Baldwinsville man's Quran contest called hurtful

Recruit's contest using Quran hinders Army's effort, officer says. Friday, June 17, 2005 By Pam Greene Staff writer

Jon Alvarez is two months away from reporting to military boot camp training, but he has already been flagged by his superiors as a potential troublemaker.

Alvarez, a staunch Republican from Baldwinsville who enlisted in the Army Reserve in April, has gained notoriety for political antics that include hanging a statue depicting the likeness of filmmaker Michael Moore from a noose and accusing those who speak against the military of treason.

Maj. Jeff Wildeboer, operating officer with the Army Reserve 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion in Mattydale, said Thursday he plans to alert commanding officers to Alvarez's latest campaign: a contest called "Create A Pig With The Koran."

On his Web site, www.pabaah.com, Alvarez invites people to create a papier-mache pig using pages of the Quran. Links show how to get a free copy of the Quran and how to make papier-mache.

Alvarez said the contest will illustrate the hypocrisy of Muslim extremists who burn the American flag, "because of the supposed desecration of the Quran," Alvarez said.

"They haven't apologized for burning our flag, yet they expect people to apologize for supposedly desecrating the Quran," he said.

Wildeboer said the contest only serves to be hurtful and stereotype Muslims. The purpose of the battalion is to go overseas and build bridges with Muslims through an understanding of the religion, culture and language, he said. Alvarez's antic is "180 degrees" from the mission of the battalion, he said.

Wildeboer said it is too early to know if Alvarez's stunt will prevent him from being allowed into the reserves. Alvarez hasn't reported for duty yet and no one from the battalion had heard of the contest until Thursday, he said. Wildeboer said he will make sure the commanding officers are informed and the matter will be discussed with Alvarez when he reports for duty in August, he said. Officers will decide what to do about it then, Wildeboer said.

"We don't do stupid things to mock or punish a theology," Wildeboer said. "It shows poor taste."

The local Islamic community has tried unsuccessfully to reach out to Alvarez, said Mohamed Khater, president of the Islamic Society of Central New York.

lie...

check out this email exchange. ascending order. The Imam cut off talks with me in Feb. after I asked him what this prayer meant that he issued in Pittsburgh. Bad thing about this, the reporter of the article was cc'd on the exchange, so she knew about t.

My initial concern, this prayer from the Imam's newsletter at his former mosque in Pittsburgh:

http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:jwQQCZalPkUJ:www.icp-pgh.org/newsletter/june%2520issue.pdf+imam+and+taqiuddin+ahmed+and+terrorism&hl=en

The awful wars, occupation, humiliation, torture and massacre of Muslims in several Muslin countries in the name of liberation or war against terrorism will bring the same fate to those nations and leaders who are acting in the same way which has always invited the wrath of the Lord of the worlds to bring an end to the sufferings of those who are defenseless and making them the successors on the earth. My message to all our Muslim brothers struggling in their respective countries, in particular., and every Muslim who is concerned and disheartened with the current situation is, “ O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer . Indeed Allah is with the patient.” (Ch2,53). “So do not weaken (against your enemy) and do not grieve, and you shall have the upper hand (and victory) if you are firm believers.” (Ch3, 139). May Allah (SWT) grant us wisdom, firm- ness of faith, patience and will to strive for justice and right- eousness. Ameen.

OK, so here's the series of emails based upon my initial inquiry as to what was meant by the Pittsburgh prayer, in ascending order:

From : Taqiuddin Ahmed

Sent : Monday, February 28, 2005 3:35 PM

To : Jon Alvarez

Subject : Re: FW: Imam Taqiuddin Ahmed of the Islamic Society of CNY

It has been proven beyond a shadow of doubt that Iraq was not posing any threat to the USA or harboring any kind of international terrorism. But you are blinded by BIAS and hate so I stop right there.

I have very good relationship with many real patriotic Americans and organizations. Worked closely with PIIN (Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network) and made concluding prayer in their impressive event in a church attended by over 1000 including some senators and government officials. I stand for justice and condemn all forms of terrorism. I repeat My prayer “O God destroy all terrorists and tyrants who are committing crimes towards humanity irrespective of their religion, ethnicity or country of origin and whether they are individuals, groups, or states. Aamin”

Taqiuddin Ahmed

Jon Alvarez wrote:

Imam Taqiuddin Ahmed:

Thank you for your response. In referrence to the CAIR petition, while it is obviously a very positive step in the right direction and very refreshing to see since that group has done nothing but complain about profiling for several years, your website makes no mention of the petition! Why not place it on your front page? While you certainly do not HAVE to convince ME of anything, for I am nothing more than a local citizen, I would think that you would want to convince the American public that you do denounce terrorism, as you claim. Frankly, many Americans share my resentment of having to be suspicious of those of you living amongst us, wondering if future harm may come to us as a result. We live in the greatest country in the world and should not have to be subject to such fears. Your words from the June, 2004 Islamic Society of Pittsburgh newsletter do cause me doubt and concern relative to your intentions, thus my initial outreach to you for an explanation. However, I've not heard or seen any such denouncement of terrorism, as you claim, come from your group and think it would go a long way for your organization to do such a thing. As imam, I would think it your duty to those in your care and that you would embrace it.

Also, just a bit of advice: marching alongside despicable anti-American groups like the Syracuse "Peace" Council does nothing but hurt your group's public image. These are the same people who spit on our troops when they returned from Vietnam. They are very fringe and I suggest ending your association with them. Very bad PR.

