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."
Thank you, Slowboat.
These days the news media is full of references to the "Prophet" Mohammed (piss be upon him).
I know one thing for damn sure - he ain't my prophet.
"Offended," now there's a word I haven't seen in awhile. :0)
'A sign leaning against a fence is a hate crime but 5 baptist churches burned in a series in 1 night is "we are still unsure if these are related to arson"?'
Actually, they now are saying it IS arson. Two 'white guys'!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1574313/posts
I suspect millions of Americans have come to hate anything Islam...And I certainly don't see any crime in that...
LOL.. .Good catch, I missed that. thank you
Be that as it may, the Danes aren't exactly overjoyed at seeing their flag burned. Neither are Christians elsewhere, since, like those of Sweden and Norway (and Switzerland), the Danish flag has a Cross on it. Very similar to the Crusader shields, but sideways.
"It's a crime to leave a plywood sign on public property?
I'd love to read that Statute."
It's called 'littering'. :0)
Islam is the enemy.
read his coverage of the SanFrancisco protests, He is a good guy and he does a good job covering what those crazy berkeley loons are doing. He calls them out on being psychos. Zombietime is a really good site, everyone here should check it out, especially if you like to laugh at the DUmmies and their protesting antics.
You know, that was absolutely my first thought. I wonder if someone should compare the writing to that on the placards being used in Europe.
Those sure look like they were done by the same person.
In any case, here we go. I have an uneasy feeling we're next on the list. Again.
Did they look Castro into London, or is the beared, camo-wearing crazy man just the "look" for nuts this year. (Second wacko from left)
Oh good, I hadnt seen that yet. I just found it beyond curious that they were hesitant to say that the fires could be connected.
Wining would be against their religion. Whining OTOH would appear to be a requirement.
First "look" = "let"
Well, I;m outraged over the outrageous outrage of using the word "outrage."
Oh, I just saw S.F. protest photo's and assumed, my fault and thanks for clarifying that for me.
Here is another website I just heard about last night, and I am surfing it now. I'm sure most of you already know about this site.
http://www.campus-watch.org/
"I just found it beyond curious that they were hesitant to say that the fires could be connected."
Well with the statement that these were two 'white guys', I think they are trying their darndest to avoid linking this to muslims.
What do you call two white guys with a tan? :)
I read on another blog that the Danish flag is actually that of the Knights Hospitallers.
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