Jon Stewart spoke about the Ground Zero mosque in his show in a segment I recommend you to watch.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
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Now Newt Gingrich is saying that why we should let that Mosque "Islamic Center" to be specific in the States when Saudi Arabia does not allow churches and synagogues !!
Strangely I have heard this before but not in English but in French , Jean Marie Le Pen said the same thing during the French presidential election in 2007 !!!
Now I wonder if it were not the Cordoba organization and it were Al Azhar which is perceived as the most moderate Islamic organization in the world was behind this center , would all those opponents refuse it !!?? It is not about Cordoba or about the Qaida I am afraid , it is about accepting Islam as portrayed in Daily Show segment.
There are Muslim victims who died in the 9/11 other than the Al Qaida gang whose families read the Quran and visit the Holy land in Mecca to do Omra and Hajj in their honors , there are thousands of American Muslims who have contributed and are still contributing so much to advance of the United States whether in Science or technology or economy..etc since 1950s and they do not deserve this treatment and this increase notion of racism and hate.
It is not about mosques because as Muslims we can pray anywhere clean but it is about racism and hate and what these groups are spreading is dangerous.
I disagree with Newt Gingrich or Jean Marie Le Pen. Western culture is superior to the culture of Saudi Arabia. Mosque should be allowed as long as it is paid by Muslim money.
ReplyDeleteThe thing which must be stopped is how our governments saying "Islam is peaceful" etc. that is not our government's business. We are free to decide or say.
it were Al Azhar
I would be the same as Al Ahzar is bigoted, racist and dogmatic organization. As a proof one can just read your fav Haykal's biography of Mohammed accepted by al Ahzar.
People should be left alone to worship and practice their religion in peace.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately problems start when religious leaders and governments think of others as children of lesser Gods.
Egyptians and other Arab religious leaders and their governments should look how they treat and have treated Jews, Christians, Baha'i, Shiaa, Sufis before acting in a puritanical way.
Gingrich and La Pen are extremist idiots who represent a small segment of the US and French people.
As a matter of fact extremist Muslims who escape from their own countries practice freely in the West.
As an Egyptian Christian I do not deserve to be told in my own country everyday that 'Islam is the only religion recognized by God'.
So stop acting as if our sh@t does not smell!
I was going to email you links about this story, Z, but I didn't think it was Egyptian enough for you.
ReplyDeleteI say it should be up to Americans and New Yorkers. If you look at this poll breakdown, practically no one in New York City wants it, Manhattanites being the one exception. Americans as a whole are 68% against it. On the O'Reilly Factor, here's Canadian Muslim Congress member Raheel Raza speaking against the mosque location. I think it's important for Egyptian Chronicles readers to watch it even though Bill O'Reilly is repellent to them. Pay attention at 3:40 in the video and listen to what O'Reilly says about the mosque's chances of getting built.
This is a fairly close call for me because I don't like the government to regulate anything to do with houses of worship including their location. It seems like a violation of separation of church and state. On the other hand, if the mosque can be barred through zoning regulations that are not church-specific, then requiring them to build it farther away seems OK. And I think this is often the case. For example, sex-oriented businesses are sometimes excluded from locations just because they're not wanted.
With regard to Jon Stewart's specific points (1) that we should build it there to prove we're better than Saudi Arabia; No. Saudi Arabia's church-building policies are irrelevant to the matter of whether it should be built adjacent to Ground Zero. (2) That other mosque sites in the US have faced opposition; irrelevant. Those communities also have a right to regulate building through zoning laws.
There were 1462 mosques in the USA as of 2007.
@John:
ReplyDelete"Western culture is superior to the culture of Saudi Arabia." Hahahah what a load of crap. No you are not superior to any one, especially as far as accepting the other is concerned. Muslim societies have done way better on that point and way long before what we call the West became civilized. Its exactly that mind set that leads to calls such as the frantic activism against the Masjed and the calls to burn the Holy Qur'an ect.
@Egyptian Christian expat Anon: Go and read the real history of Muslim existence in Egypt. If it wasnt for their coming and their tolerance there wouldnt have been any Orthodox Egyptians left in the country thanks to the Romans. Tolerance of the other was the norm and disrespecting other religions was the exception, something that took the West hundreds of years to emulate. Extremist Christians are also allowed a lot of freedom in the West and they are not different from muslim or other religions extremists.
Enough with the drama, who and when was telling you every day that Islam is the only religion recognized by God?!!! And isnt it a fact that for you as a Christian you deny our prophet and our religion and consider us lost and will end up in hell?!!! Why is it so difficult to state the position of ones religion from the other and why would I be hurt when you say so unless I have my own doubts about my own religion?!! I find it sad that Im able to openly discuss my faith with my foreign christian friends and the same with them w/o any sensitivities but never to be able to do the same with my Christian friends and neighbors.
