Posted on 10/22/2001 6:36:52 PM PDT by Anima Mundi
For the first time ever, American Muslims will see a U.S. postage stamp honor their religion and culture.
And they’re delighted - but San Antonio Muslim leaders hope the gesture is only a first step toward grater understanding and respect for Islam in mainstream America.
The 34-cent stamp will be available at post offices starting today. It has gold Arabic calligraphy on a blue background, with the English text, “Eid Greetings,” to feature the two most important Islamic festivals, Eid al-Fitr and Eid ao-Adha.
Eid al-Fitr breaks the fast to end Ramadan, the Islamic holy monthly. Eid al-Adha recalls Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail, and comes at the end of the annual Hajj, the period of pilgrimage to Mecca.
“It’s about time this country did something to recognize the Muslim holidays,” said Muhammad Choudary, president of the Islamic Center of San Antonio. “We are a large minority.”
Nazli Siddiqui, who came to the United States from Pakistan in 1984, said Muslims are the nation’s fastest-growing religious group and soon will be its second largest religious minority. They have increasing political clout, too, she said.
“Republicans were heavily supported by Muslims in the last election. Given the closeness of their victory, President Bush wouldn’t be in the White House now without Muslim support,” Siddiqui said.
Imam Fotouh-Abouelsha of the Islamic Center of San Antonio, speaking through an interpreter, said the stamp is a welcome sign of recognition. “We appreciate it. It shows that people in charge care abut Muslim feelings,” he said. “It will help, but it’s not the only thing that is needed.”
Abouelsha said Americans in general seem insensitive to Muslim meeds.
For example, Jews have their Sabbath on Saturday and CHristians on Sunday. The way the American workweek has evolved, non-Jews and non-Christians get those days off, too. But the Muslim holy day is Friday, a general workday.
Many employers deny Muslims sufficient time from their jobs to attend mosque services, or a place at their office, store or factory to pray - as if their religious obligations were unimportant, the imam said.
“They say, ‘You can go on your lunch hour.’’ But the service takes longer than that. Those who come will be in a hurry while they’re here and they also won’t get to eat lunch.” Abouelsha said.
He said Muslims should be able to count on at least a half-day each Friday to fulfill their commitment. They could work Sunday instead, he suggested.
Failing that, even having a proper place to pray at the appointed times would be a major step forward, Siddiqui said.
More cultural sensitivity is needed, Siddiqui said. Muslim children sometimes are teased when classmates see them fasting during Ramadan, and school officials could help by explaining the holiday and encouraging respect, she said.
“In airports, we’re subjected to more thorough security and measures because of stereotypes of Muslims that exist,” she said.
American Muslims see reporting on the Arab-Israeli conflict by U.S news organizations in the Middle East as biased, blaming only the Palestinians for the violence, Choudary said. Jews have had better access to news outlets than Muslims, he added.
Still, things aren’t as bad as they used to be, Choudary said. “When I first cfame here from Pakistan more than 30 years ago, we wore Pakistani dress and were stopped by a policeman. He thought we were in our night clothes,” he said.
DEPORT ALL NON-CITIZEN MUSLIMS - NOW!!!
prambo
What propaganda! Islamic law says they can pray later if they have work obligations. Notice how they can throw bombs on Ramadan? Whine, whine whine: We don't get Friday afternoons off, sob, sob, we should get Friday afternoons off and work on Sundays instead, sniff sniff.
Let's just all give them Friday afternoons off and change the whole country to accommodate them. And then us Jews and Christians can consult with them and see if its alright with them if we take Good Friday or Yom Kippur off. It's only fair, right?
I am still looking for the proper way say to write choice phrases in arabic...
Maybe if the anthrax keeps up, we'll give them a city.
Why on earth would the terrorists leave America alone? They always get what they want.
Quite well, if you'll get your head out of your hidden place and look around.
There are no countries in the world ruled by Christian law over civil law, sanctioning murder and mayhem.
It is being said that the proper way to activate the glue on this stamp is to use large quantities of uric acid instead of saliva.
Well, "EID" is "DIE" spelled backwards. Maybe that's the hidden Jihad message on these stamps.
LOL :)
I'm thinking of looking into some kind of a UV light like they use in hospitals and pharmacies. I'm sure the ones out there are probably too large and too expensive for home use at the moment, but it won't take long for some enterprising person to design and manufacture them for home use. I think I'm also going to look into some kind of good room air filters with the hepa filtering system. They're a little expensive, too-probably around $300/room; but we can always buy them one at a time until we've got one for each room. Looks like this problem will be with us long enough to make the investment worthwhile.
What... according to a poll?
The overwhelming majority of American moslems have been deafening in their silence over the attacks. The press has been beating the bushes for "peaceful" moslems, and come up with precious few who've been unequivocal in their condemnation of the attacks. Frankly, I can't recall as I've heard of even one.
They continually whine about how misunderstood they are, how unfair we are to the so-called "palestinians," and how terrible Israel is. That's their agenda, not condemnation of terrorists.
Where is there a single fatwa issued by moslem clerics against bin Laden or those who aid and abet sleeper terrorists in this country?
Nowere.
Where are the mass demonstrations of American moslems against terror?
Nowhere.
Where are the American moslems who are apologists for terror and foam at the mouth against "zionists?"
Everywhere there are American moslems.
It is the behavior of the moslems here in our country since 9/11 that has soured me and many Americans on their despicanble religion, not the actions of the terrorists.
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