I must admit, I am a bit confused by your response. Are you inferring that President Bush is somehow responsible for the killing of these innocents? Since the remarkably swift capture of Baghdad and thus, end of major combat operations, much of the killing of Muslims in Iraq since has come at the hands of your fellow Muslims. Are you trying to place that responsibility at the feet of the United States? Are you taking the position that Muslims would be better off under the rule of Saddam Hussein? I think you need to expand on this a bit to better explain your position. You can't have it both ways...either Saddam stays and Muslims continue to die under his harsh and brutal regime and a supporter of international terrorism remains in power or he's removed and the USA works to establish a free and democratic Iraq as radical Muslims work to prevent that. Which is it? I repeat, you simply cannot have it both ways and expect people to take you seriously.

As an American, I am biased. I cannot help that. But, I believe America is an agent for goodwill in the world. In light of the horrific attacks of September 11th, we cannot simply ignore the threat posed by radicals within the Muslim community around the world. You now reside in America. Our country is trying to destroy ONLY THOSE who would use terrorism to advance their message and target innocents. Innocent people accidentally die in war, no one in America wants war, but sometimes peace can only be achieved thru strength. Remember, in Iraq, one group is trying to establish peace (Iraqis, Americans, the Coalition), the other is not (radical Islamic terrorists and Baathists). The former does not purposely target civilians, the latter does. Which group do you support? Muslims living in America must pick a side.

If you wish, we could organize a joint meeting, in public, where we can invite the press and your group can denounce terrorism and proclaim its support for America as we fight those who are cutting off the heads of innocents and bombing civilians, as we saw yesterday in Israel. This would be a very positive step in the right direction.

Otherwise, your group has no grounds on which to complain when the American public remains suspicious of where your true loyalties lie. Some American Muslim groups, decrying the arrest of young Abu Ali for plotting to kill the President does not help, either. If another attack on America comes from within the American Muslim community, that suspicion will only turn to anger and calls for deportation or internment. No one wants any of that to ever take place again. It's solely up to you and yours. I look forward to your response. (I am copying several in the local news media who may be interested as well as CAIR since this is of importance to all of us)

Respectfully,

Jon Alvarez Baldwinsville, NY Founder of PABAAH.com Patriotic Americans Boycotting Anti-American Hollywood

From : Taqiuddin Ahmed

Sent : Friday, February 25, 2005 5:52 PM To : Jon Alvarez

Subject : Re: FW: Imam Taqiuddin Ahmed of the Islamic

Society of CNY

Dear Jon Alvarez

I do not have to continue to convince you that Muslims have condemned terrorist acts. You have yourself mentioned the name of CAIR and CAIR has published a long list of organizations and countries who were prompt in condemning such deeds. CAIR actually published that list to reject the stereotype that Muslims do not condemn terrorism.

But I wonder how much you are upset with someone sympathizing with tens of thousands of innocent men, women and children being killed as if their life, honor and dignity is worthless and they deserve to be killed as you consider it a blame or criticism on the policy of certain countries responsible for it. Be sure that God is just. He is not a Muslim or Christian or Jew God. It is just one God and He will definitely bring to justice whosoever is committing crime towards humanity.

I invite you to pray together “O God destroy all terrorists who are committing crimes towards humanity irrespective of their religion, ethnicity or country of origin and whether they are individuals, groups, or states. Aamin”

I suggest that if we are not biased then let us publicize this prayer to bring all ethnicities together.

May God guide us to the truth and make us stand firm for justice.

Taqiuddin Ahmed

From : Taqiuddin Ahmed

Sent : Thursday, February 24, 2005 9:51 AM

To : jonalvy44@hotmail.com

CC : info@iscny.org

Subject : Re: FW: Imam Taqiuddin Ahmed of the Islamic

Society of CNY | | | | Dear Jon Alvarez

The article is a message of patience to those tens of thousands of innocent Muslim men, women and children being killed in the name of war against terror. It is a condemnation of all forms of terrorism throughout the history of mankind. You do not blow up a plane to liberate the people in the plane in the name of fighting the hijackers.

Do you?

Sincerely,

Taqiuddin Ahmed

Islamic Society Of Central New York wrote: Br. Foudil Selmoune Assistant Imam 925 Comstock Ave Syracuse NY 13210 Tel: 315 471 3645. -----Original Message-----

From: Jon Alvarez [mailto:jonalvy44@hotmail.com]

Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 9:26 AM To: info@iscny.org Subject: Imam Taqiuddin Ahmed of the Islamic Society of CNY

Dear Islamic Society of CNY: Could someone please explain to me what this is supposed to mean? I'ts from the new imam's former society June newsletter...this does not sound like any kind of condemnation of terrorism, but rather a criticism of US policy to fight terrorism, and that we will ultimately receive some kind of payback.

Thanks, Jon Alvarez

from the ISLAMIC CENTER OF PITTSBURGH (ICP):

http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:jwQQCZalPkUJ:www.icp-pgh.org/newsletter/june%2520issue.pdf+imam+and+taqiuddin+ahmed+and+terrorism&hl=en

The awful wars, occupation, humiliation, torture and massacre of Muslims in several Muslin countries in the name of liberation or war against terrorism will bring the same fate to those nations and leaders who are acting in the same way which has always invited the wrath of the Lord of the worlds to bring an end to the sufferings of those who are defenseless and making them the successors on the earth. My message to all our Muslim brothers struggling in their respective countries, in particular., and every Muslim who is concerned and disheartened with the current situation is, “ O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer . Indeed Allah is with the patient.” (Ch2,53). “So do not weaken (against your enemy) and do not grieve, and you shall have the upper hand (and victory) if you are firm believers.” (Ch3, 139).

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.