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Giants Stadium Offers Prayer Area After Muslim Outcry
The Indy Channel ^ | November 23, 2005 | AP

Posted on 11/23/2005 5:07:01 AM PST by Abathar

NEWARK, N.J. -- The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority says it will provide a special area for anyone who wants a place to pray while at Giants Stadium or the Continental Airlines Arena -- a reaction to Muslim groups' outcries after several fans who prayed at a New York Giants game were detained and questioned by the FBI in September.

Sohail Mohammed, the lawyer for the Totowa-based American Muslim Union, met Sunday with officials from the sports authority, the FBI and private companies that work at the Meadowlands to educate them about Islam and the cultural and religious practices of Muslims.

Five Muslim men attending the Sept. 19 Giants game against the New Orleans Saints were detained and questioned for about a half hour by the FBI after they were observed praying at the stadium. The men claimed they were singled out because of their faith, but the FBI said the men were flagged by stadium security because they were in a sensitive area near the stadium's main air intake duct.

Former President George H.W. Bush was on hand that night as part of a fundraising campaign he and former President Bill Clinton were leading for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The men were allowed to return to the stadium, but in different seats, and were escorted to their cars when they left.

George Zoffinger, the sports authority president, said space will be set aside at the stadium and the arena for anyone of any faith who wishes to pray. The exact spots have not yet been designated, he said.

"I think we did this thing exactly right," Zoffinger said. "We took it seriously. We did not like the connotation that we were profiling. We weren't.

"With this agreement, we hope we've created an atmosphere where anyone can come to our facilities and feel comfortable," he said.

Mohammed said anyone who wants to use the prayer areas should approach stadium security, who usually wear yellow jackets emblazoned with the words "Event Staff," who will then direct them to the appropriate areas.

Word of the agreement is to be circulated to mosques and Islamic centers throughout the state this week, he said.

Mohammed said sports authority staff said they also may extend prayer areas to the Meadowlands Racetrack.

"I told them you won't get many Muslims using that area because gambling is forbidden in Islam, but I understand there is quite a bit of praying going on among the track patrons while the horses are running," he joked.


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: New Jersey
KEYWORDS: giantsstadium; meadowlands; muslimamericans; muslims; nfl; trop
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1 posted on 11/23/2005 5:07:02 AM PST by Abathar
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To: Abathar

Let's just keep giving them what they want. Will there be a place for Christians also?


2 posted on 11/23/2005 5:10:00 AM PST by mlc9852
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To: Abathar

This has got to be a joke. When will we have the first Ramadan Parade in lower Manhattan?


3 posted on 11/23/2005 5:10:56 AM PST by Rutles4Ever ("Fizellas! Looks like you guys are up to no good. Well, THIS gang used to be like that TOO, 3, 4)
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To: mlc9852

Nope. Only the cults need one. God can hear us anywhere.


4 posted on 11/23/2005 5:11:01 AM PST by AppyPappy (If you aren't part of the solution, there is good money to be made prolonging the problem.)
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To: mlc9852

No


5 posted on 11/23/2005 5:12:24 AM PST by Leatherneck_MT (3-7-77 (No that's not a Date))
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To: Abathar

One more reason to not like NJ.


6 posted on 11/23/2005 5:12:40 AM PST by ShadowDancer (I think I may have the Asian Bird Fru. I mean Flu. (Damn, it's starting already))
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To: Abathar

Will the hot dog guy be selling rosaries as well? I demand a Catholic room! Now! If you don't give me what I want, I'll... I'll... I'll file suit!


7 posted on 11/23/2005 5:12:42 AM PST by mtbopfuyn (Legality does not dictate morality... Lavin)
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To: Abathar
The exact spots have not yet been designated, he said.

I say right next to the dumpsters, don't like it too bad. Where's the ACLU on this?

8 posted on 11/23/2005 5:13:27 AM PST by csvset
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To: AppyPappy

Yes, with Christians it's faith and not rituals.


9 posted on 11/23/2005 5:13:33 AM PST by twas
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To: mlc9852

George Zoffinger, the sports authority president, said space will be set aside at the stadium and the arena for anyone of any faith who wishes to pray.


