(If what I just wrote makes you sad or angry,
it was probably sarcasm)
Posted on 02/08/2006 7:29:25 AM PST by kinghorse
Muslims say sign left near mosque was hate crime Police note the message was found on public property, making it hard to classify
By ROSANNA RUIZ Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
Islamic leaders are outraged that a sign with anti-Muslim sentiments left near a southeast Houston mosque will not likely be pursued by authorities as a hate crime.
The large plywood sign, written in black crayon, labeled Muslims as the enemy and included a bearded character representing the Prophet Muhammad.
It was discovered Monday evening near the mosque in the 8800 block of Old Galveston Road.
The sign had been placed against a fence considered public property by Houston investigators. If the sign had been left on the mosque's property, authorities said, it would be more likely considered a hate crime.
"The suspect would have been on public property when the sign was placed and did not cross onto (the mosque's) property as far as we can tell. It's currently under investigation to determine whether it should be classified as a hate crime," said Nat McDuell, a Houston Police Department spokesman.
"Right now, investigators are having trouble finding the crime," McDuell said. "They may have the hate, but they don't have the crime."
Imam Zoubir Bouchikhi, the mosque's leader and the one who made the discovery, questioned why authorities are not taking action.
"What are they waiting for? A major crime (before) they take action?" he asked. "This, to me, is absurd. ... In light of what's going on in the world, I think they should take very strict action against the people who did this."
Kaleem Siddiqui, spokesman for the Houston chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, was also troubled by HPD's investigation.
He speculated that the sign may have been prompted by the uproar, including riots in the Muslim world, over the publication of some Danish political cartoons satirizing Muhammad.
"It's unfortunate that a technicality could change the classification of the intent," Siddiqui said. "It's the same intent whether it was on the property or right next to the property."
Siddiqui called on the FBI to investigate the incident as a hate crime.
FBI not involved yet The FBI has thus far not initiated an investigation, said Shauna Dunlap, FBI spokeswoman in Houston. Dunlap said no one from HPD or CAIR has contacted the FBI.
She agreed with HPD's assessment, saying that legally proving a hate crime would be more difficult given the sign's placement.
"It does make it more difficult," she said. "It's a lot more difficult to show who was the intended victim."
The Texas Hate Crime Act defines hate crimes as crimes motivated by prejudice and hatred.
The federal law defines hate crimes as crimes committed based upon prejudice, race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity or diversity.
"I'm actually surprised to see something like this here. Houston is a very diverse city and we tend not to have too many issues," Siddiqui said.
"We would like to basically call upon all Americans to recognize the existence of other faiths and we hope we can all be respectful and get along."
Left there by the local Imam, no doubt.
Is anyone else getting as sick and tired of the word "outrage" as I am?
Durka durka durka jihad.
yeah yeah, it was a hate crime, that's it. YAWNNN
yes, I am outraged at the over use of the word "outraged".
(If what I just wrote makes you sad or angry,
Hate? No, just truth.
Question.
If the person who made the sign were ther holding, on public property, would they arrest him?
Maybe for not having a 'protest' permit. But other than that, I don't see it.
I don't hate them. I feel bad they are going to hell, but it doesn't seem to bother them.
Yep. Starting to lose it's meaning.
I think Mohammed had large breast and a vagina. Is that a hate crime?
Another staged "outrage". Mullahs be warned! Don't mess with Texas!
ther holding = there holding it
I type to fast for my own good sometimes.
:0)
No, they're waiting for A crime to happen. Contrary to popular opinion these days freedom of speech IS a real freedom, even if some Muslims don't like it.
I suppose they'll eventually get over it.
I've seen the mosque. It looks like a prison with metal gates and fences all around it. That might explain why the sign was left outside instead closer to the building.
I'm still trying to figure out whether the fences are to keep trespassers out or to keep their rabid followers in.
They seem to be enjoying their ride..
So what.
A hate crime? Now these are hate crimes:
Saudi Arabia - Conversion by a Muslim to another religion is punishable by death. Bibles are illegal. Churches are illegal.
Yemen - Bans proselytizing by non-Muslims and forbids conversions. The Government does not allow the building of new non-Muslim places of worship.
Kuwait - Registration and licensing of religious groups. Members of religions not sanctioned in the Koran may not build places of worship. Prohibits organized religious education for religions other than Islam.
Egypt - Islam is the official state religion and primary source of legislation. Accordingly, religious practices that conflict with Islamic law are prohibited. Muslims may face legal problems if they convert to another faith. Requires non-Muslims to obtain what is now a presidential decree to build a place of worship.
Algeria - The law prohibits public assembly for purposes of practicing a faith other than Islam. Non-Islamic proselytizing is illegal, and the Government restricts the importation of non-Islamic literature for distribution.
Jordan - Has the death penalty for any Muslim selling land to a Jew.
Sudan - Conversion by a Muslim to another religion is punishable by death.
Pakistan - Conversion by a Muslim to another religion is punishable by death. Bans proselytizing by non-Muslims. Christians regularly put in prison for charges of blasphemy.
It's alway the Muslims that say these cartoons represent Muhammad. Who's to say they aren't representing Osama?
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