U.S. forces declare whoopass on the Taliban:
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.
To quote Yakov Smirnov: "What a country!"
Or, here's a suggestion: they could get the "F" out of the country and go where they're appreciated. Like Saudi.
To avoid any misunderstanding, let me state this as clearly as I know how. There is NO circumstance under which I would buy this stamp. If you try to push this stamp by telling me there are no others available, I will invest in a meter machine.
I will not allow them to sell me a stamp that honours followers of a false prophet.
How 'bout I take door #4? You know, the one that says "Wipe these Islamic extremists from the face of the Earth"... The radical Islamists have their jihad, I have my WhoopAss"
This is the sort of thing that makes me want to bolt this country of my birth. I was not aware mainstream America misunderstood and lacked respect for Islam but if we were guilty of either whose fault would that be? If anything this new stamp honoring Muslims only makes me less inclined to embrace its American adherents.
U.S. forces declare whoopass on the Taliban:
Muslims are coming late to the party. They come with demands and want to change America beyond recognition. Let us put a moratorium on all immigration from Muslim countries. The WTC is the revelation of the essense of Islam. How many more of these attacks are we supposed to suffer in the name of multiculturalism.
All cultures are not equal. Islam is the greatest danger that America has ever faced. We must contain it now.
"In airports, we’re subjected to more thorough security and measures because of stereotypes of Muslims that exist,” she said.
Well cry me a river lady.
Stereotypes exist for the semblance of truth behind their assertions.
American wariness of Middle Eastern Islamic types is not a function of stereotype,
it has to do with the mass murder of 6000 people in the name of Islamism.
Will America ever awaken from it's mulitcultural state of politically correct deliria?
Well, most religions claim some superiority. There are more than two who claim you will not reach heaven unless you are a member or them. IMO Christianity has a range of adherents and some may hold to a "mine is superior" position. (I've only met one christian who claimed she knew the truth and the rest of us were just lost.)
As to the second, I don't see Christianity claiming to be superior to the state. Separate and different are claims that I have heard.
My current test is whether the golden rule is included in the lessons on day to day behavior. The religion of Islam seems not to subscribe? Your thoughts?
Sad but true.
I will dispose of any mail bearing this stamp unopened. (I may be wearing a bio-hazard suit while I do it.)
Will it actually stick to the envelope?
Or does it shake loose and then whine about the letter it lost?
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