10 posted on 11/23/2005 5:14:19 AM PST by Tribune7
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To: Abathar
Notice who is actually providing this: The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. How long would it take the ACLU to be in court if it were Christians or Jews being accommodated?
11 posted on 11/23/2005 5:15:01 AM PST by Dahoser (Time to condense the nonsense: Terry Tate for Congressional Linebacker.)
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To: Abathar

Madness.


12 posted on 11/23/2005 5:15:37 AM PST by veronica (....."send Congressman Murtha a message: that cowards cut and run, Marines never do.")
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To: Abathar
Is there going to be a "praying" timeout?

Are we "non-muslims" going to have to wait for these cult worshippers to pray and then get back to their seats?

I say the day christians are allowed in Mecca to worship freely and fags can have a gay parade in Medina is the day I say yes, you can have a prayer room at Giants stadium!!

13 posted on 11/23/2005 5:16:49 AM PST by bubman
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To: Abathar

Stupid Appeasement! What's the last thing suicide bombers do before they blow themselves up: PRAY


14 posted on 11/23/2005 5:17:32 AM PST by wolfcreek
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To: Abathar

Kids can't pray in public schools, God forbid the Ten Commandments shows up outside a courthouse, but we accommodate Islam.


15 posted on 11/23/2005 5:17:35 AM PST by veronica (....."send Congressman Murtha a message: that cowards cut and run, Marines never do.")
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To: Abathar
Word of the agreement is to be circulated to mosques and Islamic centers throughout the state this week, he said.

Why bother? Does anyone think there are more than 5 Muslims at any given Giants game?

16 posted on 11/23/2005 5:18:07 AM PST by montag813
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To: Abathar

Why? Don't they have mosques to go to?


17 posted on 11/23/2005 5:18:08 AM PST by hershey
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To: Dahoser

Agreed. Were it a Christian or Jewish "prayer room", this is precisely the kind of case where the ACLU would dive in to protest an "establishment of religion".


18 posted on 11/23/2005 5:18:10 AM PST by angkor
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To: Abathar
Here you go.
19 posted on 11/23/2005 5:18:36 AM PST by misterrob
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To: Abathar

Hopefully they'll put hidden cameras and biohazard sniffer equipment in that prayer room.

This could actually be a good thing, used properly. Get them in one place and keep an eye on them.

LQ


20 posted on 11/23/2005 5:19:25 AM PST by LizardQueen (The world is not out to get you, except in the sense that the world is out to get everyone.)
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To: veronica
Madness.

Nah, just dhimmitude.

21 posted on 11/23/2005 5:19:26 AM PST by angkor
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To: Abathar
"With this agreement, we hope we've created an atmosphere where anyone can come to our facilities and feel comfortable," he said.

Are Muslims required to check their Martyr Belts at the door? Or is that "offensive" also?

22 posted on 11/23/2005 5:19:36 AM PST by montag813
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To: Abathar

So now the "prayer moment" will be used as a weapon or tactic to attack social events.

Next they will demand a moslem prayer time out during games. (the ACLU will sue if a christian prayer time is allowed because this is how they divide and conquer)


23 posted on 11/23/2005 5:20:52 AM PST by longtermmemmory (VOTE!)
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To: Abathar

404, link not found


24 posted on 11/23/2005 5:22:13 AM PST by sure_fine (*not one to over kill the thought process*)
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To: Tribune7; All

we used to call those "a chappel" Airports used to have them.


(/dry sarcasm)


25 posted on 11/23/2005 5:23:00 AM PST by longtermmemmory (VOTE!)
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To: Abathar

Giants Stadium Offers Prayer Area After Muslim Outcry

POSTED: 7:32 am EST November 23, 2005

NEWARK, N.J. -- The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority said it will provide a special area for anyone who wants to pray at Giants Stadium or the Continental Airlines Arena.

That's in response to Muslim groups' outcries after several fans who prayed at a New York Giants game were detained and questioned by the FBI in September.

The five men claimed they were singled out because of their Islamic faith, but the FBI said they were in a sensitive area near the stadium's main air intake duct.

