Posted on 07/17/2015 9:30:00 AM PDT by grundle
For some Muslims, it can be hard to buy a house, and Mayor Ed Murray plans to do something about it.
On Monday, Murray's housing committee released its recommendations for ways the city can increase housing in the city. Most ideas were what you'd expect, including increasing the city's housing levy and implementing new rules and regulations to foster development of market-rate and lower-income housing.
One suggestion would help followers of Sharia law buy houses. That's virtually impossible now because Sharia law prohibits payment of interest on loans. The 28-member committee recommended the city convene lenders and community leaders to explore options for increasing access to Sharia-compliant loan products.
More and more lenders are offering Sharia-compliant financing, according to a USA Today report. The sector has grown to more than $1.6 trillion in assets worldwide over the past three decades, and analysts see potential for continued growth as the number of Muslims in the United States and Europe grows.
It's unclear how many Muslims in Seattle would benefit from Murray's plan. The Washington state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) estimates more than 30,000 Muslims live in the greater Seattle area, and Chapter Executive Director Arsalan Bukhari on Tuesday said it's "fairly common" for some not to seek loans.
Based on what he called "rough anecdotal evidence," Bukhari estimated a couple hundred people aren't borrowing money for houses due to their religion. He said this includes even high-wage earners, such as the more than 1,000 Muslims who work for Microsoft (Nasdaq: MFST) and more than 500 Amazon.com (Nasdaq: AMZN) employees.
They could easily qualify for home loans but opt not to apply "simply because they don't want to pay interest," Bukhari said.
Murray will send legislation based on the committee's ideas to the City Council for consideration. During a press conference, he said he wants to help Muslims.
"We will work to develop new tools for Muslims who are prevented from using conventional mortgage products due to their religious beliefs," Murray said.
Second, the idiot who wrote this article did not give any specific details of the mayor's plan.
Third, this is a violation of separation of church and state.
Fourth, why would anyone even want to do this.
Maybe he’ll tax the Christian Churches to help the muzzies. /s
Why not make balloon payment only loans at a higher price?
Or negotiate an amortizing one year rental?
There have to be ways around this, just as there are Islamically authorized temporary marriages.
Of course, if it keeps ‘em out of the neighborhood, I’m OK with that, too.
Buy them in Mehico? Or maybe Syria?
In the liberal world view, the fact that Islam forbids paying interest translates to Muslims being “prevented”,from owning a home.
Just waiting to see what happens when non Muslims want these no interest mortgages. Won’t it be discrimination to not allow Christians and other infidels to get an Islamic mortgage?
So, if I say the shahada and become muslim, I can get an interest free loan? Cool
They have even more progressive plans for affordable housing and schools. Charter schools especially are going to be targeted.
Ever check out the money involved in “local” Seattle politics? Hint: the Gates Foundation is just one of the big-$$$ meddlers.
They cannot restrict these schemes to Muslims only.
Even in Obama's America, the courts still won't allow that (yet).
Tar and feather this idiot.
Interest is payment rendered for use of money. If the banks are GIVING money free to borrowers, SOMEBODY has to pay for its use. Give you one guess who that SOMEBODY is!
He’ll pay for it by fining into bankruptcy Christian bakers and florists who want to abide by their religious beliefs.
I agree, this is friggin insane. Just exactly how does the Mayor plan to get lenders to offer interest free loans?
The mayor of Seattle is as lefty as they come, including being an out of the closet fruitbar.
I’m a Muslim then
A violation of church and state and an attack on Christianity, which makes it ‘kosher’.
Seattle is a very bad place.
“Seattle mayor offers plan to help followers of Sharia law buy houses”
In a few years (under a different mayor, of course) cops will avoid sections of Seattle and will claim exemption from civil law in favor of sharia law: `honor killings’ etc.
This is the same national socialist demokratik worker partie dink who was overjoyed at the SCROTUS ruling on homo marriage and who banned city funded travel to Indiana.
How does a conservative manage to live in a place like Seattle?
They would have to be a glutton for punishment.
>>>Third, this is a violation of separation of church and state<<<
There is no such thing as a Separation of Church and State.
Liberal Propaganda does not the Constitution make.
However, the Democrats “believe” there is and they should abide by their own Beliefs. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I’m still looking for the Flying Pigs.
As long it is not Christian, separation of Church and State does not apply. Hopefully they can get a bunch of muslims there. And to show their appreciation for his efforts, the Mayor’s head will be the first they cut off.
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