Coco
Coco
Muslim football fans say praying led to profiling
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 11/2/05
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEWARK — Several Muslim football fans claim they were profiled and unfairly detained by stadium security personnel and the FBI at Giants Stadium during a game in September when they were seen praying, alarming other fans who considered their behavior suspicious.
Five fans attending the New York Giants-New Orleans Saints game at the Meadowlands on Sept. 19 were removed from their seats and questioned by security personnel after other fans saw them prostrating themselves on the ground as part of daily Muslim prayers, which must be performed five times each day, Sohail Mohammed, a lawyer for one of the men, said Tuesday.
The men plan to detail their experience at a news conference today in New York designed to foster greater understanding of Islam and the religious practices of Muslims.
"This is a classic example of "If you want to pray, you'll have to pay,' " Mohammed said. "These folks were exercising their fundamental right to practice their faith, and they wanted to enjoy, as Americans, their favorite sport."
Soon after walking through the gates and having their tickets scanned, the men found an open space near the concrete pillars by walkways and escalators at Gate D, and began to pray during the first quarter, said one of the men, who asked not to be identified because he fears harassment.
Other fans apparently notified security, who followed the men to their seats and asked them to come with them during the third quarter, the man said.
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051102/NEWS03/511020350/1007
LOL, these jerks are even making Coco mad!!
Very beautious butterflies!! :)