Former President George H.W. Bush was on hand that night as part of a fundraising campaign he and former President Bill Clinton were leading for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

http://www.wpbfnews.com/sports/5388899/detail.html


26 posted on 11/23/2005 5:23:46 AM PST by sure_fine (*not one to over kill the thought process*)
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To: Abathar

Just forwarded the link to your post to Robert Spencer at Dhimmmi Watch/Jihad Watch, http://www.jihadwatch.org/dhimmiwatch/


27 posted on 11/23/2005 5:24:10 AM PST by angkor
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To: Abathar
The PC police seem more than comfortable with Islam making inroads into Western culture. That same PC police have decried Christian and Jewish influences in Western culture for decades.

It seems the PC crowd (and PC is predominately a Socialist/Marxist concept) have chosen sides in the culture wars, and they have chosen Islam.


Western civilization and culture needs an awakening. Apparently 911 wasn't it. Apparently the Muslim riots in France wasn't it. Apparently the bombings in Madrid, London, Bali weren't it.

Too bad we seem to have forgotten Western history from 700 to 1300. Too bad we have forgotten that the first major foreign conflict the new United States of America was engaged in was with the Barbary Pirates (Muslims) in north Africa.

We are in a war of civilizations. We are in World War III (or IV, depending on who officially numbers them), and it is a clash of cultures.
28 posted on 11/23/2005 5:24:11 AM PST by TomGuy
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To: Abathar
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority says it will provide a special area for anyone who wants a place to pray

The Giants aren't doing that bad, they're leading their division. What do they want, a perfect record?

29 posted on 11/23/2005 5:24:29 AM PST by BlueYonder
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To: mlc9852

Seems like a tactical decision to preempt litigation.


30 posted on 11/23/2005 5:26:05 AM PST by verity (Don't let your children grow up to be mainstream media maggots.)
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To: Abathar

How about they just stay out of Giant's stadium, or pray quietly in their seats?


31 posted on 11/23/2005 5:27:25 AM PST by Maceman (Fake but accurate -- and now double-sourced)
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To: Abathar
Uh.... where's the ACLU? What they are doing is unconstitutional.

Giants Stadium and the Continental Airlines Arena, along with a myriad of other places are run and "ownwed" by The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which is a GOVERNMENT entity.

About NJSEA
"BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS NEW JERSEY SPORTS AND EXPOSITION AUTHORITY"

The 14-member Board of Commissioners is appointed by the Governor to four-year terms, subject to confirmation by the New Jersey Senate, and it includes three "ex officio" members: the Authority President, State Treasurer, and a designated representative of the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission. The Authority holds regularly scheduled meetings which are open to the public. The minutes of all Authority meetings are subject to approval by the Governor.

Seems to me like we have a 'tiny' issue of Seperation of Church & State here.

32 posted on 11/23/2005 5:27:27 AM PST by Condor51 (Leftists are moral and intellectual parasites - Standing Wolf)
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To: Abathar
Mahammedans are so freakin' holy they "pray" while sawing off someones head.
33 posted on 11/23/2005 5:27:55 AM PST by isrul
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To: Abathar
They must have a place where they can conspire privately. How else are they going to bomb a stadium with all those nosy onlookers watching their every move?

Actually, this is a golden opportunity to practice the politics of exclusion. The stadium owners are not obligated in any way to provide such a facility, and by denying these vermin a place to swarm, they send the signal that they do not want them at their stadium. They are not welcome. Go home. Go somewhere where your murderous practices are appreciated. Hell comes to mind ...

34 posted on 11/23/2005 5:28:21 AM PST by IronJack
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To: AppyPappy
Exactly, Christians can pray anytime, anywhere. Besides, if we gather all the Muslims in one place, we can keep a better eye on them. Install the surveillance cameras please.
35 posted on 11/23/2005 5:28:24 AM PST by bella1
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To: Abathar
Not much of a "god" since it apparently doesn't have the ability to hear but at certain times of the day. Maybe that's the problem, their "god" is partially deaf? And that's why it takes a group of people praying at the same time for it to hear them. Maybe it needs one of those cochlear implants so it can understand that the Imams are trying to take over the world by force.

