Muslims opt out of protests [Paterson, NJ]

Daily Record (NJ) ^ | 3-30-03 | Abbott Koloff

[Pharmboy]

PATERSON -- Anti-war protesters said they had come to show support for the city's large Muslim community Saturday, but only a small group of people from the neighborhood joined them.

Some Muslims, watching from across the street, said they were suspicious of the protesters' motives. They remembered the backlash against them after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks when radio talk shows spread apparently false rumors that there had been celebrations in Paterson.

[Pharmboy]

Paterson has a large Arab community. I thought Freepers might be interested in this (local) story.

[ErnBatavia]

It looks like a few, at least, on the "Arab Street" have sense enough to stay home.

[F16Fighter]

"Jihad Abdelaziz, 19, of Paterson said he decided to join the march because he's against the war."

Here's a guy I'd assume the FBI has had a dossier on since birth.

[Mrs.O'Strategery]

"We're basically for the freedom of the Iraqi people," said Aisha Khalil, 16, of Paterson. "I have no respect for Saddam Hussein. But the Iraqi people would rather live under a dictator than have their brains blown out with bombs."

Funny, I think we are the ones who are for the freedom of the Iraqi people.

[Pharmboy]

I work with an Egyptian-American young woman (a knockout, BTW) who is fluent in Arabic. She contacted the FBI and volunteered for work as a translator. She said they said "Thanks but no thanks" since they had gotten more offers for this than they needed.

We hear so many negative Muslim/Arab stories, I thought a good one or two should be promoted in fairness to the patriotic Arab and/or Muslim Americans.

[Pharmboy]

Love your moniker, Mrs.

[Tunehead54]

I suspect a picture of the AW types would have been worth a thousand words ... of well.

---

[oyez]

I suggest Aisha Khalil be sent back after the war.

[Calpernia]

>>>>"If you look at some of the endorsements, they are to the extreme left. With people like these as our allies, people would laugh at us."

ROFL! The Muslim community sees these anti-war/commi/dem/mental patients as fools!

[shhrubbery!]

For FReepers in the Morristown, NJ area (Daily Record's main readership):

My 17 year old son was out playing 'ultimate frisbee' yesterday -- while at the park he was handed a flyer announcing a PRO-America / SUPPORT OUR TROOPS rally at the MORRISTOWN GREEN scheduled for Sunday, April 6 at 6pm.

I have no info yet on the sponsors of the rally, but will try to get confirmation and post a better announcement if I can.

[weegee]

"We're basically for the freedom of the Iraqi people," said Aisha Khalil, 16, of Paterson. "I have no respect for Saddam Hussein. But the Iraqi people would rather live under a dictator than have their brains blown out with bombs."

Funny, I think we are the ones who are for the freedom of the Iraqi people.

Sum that one up as being in the "better Red than dead" camp. Also neglects to mention having their brains blown out by Saddam's death squads who are shooting those who are showing support for the Allies.

[joesnuffy]

Probably thought it was an FBI sting operation trying to draw the true believers out into the open
Moderate Islam is for Diletantes

[skinkinthegrass]

We hear so many negative Muslim/Arab stories, I thought a good one or two should be promoted in fairness to the patriotic Arab and/or Muslim Americans.

Same here, He's an Turk...he, volunteered also... :|

[joesnuffy]

Probably thought it was an FBI sting operation trying to draw the true believers out into the open
Moderate Islam is for Diletantes

[Sam Cree]

ROFL! The Muslim community sees these anti-war/commi/dem/mental patients as fools!"

Yeah, I agree.

"Some leaders of the Muslim community had other concerns, saying some protesters represented left-wing ideologies they didn't want to support"

These guys can figure this out, too bad the media can't, that is, too bad the media doesn't admit it, I mean.

[Calpernia]

>>>These guys can figure this out, too bad the media can't, that is, too bad the media doesn't admit it, I mean.

Not too sure they (media) can't figure it out. What draws ratings? Quiet lawful people holding flags and being patriotic? Or idiots laying down in the road with fake blood and duct tape on their body? The media just feeds the fire. The sad part that can't be figured out is, the fools will never see themselves as the fools they are.

