[Peter]

Motaz Elshafi, 28, a software engineer, casually opened an internal e-mail at work last month. The message began, "Dear Terrorist."
The note from a co-worker was sent to Muslims working at Cisco Systems in Research Triangle Park, N.C., a few days after train bombings in India that killed 207. The e-mail warned that such violent acts wouldn't intimidate people, but only make them stronger.

Its sick and sad how ignorant people are becoming recently

Thirty-nine percent of respondents to the USA TODAY/Gallup Poll said they felt at least some prejudice against Muslims. The same percentage favored requiring Muslims, including U.S. citizens, to carry a special ID "as a means of preventing terrorist attacks in the United States." About one-third said U.S. Muslims were sympathetic to al-Qaeda, and 22% said they wouldn't want Muslims as neighbors.

Linky

sad stuff.

[mac128k-1984]

At the moment can you really blame people.
For instance, a few monnths back(or was it last year I forget), at home depot near where I live, a couple of Muslims were shopping. All of a sudden they pulled out some rugs, kneeled down and started praying in a very loud manner. If there are home depots in the UK then you know how cavernous the place is and how easily loud noises echo. It caused a stampede because they thought they had bombs strapped to themselves.

Muslims are the only religion in the modern area that proposes violence to the non-believers. Not all Muslims agree with that but enough to get people worried.

That does not excuse the email, but it does excuse people's distrust and unease.

[moodymonster]

those Muslims in home depot... twats

[mojo2]

If I was a smart peace loving Muslim I'd think real hard about how to create a system or organization which would let a nervous America know that I was not a threat.

Just an example...

There's a question that will help cull potential threats from non-threats.

Is your highest allegiance to America or Islam?

I would create an organization which would allow people who have sworn allegiance to America to allow that fact to be known.

Or SOMETHING.

[Zeeb]

Originally Posted by mac128k-1984

At the moment can you really blame people.
For instance, a few monnths back(or was it last year I forget), at home depot near where I live, a couple of Muslims were shopping. All of a sudden they pulled out some rugs, kneeled down and started praying in a very loud manner. If there are home depots in the UK then you know how cavernous the place is and how easily loud noises echo. It caused a stampede because they thought they had bombs strapped to themselves.

Muslims are the only religion in the modern area that proposes violence to the non-believers. Not all Muslims agree with that but enough to get people worried.

That does not excuse the email, but it does excuse people's distrust and unease.

Yeah, you can really blame people for their ignorance and bigotry. Most muslims who live and/or born in the U.S. just want to make a living like everyone else. They don't want to blow up the country in which they have their family, home and job. Why would they do that? At least not more than any other non-muslim citizen that is.

Sounds like the muslims at the home depot might have done that to make a point about bigotry and to reveal how prejudiced, scared and irrational people are.

[mac128k-1984]

Originally Posted by mojo2

I would create an organization which would allow people who have sworn allegiance to America to allow that fact to be known.

And that would stop some of the more radical muslims from strapping bombs on themselves. Clearly if they're willing to blow up trains, plains and such swearing an oath (and not meaning it) is of little consequence for them.

[moodymonster]

Originally Posted by Zeeb

Sounds like the muslims at the home depot might have done that to make a point about bigotry and to reveal how prejudiced, scared and irrational people are.

most people aren't going to get down on the ground and start praying loudly while shopping. Sounds more like they're a bit nuts or taking the piss. Given the current events around the world; upon hearing someone praying loudly in an unexpected place, running would be a prudent decision.

I've never witnessed anyone getting down a praying in a shop - if I did I'd think they were mental.

If I was on the tube and heard someone start praying loudly in Arabic - I wouldn't hesitate to knock them unconscious (provided I could). It's one of those situations you don't have time to think. I also think everyone else on the carriage would have the same idea.

[mojo2]

Originally Posted by mac128k-1984

And that would stop some of the more radical muslims from strapping bombs on themselves. Clearly if they're willing to blow up trains, plains and such swearing an oath (and not meaning it) is of little consequence for them.

I hope some of you are starting to see how the president's actions might have been necessary.

[screamingFit]

We have the call to prayer where I work. I lived in a city where the call to prayer was put over loudspeakers. I have no problem with it and am used to it. If I saw someone of Islamic faith praying at a Home Depot, my first response isn't going to be "OMG! They're wanting to blow up a home improvement store!!".

Highest allegiance to Islam or America? You've got to be kidding me, Mojo. How many Christians are going to say "America before God"??

[moodymonster]

if people are expecting to see people praying then I don't have a problem with it, although they could do it quietly.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by mac128k-1984

At the moment can you really blame people.
For instance, a few monnths back(or was it last year I forget), at home depot near where I live, a couple of Muslims were shopping. All of a sudden they pulled out some rugs, kneeled down and started praying in a very loud manner. If there are home depots in the UK then you know how cavernous the place is and how easily loud noises echo. It caused a stampede because they thought they had bombs strapped to themselves.

Muslims are the only religion in the modern area that proposes violence to the non-believers. Not all Muslims agree with that but enough to get people worried.

That does not excuse the email, but it does excuse people's distrust and unease.

[screamingFit]

Originally Posted by mojo2

If I was a smart peace loving Muslim I'd think real hard about how to create a system or organization which would let a nervous America know that I was not a threat.

Just an example...

There's a question that will help cull potential threats from non-threats.



I would create an organization which would allow people who have sworn allegiance to America to allow that fact to be known.

Or SOMETHING.

Maybe something like what Hitler did to identify Jews. That'd be cool.

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by mojo2

I would create an organization which would allow people who have sworn allegiance to America to allow that fact to be known.

That only sounds fair if the Christians on this board are willing to swear allegiance to America over their Christian god.