How can Muslims go to a sports events anyway? They play music at them and music is taboo in Islam.

36 posted on 11/23/2005 5:32:43 AM PST by isthisnickcool (Eternity? Smoking or nonsmoking?)
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To: Rutles4Ever

Just a thought........how about a special area for muslims.........right under the urnals might be nice!


37 posted on 11/23/2005 5:36:54 AM PST by newcthem (Madison: Twenty square miles surrounded on all sides by reality)
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To: Abathar
Okay, how about if a number of Christians, including some Roman Catholics, go to Giants Stadium or the Continental Airlines Arena and the Protestants start a prayer circle and the Catholics start praying the Rosary.

YES, I know what the Bible says about praying in public, however, fight fire with fire. Fight the fire of h3ll with the fire of heaven!

I repeat Fight the fire of h3ll with the Fire of Heaven.

38 posted on 11/23/2005 5:37:02 AM PST by HighlyOpinionated (In Memory of Crockett Nicolas, hit and run in the prime of his Cocker Spaniel life, 9/3/05.)
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To: Rutles4Ever
When will we have the first Ramadan Parade in lower Manhattan?

Lower Manhattan? If NYC progressives have any integrity,the parade will take place on Central Park west.

39 posted on 11/23/2005 5:37:52 AM PST by Gay State Conservative
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To: mlc9852

I wonder what action the Giants Stadium took when the "John 3:16" signs were getting banned from pro sports events a few years ago.


40 posted on 11/23/2005 5:38:38 AM PST by Mr. Brightside
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To: Abathar

I don't want them to get this because of the way the commies want to to accommadate everyone except US. I will not give up GOD, America, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Santa Claus. These factions don't want to get along with anyone, The Enemy from within and the Muslims want to destroy us. God Bless America and All Who Have and Will Defend Her.


41 posted on 11/23/2005 5:42:49 AM PST by JOE43270 (JOE43270 America voted and said we are One Nation Under God with Liberty and Justice for All.)
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To: Abathar
NEWARK, N.J. -- The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority says it will provide a special area for anyone who wants a place to pray while at Giants Stadium or the Continental Airlines Arena

The area will be designated the Bomb Assembly Area.

42 posted on 11/23/2005 5:45:21 AM PST by Always Right
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To: Abathar

Fine. Just draw a yellow circle in the middle of the concourse for them. That should do it.


43 posted on 11/23/2005 5:47:40 AM PST by Rummyfan
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To: Tribune7

Would they have done this if it had been Christians requesting it first?


44 posted on 11/23/2005 5:49:19 AM PST by mlc9852
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To: montag813

All it takes is one with a suicide belt.


45 posted on 11/23/2005 5:50:03 AM PST by mlc9852
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To: verity

So that's what it all comes down to? Cave with the threat of being sued? Score another for the ACLU.


46 posted on 11/23/2005 5:51:09 AM PST by mlc9852
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To: Abathar

Further, no one in the twenty or so years of the Meadowlands had a problem until a group of Mad Mo worshippers had their feelings hurt. This is simply insane. I don't give a rat's rear about Muslim sensibilities. How about how they upset the sensibilities of three thousand Americans on September 11th 2001? And this compensates for the set-aside of a Christian area in Mecca? Oh forgot about that.... a Christian is not even allowed to be in Mecca, and a Jew can't even visit the country of Saudi Arabia.


47 posted on 11/23/2005 5:51:39 AM PST by Rummyfan
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To: isthisnickcool

"How can Muslims go to a sports events anyway? They play music at them and music is taboo in Islam."

And what about the cheerleaders??? I'm sure they cover their eyes so as not to be offended.


48 posted on 11/23/2005 5:52:01 AM PST by mlc9852
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To: Rummyfan

Your right, this appeasement sickens me.


49 posted on 11/23/2005 5:53:02 AM PST by Abathar (Proudly catching hell for posting without reading since 2004)
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To: Abathar; Ultra Sonic 007

Muslim Football League ping.

50 posted on 11/23/2005 5:53:17 AM PST by Cagey (Some men are Baptists, others Catholics, my father was an Oldsmobile man.)
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