Toronto Muslim clerics want apology from U.S.

CBC online ^ | 09-14-03 | CBC Staff

[atomic conspiracy]

TORONTO - Two Muslim clerics from Toronto want the United States to apologize for holding them in Florida on Thursday – the second anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington.

And the Muslim Canadian Congress (MCC) was so offended by the treatment of the two men that it is advising Muslims not to travel to the United States.

"You get a feeling that in the United States any Muslim is fair game," said Tarek Fatah, a founder of the MCC.

Ahmad Kutty and Abdul Hamid were flying to Orlando when they were arrested during a stopover in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday. The men were interrogated for 16 hours and kept in jail until Friday, when they returned to Toronto.

FROM SEPT. 12, 2003: Toronto men arrested while flying to Florida

U.S. officials said the men were a security concern. Hamid said a FBI officer told him that his name "sounded similar to the names of some people on the list of suspects."

The two scholars oppose Islamic extremism, and were on their way to give sermons at a Muslim meeting in Florida.

Kutty "is one of the gentlest souls in the Muslim community," said Fatah.

Now the two have taken the most American of actions – they've got a lawyer.

"This is America, where there are laws and there are procedures. And we're going to follow those. We're going to hold people accountable," said lawyer Khurrum Wahid.

The men want an apology and they may yet ask the Canadian government to lodge a formal complaint.

[atomic conspiracy]

I decided to take the bull by the tail and send my own apology to the Canadian fifth column Islamic community:

Dear MCC, I deeply regret that two visiting Islamic clergymen were seized by a rioting mob of Americans, then torn to pieces and their remains paraded triumphantly through the streets of Florida.

Oh, wait a minute....

[Old Sarge]

And the Muslim Canadian Congress (MCC) was so offended by the treatment of the two men that it is advising Muslims not to travel to the United States.

Promise? You mean that? Really?

[dighton]

[ChuteTheMall GawdSortaMount]

"And the Muslim Canadian Congress (MCC) was so offended by the treatment of the two men that it is advising Muslims not to travel to the United States."

Oh please, massa, don't throw me in no brier patch!

Too bad that advice was not followed on 9-11-01.

[Moonman62]

These may be peaceful Muslims, but Americans are having to pay for the cleanup of their religion that they refuse to do.

[Samwise]

And the Muslim Canadian Congress (MCC) was so offended by the treatment of the two men that it is advising Muslims not to travel to the United States.

Works for me!

[Ronin]

Gee Sarge, looks like we are actually in agreement with the Canucks on something.

[Old Sarge]

Hey, it was bound to happen...

[atomic conspiracy]

Hamid said a FBI officer told him that his name 'sounded similar to the names of some people on the list of suspects.'

"Abdul Hamid" was also the name of one of the last Sultans of Turkey (1876-1909), popularly and universally called "Abdul the Damned" for his less than enlightened policies.

[montag813]

"You get a feeling that in the United States any Muslim is fair game," said Tarek Fatah, a founder of the MCC.

We WISH it were so.

[norton]

Abdul, I am deeply and sincerely sorry that you're a POS.

[boycott]

"it is advising Muslims not to travel to the United States."

Thanks.

[atomic conspiracy]

it is advising Muslims not to travel to the United States

Sarcasm ahead:

Maybe this will start a trend: "In other news, North Korea has announced that it will dismantle its nuclear reactor program as a protest against US policy, and Saddam Hussein has surrendered to US troops. 'That'll show 'em,' said the deposed dictator as he was led away in leg irons.'"

[Ruth A.]

And the Muslim Canadian Congress (MCC) was so offended by the treatment of the two men that it is advising Muslims not to travel to the United States.

Works for me.

[Ron H.]

.... advising Muslims not to travel to the United States.

As an American citizen I too would advise that muslims and the Muslim Canadian Congress members to not travel in the United States either. Until the entire Muslim world not only apologizes to Americans but brings every Muslim terrorist to justice in America don't expect any apology from this American.

[harbingr]

Have a laugh @:...

Allah is in the House (aka: Jihad for Dummies)

[Redbob]

"...the Muslim Canadian Congress (MCC) was so offended by the treatment of the two men that it is advising Muslims not to travel to the United States."

"Oh. no Brer Fox, don't t'row me in dat briar patch!"

They REALLY are big teases, aren't they?

[skeeter]

And the Muslim Canadian Congress (MCC) was so offended by the treatment of the two men that it is advising Muslims not to travel to the United States.

Ouch. I guess we deserved that.

[Spruce]

Dear Mcc,
I am sorry. Sorry that you fail to condemn lunatics that killed 3,000 innocent civilians. Sorry that you probably celebrate 9-11 as a holiday of joy. Sorry that you think my family should pray 5 times a day to a rock. Sorry that you want me dead because I think your beliefs are stupid. Sorry that your religion is the #1 cause of war and oppression on the planet.

p.s. F.O.