Moslems Slam FDNY Chaplain Choice

NY1 cable news ^ | 10/16/01 | No pleasing these guys

[NativeNewYorker]

After years of pressure from the Muslim community, the fire department finally appointed a Muslim chaplain.

But now, the department's selection is being rejected by Muslim groups.



They sued to get a Muslim chaplain.

But now that the New York City Fire Department has relented, Muslim firefighters are criticizing the FDNY's choice for the job.

"This is retaliatory," said Kevin James of the FDNY Islamic Society. "It's vindictive, and we're not going to tolerate it."

James, a firefighter and a Muslim, started the department's Islamic organization in 1997. One of the goals of the Islamic Society of Fire Department Personnel was to have a Muslim chaplain.

It took years of pressure and a lawsuit, but the city finally appointed one - Imam Abd'Allah Adesanya, who started Monday.

But James says his organization had recommended another - Imam Muhammed Abdulmalik, who was also endorsed by the Islamic Leadership Council of New York.

"This is an issue of the fire department and the way that their actions have caused a holy mess by pitting one chaplain against another chaplain vying for this position," said James. "They didn't acknowledge us in this process."

The Islamic group alleges that the fire department traditionally approves the chaplain recommendations of the New York Archdiocese and the Board of Rabbis.

Said Imam Talib Abdur-Rashid of the New York Islamic Leadership Council: "The fire commissioner has chosen to disrespect the organized Muslim leadership of this great city by implementing a different selection process for the Muslim chaplain than those of other faiths."

The Islamic Society sued last year, claiming the FDNY fails to provide the same accommodations - like a prayer room - to Muslims as they do for other religious groups.

While the suit prompted some changes, the group said it now plans to take more legal action.

"We're also going to allege a retaliation claim," said Robert Perry, a lawyer for the FDNY Islamic Society. "I'm sure that one of the principle reasons why our candidate wasn't chosen is because our guys, the Islamic Society, brought this lawsuit and the fire department chose this way to retaliate against them."

The fire department said it's not a matter of retaliation, saying the Muslim chaplain it chose was most qualified.

[NativeNewYorker]

One hardly knows where to start.

[RightlySo]

I suppose the Muslims wanted Omar instead?!

[dennis1x]

Anyone want to join me in a big round of: F*CK THE MUSLIMS

[Pharmboy]

One would think that these guys would want to maintain a low profile these days...

[dubyagee]

Didn't "extremist" muslims basically murder the last chaplain? Sick, sick, sick.

[father_elijah]

One hardly knows where to start.

How about this. Sure - build a prayer room for them in Kabul, give them their Imam, give them all one way tickets to go over and help the Kabul Fired Brigade - a humanitarian mission, donchyaknow, and say, buh-bye!

[Sabertooth]

"This is retaliatory," said Kevin James of the FDNY Islamic Society. "It's vindictive, and we're not going to tolerate it."

Then you'd better cover your eyes for what's coming.

[Vigilanteman]

Sounds like the NAACP taking the administration to task for appointing Colin Powell as SoS when they wanted Jesse Jackson. Let them eat pork rinds.

[MoJo2001]

Is it me or can we do nothing to make our Muslims feel better about our country? I suppose the question is DO WE REALLY CARE?? I sure as heck don't!! Bring back Reverend Pork Chop Sharpton. At least he was somewhat entertaining!

[Sabertooth]

Didn't "extremist" muslims basically murder the last chaplain?

Did they? Do you have a link?

[nmh]

These people have balls beyond belief. Devout Muslims, terrorists, devestated the WTC and now they bicker over which false, evil, prophet to head their group up there. What nerve! Send em back to where ever they came from!

[MaxwellWolf]

Can we expect Muslim religious holidays next? We are NOT muslims, we will NEVER be muslims and we don't want ANYTHING to do with Islam. If these guys don't like the way things are here then there are lot of muslim countries for them. These guys are the most intolerant and violent bunch but they expect us to bend over for them. Any tax payer funded organization should not do anything to accomodate Islam. That is NOT how I want my tax dollars to be spent.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

I have a feeling that there is a very good reason why the Fire Chief didn't like their prefered chaplain. He gave them a Muslim chaplain, not that they need one inside a fire fighter building to begin with. But no.... has to be the hand picked dude they want. Hm.... The Chief doesn't like the hand picked dude. Something very interesting about the guy they wanted I bet.

[KQQL]

I wonder if ALLAh is running low on virgins.?

[dasboot]

I think these are probably born-in-the-USA converts to Islam. I worked on the road with one of these converts for a year: a regular guy--nothing particularly devout in his manners, though. One day he let me in on the BIG SECRET. Though he liked me well enough, he would have to kill me when the revolution came, 'cause I was the "white devil". YIKES!

The firefighters are probably miffed that they got a real Muslim from Muslamia...or wherever.

[dubyagee]

Maybe I'm mistaken, but I thought he was killed along with some of the firefighters at the WTC. I'll see if I can find one.

[dubyagee]

A Love Supreme - The Fallen Fire Chaplain Was Also a Hero to Gays News/Current Events

Look the story up if you will, I'm too tired and lazy to do a link right now (I'm new at this). Night.

[TN Republican]

I'll be your baritone. What's the key?