[Coleus]

In New Jersey, a Muslim-Dominated Town Weighs in On War

[hellinahandcart]

They remembered the backlash against them after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks when radio talk shows spread apparently false rumors that there had been celebrations in Paterson.

They were not false rumors. A friend witnessed the celebrations with his own eyes while driving home on the afternoon of 9/11. This friend is one of the least imaginative, least dramatic, and least excitable people I know.

I believe him.

And the only reason I'd drive through Paterson today would be to roll down my window and spit.

[RAT Patrol]

I do believe the vast majority of American Muslims love this country. Their religion mixes governance and righteousness to a point that they have difficulty at times because they feel they are choosing between God and Country. We would be wise to learn to distinguish their varied opinions so we can tell who is vulnerable to turn on us and who is not. THEY would be wise to face the devil among them and HELP us capture the violent criminal ranks in their midst.

Their religion also is very LOYALTY based. Even bad Muslims are better than Good infidels, or it seems that way to me. We need to help them see that that isn't true.

I found these interesting: One group of men scoffed at the protesters, one of them saying that "the Zionist media" would represent the protest as a Muslim uprising. I share his low opinion of the media, but his "Zionist" label is, as the liberals love to say, not "helpful."

Some leaders of the Muslim community had other concerns, saying some protesters represented left-wing ideologies they didn't want to support.. Now, there are plenty of these types out there and we need to give them all the support we can!

[ErnBatavia]

I do believe the vast majority of American Muslims love this country.

If so, I'd like to see even a few demonstrate said love.

[RAT Patrol]

Like I said, they have difficulty because their religion teaches the ultimate Islamic goal is an Islamic state -- just like Mohammad led, as head of the (perfect) Islamic state in Medina. That's the way I understand it.

That doesn't lesson their commitment to our Country necessarily; it just represents a hurdle. It might explain why the majority of them would never take up arms against their own country (the U.S.), but they can't work up the passion to demonstrate for our side. It is a conflict of devotion, from their perspective, even though they can see that Saddam is evil.

Their religion teaches great loyalty to all fellow Muslims. Christians, on the other hand, have less problem with that. Our religion is about the conversion, by faith, of one individual, free-willing heart at a time. We convert sinful hearts through persuasion, which aggravates people enough. Muslims believe man is basically good but can be corrupted by society. They reach a righteous state through a righteous society. That's a very different thing.

If we do not support their right to their religion, we are going to sacrifice the religious freedom of everyone. Heck, we tolerate Satanism in this country, but if they actually practice the law-breaking parts of that "religion" then they're going to jail.

[RAT Patrol]

lesson = lessen

[FITZ]

Queers for Peace and Justice.

Or at least the Muslims aren't going to let themselves be seen as fools.

[FITZ]

If we do not support their right to their religion, we are going to sacrifice the religious freedom of everyone.

They do have that right ---but they also have the right to hear it criticized ---just like everyone else's. We can openly debate Catholicism, Judais, Atheism etc but Muslims have such a chip they can't allow any real discussion of Islam.

[RAT Patrol]

---but they also have the right to hear it criticized ---just like everyone else's. We can openly debate Catholicism, Judais, Atheism etc but Muslims have such a chip they can't allow any real discussion of Islam.

Well I agree with that entirely. They are aided by "looking for a new 'discriminated against'class of people to label the Republicans as bigots" media. Instead of searching for whole truths, they are always parsing truths, half-truths, and downright lies in an effort to make a case against the political right. That's the propaganda war the U.S. media cares about most.

I just think we need to be very careful that we do not cause religious "collateral damage" to the innocent people of faith -- whatever faith that might be.

[Salman]

However the Arab Muslims in Paterson feel about the war, most of them like living in the USA and don't want to make waves. The peaceniks on the other hand, would be pleased to stir up anti-Muslim reaction because this would validate their position.

I think most of these Muslims are smart enough to see this. No suicide-bomber mentality here. They want to earn a living.

[Pharmboy]

Agreed.