You are right the shit of extremists including Egyptian Christian extremists is very smelly and I recommend that the answer to a better Egypt isnt a battle against Islam or Egyptian Muslims and dealing with them as invaders ect or fleeing the country under false claims of persecution, which sadly many Christian Egyptians do to get a proper Western passport but to face extremism on each side and to make sure that those who think they hold the keys to heavens on the Christian and Muslim clerks wont mess up with our minds and our country.
Muslim societies have done way better on that point and way long before what we call the West became civilized
ReplyDeleteI wonder, it is completely fine to say that Muslim societies are better (ie superior), but to say that Western society is superior to Muslim society leads to "the frantic activism".
I now see it, thanks 8)
Great post, and I am grateful for the tie you've made between Le Pen and the current Republican party (or general ignorance). People have likened Le Pen to a fascist along the lines of Hitler, but the irony lies in how no one seems to make the connection when it's just Republicans protecting the "heartland" of America or the holy site of ground zero.
ReplyDeleteLast Anon: If Islam is SO tolerant why is it in conflict with everyone else...
ReplyDeleteS. Thailand: Muslims vs Buddhists
S. Philippines: Muslims vs Christians
Sudan and Nigeria: Muslims vs Christians and Animists
Iran: Muslims vs Baha'iis
Kashmir: Muslims vs Hindus
Chechnya: Muslims vs Christians
Israel: Muslims vs Jews
...and with itself
N. Africa: Arab Muslims vs Berber Muslims
Iraq: Sunnis vs Shiites
Sudan: Arab Muslims vs Black Muslims
Syria: Alawites vs MB
etc etc
@Anon 1:35
ReplyDeleteYou're intentionally ignoring the facts. As usual, Muslims point out what Islam did 1000 years ago but ignore what you are doing today. Here is the reality in Egypt (I am not even going to discuss the disgusting Saudi society):
- Churches are subject to special conditions for their construction, which makes it very difficult for them to get approval. They even have to get the approval of their Muslim neighbors! Can you imagine having to go to Christian and Jewish neighbors in New York to get permission to build a mosque, especially one which will be funded by foreigners?!
- It is impossible to legally convert from Islam to Christianity or any other religion. I don't care about Shari'a; if someone wants to leave Islam, he should not be subject to Islamic law.
- Christians cannot talk freely about their religion to Muslims. Muslim proselytizing is welcomed and funded by the government; Christian proselytizing will land you in jail. How can you expect to speak freely with Copts and expect them to openly discuss their beliefs?
Religious freedom is difficult. It means accepting people who have fundamentally different views from you, and giving them the same rights as the majority. On this count, all Muslim countries without exception have failed. Western countries are generally better, although there is a mix of successes and failures. The USA is clearly one of the most tolerant societies, not because the people like Islam or are especially open-minded, but because its constitution is uniquely influential.
Regarding the New York mosque, what is happening now is exactly what should happen in free countries: there is a public discussion and opponents have an opportunity to speak without fear, but in the end the rights of minorities are protected. The mosque will be built.
The Ground Zero Mosque Website has been caught scrubbing evidence of its Iranian connections.
ReplyDeleteGreg Gutfeld has announced plans, if the Ground Zero Mosque does get built, to build a Muslim-friendly gay bar adjacent to it. This is not a joke.
ReplyDelete"I'm announcing that I am planning to build the first gay bar that caters not only to the West, but also Islamic gay men. To best express my sincere desire for dialogue, the bar will be situated next to the mosque Park 51 in an available commercial space.
Now, I've already spoken to a number of investors, who have pledged their support in this bipartisan bid for understanding and tolerance. As you know, the Muslim faith doesn't look kindly upon homosexuality, which is why I'm building this bar. It is an effort to break down barriers and reduce deadly homophobia in the Islamic world.
The goal, however, is not simply to open a typical gay bar, but one friendly to Islamic faith. An entire floor, for example, will feature non-alcoholic drinks, since booze is forbidden by the faith. The bar will be open all day and night to accommodate men who wish to keep their sexuality under wraps, but still want to dance."
Names under consideration include Heaven and Halal, Suspicious Package, and others.
@Jason I read about this from couple of days ago and I believe it is a free country , it will not insult Muslims as much it will insult him
ReplyDelete@Jason 7:16 PM
ReplyDeleteI can hear Arab gay men singing.....
Start spreadin' the news, I'm leavin' today,I want to be a part of it, New York, New York
The Canadian.
AS-SALAMU ALAYKUM, lead story on Drudge Report at this moment. Mosque controversy swirls around Obama.
ReplyDelete