Muslims tread carefully around proposed mosque near ground zero
American Muslims are treading carefully through the political minefield surrounding the proposed Islamic center near ground zero in New York 鈥� issuing warnings but not wanting to overreact to a recent series of desecrations and vandalism at mosques around the country, encouraging adherents to participate in a 鈥�9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance,鈥� and changing plans for celebrating the end of Ramadan.
As the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, approaches the caution may be justified.
Acts of vandalism 鈥� which law enforcement officials are investigating as hate crimes 鈥� have been directed at mosques in Madera, Calif., Murfreesboro, Tenn., and other places around the country. Remnants of a pipe bomb were found at a mosque in Jacksonville, Fla. Playground equipment was burned and vulgar graffiti found at the Dar El-Eman Islamic Education Center, in South Arlington, Tex.
In Gainesville, Fla., the pastor of the 鈥�Dove World Outreach Center,鈥� a small , has announced that he will burn copies of the Koran on Sept. 11 鈥� a provocative event that has been criticized by the and the .
In a cover piece in 海角大神 weekly magazine, Harry Brunius describes a 鈥渧ortex of discord sweeping over the country [which] has exposed a deep-seated mistrust, if not outright phobia, of Muslims trying to establish a place in America.鈥�
鈥淭here is no more symbolically loaded space in America today than ground zero,鈥� University of Richmond religious scholar Douglas Hicks told Brunius. 鈥淭hen you mix in religion, and the 'T' word 鈥� terrorism 鈥� and you get this explosive, unholy mix.鈥�
In response, Muslim congregations around the country are changing plans for the typical three-day festivities at the end of the holy month of Ramadan 鈥� which is likened to Christmas for 海角大神s and which happens to fall on Sept. 11 this year.
The Islamic Circle of North America rescheduled its annual 鈥淢uslim Family Days鈥� at Six Flags amusement parks, and the Islamic Cultural Center in Fresno, Calif., canceled its post-Ramadan carnival, which typically includes games, pony rides for kids, and Middle Eastern food.
鈥淲e thought it might be misunderstood and create a wave of attacks on our faith and community,鈥� Imam Seyed Ali Ghazvini, the cultural center鈥檚 religious leader, .
Following recent attacks and an increase in anti-Muslim rhetoric, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) issued a to members of the Arab, Muslim, South Asian and Sikh-American communities.
Among other things, it advises places of worship to have 鈥渁n emergency plan that can be implemented should the need arise,鈥� lists FBI field offices to report incidents, and urges parents to report incidents of bullying or harassment at schools.
This past week, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced a national public service announcement campaign featuring Muslims who were first responders during the 9/11 terrorist attacks and 鈥渄esigned to challenge the growing anti-Muslim bigotry sparked by opposition to the planned Park51 [Islamic center] project in Manhattan.鈥�
鈥淭he stepped-up rhetorical and physical attacks on the American Muslim community and Islam require a positive, proactive response that will help counter the almost hysterical campaign of misinformation by a vocal minority of bigots,鈥� said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. 鈥淭hese public service announcements have the potential to reach millions of Americans with a message of religious inclusion and mutual understanding.鈥�
Last month, CAIR issued an online to help Muslims organize local education and outreach initiatives tied to events such as a 鈥淣ational Day of Unity and Healing鈥� on the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.
