Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.
Posted on 08/21/2010 5:00:05 PM PDT by markomalley
FRESNO, Calif., Aug. 21 (UPI) -- An Islamic group in Fresno, Calif., cited anti-Muslim sentiment in canceling an annual carnival held the Saturday after Ramadan because it falls on Sept. 11.
The Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno had scheduled the Eid al-Fitr carnival for Sept. 11 but decided this week to cancel the event, which features games and Middle Eastern food.
The center's leaders said the date could be misinterpreted or viewed as insensitive, given the negative reaction to a mosque and Islamic community center proposed to be built a few blocks from Ground Zero, where Islamic terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center Twin Towers in New York on Sept. 11, 2001, The Fresno Bee reported.
"The decision to cancel the carnival was due to the recent increase in levels of hostilities against Islam and Muslims following the proposal to construct an Islamic center in Lower Manhattan and to deprive extremists from the opportunity to claim that American Muslims are celebrating 9/11," center director Kamal Abu-Shamsieh said.
In the Islamic faith, the three-day Eid al-Fitr festival marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, a fasting period.
The event cancellation reflects concerns among Muslims throughout the country about the timing of Eid al-Fitr celebrations this year, Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Washington, told the Los Angeles Times.
"There's … the Islamophobia machine around the country, which would take hold of it and make it look like Muslims are celebrating on that date, when it's purely a coincidence," Hooper said.
Imam Seyed Ali Ghazvini, the Fresno center's religious leader, criticized stereotyping of American Muslims he says he sees more and more from the extreme right.
"They do not distinguish between a very small group of Muslim extremists, which we also fight, and the mainstream Islam and the mainstream Muslims," he told the Times. "This is not only un-useful, it is dangerous. It will harm our country and the name of our country and it will make us fail in the war against terrorism."
Dang i was going to steal A-10 and have some fun
Im kidding !!!!
If they were really “sensitive” they would have never set the thing for Sept. 11 in the first place.
I find it very hard to be very sympathetic.
If there was a problem of guilt by association there wouldn’t be a Muslim in this country. Not after 9/11. Keep treating this like a game and see what happens...
That’s such a dumb idea, if not the dumbest idea, to have a carnival on 9/11 by an Islamic group.
What about the Ground Zero Mosque event planned for 9/11 in NY? Is that still on? If so I’ll be there to offer an alternative opinion.
Muslim sensitivity! Well, I suppose there’s a first time for everything. Who would’ve thunk it? Isa Akbar!! (Jesus is the greatest!)
Not a chance. We're too damn polite and political.
"Citing a growing atmosphere of distrust, especially since the issue of the Islamic center near Ground Zero erupted, some plan to tone down celebrations of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan."
What about alternatives?
Move the date by a few days or a week.
Go ahead and have the "carnival" and include a public condemnation of the 9/11 attacks.
No? Well then, too bad.
“If they were really “sensitive” they would have never set the thing for Sept. 11 in the first place”
Yeah, notice they didn’t cancel because it was inappropriate.
Great taqqiya!
Ululating in the street? Not a chance, bud. I ain’t going to be labeled “sex offender” for life.
Yes!
Bingo
But what is "mainstream Islam"? From what I've seen, Osama Bin Laden best represents what "mainstream Islam" really is. The reformists and moderates are the true extremists within Islam.
What are they afraid of? A Methodist car bomber? A Presbyterian suicide bomber? ..LOL THEY are the terrorists.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.