[Mastrap]

One of the main problems, as I see it, is that there have been few public statements by the Muslim community denouncing the violence.

There has been no demonstration on the streets of London after last year's bomb attacks on the subway, just as an example. No Muslim statement that says in a public way "You are not speaking for me and I denounce everything you stand for." Instead there's been a lot of denial and the search for scapegoats. That doesn't make it easy for the rest of society.

[screamingFit]

Originally Posted by Mastrap

One of the main problems, as I see it, is that there have been few public statements by the Muslim community denouncing the violence.

There has been no demonstration on the streets of London after last year's bomb attacks on the subway, just as an example. No Muslim statement that says in a public way "You are not speaking for me and I denounce everything you stand for." Instead there's been a lot of denial and the search for scapegoats. That doesn't make it easy for the rest of society.

How many Christians took to the streets after Christian fundamentalists kill abortion performing doctors??

[mojo2]

Originally Posted by screamingFit

We have the call to prayer where I work. I lived in a city where the call to prayer was put over loudspeakers. I have no problem with it and am used to it. If I saw someone of Islamic faith praying at a Home Depot, my first response isn't going to be "OMG! They're wanting to blow up a home improvement store!!".

Highest allegiance to Islam or America? You've got to be kidding me, Mojo. How many Christians are going to say "America before God"??

Hmmm...maybe you are right.

But when push comes to shove I needn't worry that...

You know the problem.

[mojo2]

Originally Posted by mac128k-1984

At the moment can you really blame people.
For instance, a few monnths back(or was it last year I forget), at home depot near where I live, a couple of Muslims were shopping. All of a sudden they pulled out some rugs, kneeled down and started praying in a very loud manner. If there are home depots in the UK then you know how cavernous the place is and how easily loud noises echo. It caused a stampede because they thought they had bombs strapped to themselves.

Muslims are the only religion in the modern area that proposes violence to the non-believers. Not all Muslims agree with that but enough to get people worried.

That does not excuse the email, but it does excuse people's distrust and unease.

And it should be pointed out that the Muslims who fail to take up armed jihad are neglecting their Islamic duty in this regard and are in opposition to the instructions in the Koran of Allah.

[Mastrap]

Originally Posted by mojo2

And it should be pointed out that the Muslims who fail to take up armed jihad are neglecting their Islamic duty in this regard and are in opposition to the instructions in the Koran of Allah.

It should be pointed out that anybody who doesn't live by the ten commandments, unfailingly, is neglecting their Christian duty and is in opposition to the instructions in the Holy Bible.

[mojo2]

Originally Posted by screamingFit

Maybe something like what Hitler did to identify Jews. That'd be cool.

What you don't understand is that there may well come a day when a modern day equivalent to the Nazi's terrible yellow stars mandated to identify the hated, "JUDEN" might be considered an insignificant evil compared to what might be called for by the majority of non-Muslims in the West. If wearing a star prevented innocent Muslims from being beaten up in the streets or worse, then I'd say they may not like it but if it guaranteed their safety then it would be seen differently than you seem to see the idea.

The Nazi stars weren't evil in and of themselves, they were nothing more than a means to achieve a horrendous evil.

And just because there might come a time when a similar method of identification might be needed doesn't mean the two situations are the same.

We took members of our population to internment camps. Are you saying they were the same as the Nazis taking Jews to concentration camps?

I am not proposing anything but I am posing the question of how we can protect non-Muslims and also protect peace loving Muslims?

[screamingFit]

Originally Posted by mojo2

And it should be pointed out that the Muslims who fail to take up armed jihad are neglecting their Islamic duty in this regard and are in opposition to the instructions in the Koran of Allah.

Have you studied or read the Koran? Are you a Muslim?

My point being, you are not a Muslim. In fact, I doubt you know any Muslims. I also doubt you have a firm understanding of the teachings of Allah. Until then, please don't regurgitate spin you've seen on TV or read on the web.

Another point being, if Christians followed the Christian bible to a 'T', there would be a whole heap of killing going on by them, too.

[jokell82]

Originally Posted by mojo2

And it should be pointed out that the Muslims who fail to take up armed jihad are neglecting their Islamic duty in this regard and are in opposition to the instructions in the Koran of Allah.

Wow, you really don't know much about Islam, do you?

[MacNStein]

Originally Posted by Dakar

That only sounds fair if the Christians on this board are willing to swear allegiance to America over their Christian god.

Why did you include "over"?

Praying loudly in Home Depot = Attention Whore

[MacNStein]

Originally Posted by screamingFit

How many Christians took to the streets after Christian fundamentalists kill abortion performing doctors??

and that happened how often, and how many were killed? That's a big damned strawman, buddy.

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by MacNStein

Why did you include "over"?

Because I thought that's what he was asking the muslims to do?

Originally Posted by MacNStein

Praying loudly in Home Depot = Attention Whore

Ok. I'm not sure what this has to do with anything.

[mojo2]

Originally Posted by screamingFit

How many Christians took to the streets after Christian fundamentalists kill abortion performing doctors??

The LAW speaks for us. The police arrest those people. The prosecutors prosecute them. The penal system incarcerates or executes them. The police and our man made laws and our courts are an expression of our collective will.

There are few if any Muslim protests, there is no official nor effective equivalent expression of moderate Muslim will against the terrorists.

Why?

(...because) Islam’s goal is to conquer the entire world, all of humankind, by force if necessary, to set up Koranic law, convert as many people to Islam as possible, and to destroy polytheism and disbelief.

The Muslims who are moderate know they are being religiously negligent by NOT becoming jihadists. So how can they rise up against the ones who are doing their duty?

[tooki]

Peter: please use the Political lounge for political topics.

tooki