Some Muslims Avoid July 4 Events

AP | 7/04/02 | WAYNE PARRY

[kattracks]

NEWARK, N.J., Jul 04, 2002 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- Mohamed El Filali like some other Muslims across the nation plans to avoid large public gatherings over the holiday for fear he'll be mistaken for a terrorist by edgy law enforcement officers or suspicious citizens.

"As a Muslim, especially during this specific holiday, I have a concern of being racially profiled by the police and the federal agents," said El Filali, an official with the American Muslim Union based in nearby Paterson.

In the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, carried out by Islamic extremists, El Filali's fears are being echoed by Muslims across the country - particularly in light of nonspecific warnings of possible attacks timed to coincide with Independence Day.

The FBI and state and local police plan to have undercover officers at major July Fourth events - baseball games, parades and fireworks displays - with the express purpose of spotting potential terrorists.

"Every time there is a high alert, Muslims have to be on a higher alert for a backlash," said Sohail Mohammed, an immigration attorney from Clifton. He planned to be out of the country on the Fourth of July, taking in Niagara Falls from the Canadian side of the border.

Muslims, and particularly Arab-Americans, are deeply concerned about how they are perceived this Independence Day, said Ra'id Faraj, a spokesman for the Council on Islamic-American Relations of Southern California.

"They don't want to be targets because of their ethnicity or background," he said.

As a result, many plan to simply stay home.

"I know so many Muslims who would love to take part in (July Fourth celebrations) but are afraid of what some ignorant people might do, either members of the public or uninformed law enforcement officers," said Hani Awadallah, president of the Arab-American Civic Organization in Paterson.

He said the topic was recently discussed in a local mosque, and at least 15 people said they wanted no part of any Independence Day crowds, fearing the hassle it might bring.

Sandra Carroll, a spokeswoman for the Newark FBI office, said Muslims should not be afraid to celebrate the holiday.

"Just because of their dress or nationality, they won't be treated any differently than any other citizen," she said.

Not all Muslims are afraid. Aysha Mirza, a Rutgers University student, will be among those watching fireworks Thursday night.

"Anyone who covers and wears hijab and is Muslim-looking, I can understand that they would be scared," she said. "But my loyalty to this country and my patriotism is not something to be questioned. We love this country as much as anybody else does."

A leader of the Detroit area's large Arab-American community said he was not aware of Muslims avoiding public celebrations of Independence Day.

"On the contrary," said Imad Hamad, Midwest regional director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. "The spirit is really up and people are really excited about it."

---

On the Net:

American-Arab Anti-Discrimination: http://www.adc.org

By WAYNE PARRY Associated Press Writer

Copyright 2002 Associated Press, All rights reserved

[kattracks]

Although these groups are vocal concerning their fears, there still hasn't been a huge outcry from them condeming the terrorist's actions

[Howlin]

Exactly. The people in this country would welcome ANY sign that they don't tolerate the actions of their "brothers" with open arms.

Still waiting...

[dokmad]

"As a Muslim, especially during this specific holiday, I have a concern of being racially profiled by the police and the federal agents,"

This is really starting to irritate me! Are we supposed to feel bad? Whay have'nt these "American Muslims" condemmed the terrorists for putting them in this position? Why has'nt there been an outcry from them blaming the alqueda and other radical extremist murderers directly for their new found woes? They would rather do what American liberals have taught them to do! Whine, cry and hide behind the race card! Frankly, i'm sick of it.

Muslims in America, DEAL with it and put the blame where it belongs!

[corlorde]

"As a Muslim, especially during this specific holiday, I have a concern of being racially profiled by the police and the federal agents,"


Yes it's all a big conspiracy against the poor muslims. It has nothing to do with the mass murder of 3000 people in the US.


As a sign of protest, all arabs/Islamacrazies/musliwacko 's should pack up and "hit the trail" (that'll teach us a lesson) LMAO!

[Catholicguy]

I have a concern of being racially profiled by the police and the federal agents,"

I have a fear they won't be.

[meenie]

They have really swallowed the injustice of this racial profiling that the press and politicians have pushed. They will be lapdogs forever for the liberal crowd.

[peteram]

"As a Muslim, especially during this specific holiday, I have a concern of being racially profiled by the police and the federal agents,"

They can thank their "bretheren" overseas for this situation. Unfortunately, a lot of people of many national heritages are feeling limited in their movements (in regard to their safety) these days, thanks to the perpetrators of 9/11

[MrNeutron1962]

Better yet, why not go to the mosk (sic on purpose)and pray to the moon rock god that nothing does happen. Because if it does, at least you all will be easy to find and round up, bathered together yell alli oxen free and all. It will make 1942 California look like a kiddie day camp.

[Howlin]

See there, Freepers are FULL of good ideas! :-)

[Tripleplay]

I live in SE Michigan, where Dearborn is, the largest concentration of arabs in America. The local liberal news constantly reports this "victim profiling". You never, never hear about the possiblity that the local mosques could be aiding and abetting the next terrorist attack.

Somehow, I find it hard to believe that all of Dearborn will be celebratig the July 4 holiday.

[Starwind]

Still waiting...

I trust you're not holding your breath...

[snippy_about_it]

"...said Hani Awadallah, president of the Arab-American Civic Organization in Paterson."


From the article link:"Paterson is where a half-dozen of the hijackers rented an apartment shortly before the Sept. 11 attacks"


FBI, New Jersey Police Looking for Muslims (to join)
http://www.beliefnet.com/story /106/story_10683_2.html

Mr. El Filali should have signed up to help fight terrorism, he might feel safer.

[Vinnie]

Mohamed El Filali like some other Muslims across the nation plans to avoid large public gatherings over the holiday for fear he'll be mistaken for a terrorist by edgy law enforcement officers or suspicious citizens.

OR they know something we don't know.

[metesky]

Yet, despite all the mewling, puerile whining, I have yet to see any semblance of the treatment these scoundrels claim to be recieving.

Pre-emptive caterwauling, if you ask me.

[TLBSHOW]

And do we care what they think. Let them hide away from the events, who wants them there anyways. Til they all stand up against terrorism they should dtay clear of real Americans!

[HiTech RedNeck]

yuppers. a few american mullahs have stepped up and publicly protested "hey, this flying airplanes into buildings stuff isn't real(tm) islam" -- but the silence is mostly deafening.

[Howlin]

You know what, I saw a "public service ad" on TV last night, proclaiming lots of hate crimes since 9-11 and for us all to love each other; the usual suspects, wish I could remember who, bunch of Hollywoodites.

It was really weird, especially since we have seen articles on this very forum that there is absolutely NO proof that crimes against Muslims/Islamics has risen.

[Timesink]

Well, this is all a darn shame. Please pass the mustard!

[TLBSHOW]

Best thing to tell these terrorist lovers is the next attack against America we will blow up mecca. We will close down their false religion centers across America. All of them.

If it happens again after that we will bulldose their homes. Detain them in camps. The list is endless.

[San Jacinto]

Some Muslims Avoid July 4 Events

Like they would give a rat's @ss about the 4th in the first place. They just like to whine about something.