Posted on 10/16/2001 6:50:43 PM PDT by NativeNewYorker
After years of pressure from the Muslim community, the fire department finally appointed a Muslim chaplain.
But now, the department's selection is being rejected by Muslim groups.
They sued to get a Muslim chaplain.
But now that the New York City Fire Department has relented, Muslim firefighters are criticizing the FDNY's choice for the job.
"This is retaliatory," said Kevin James of the FDNY Islamic Society. "It's vindictive, and we're not going to tolerate it."
James, a firefighter and a Muslim, started the department's Islamic organization in 1997. One of the goals of the Islamic Society of Fire Department Personnel was to have a Muslim chaplain.
It took years of pressure and a lawsuit, but the city finally appointed one - Imam Abd'Allah Adesanya, who started Monday.
But James says his organization had recommended another - Imam Muhammed Abdulmalik, who was also endorsed by the Islamic Leadership Council of New York.
"This is an issue of the fire department and the way that their actions have caused a holy mess by pitting one chaplain against another chaplain vying for this position," said James. "They didn't acknowledge us in this process."
The Islamic group alleges that the fire department traditionally approves the chaplain recommendations of the New York Archdiocese and the Board of Rabbis.
Said Imam Talib Abdur-Rashid of the New York Islamic Leadership Council: "The fire commissioner has chosen to disrespect the organized Muslim leadership of this great city by implementing a different selection process for the Muslim chaplain than those of other faiths."
The Islamic Society sued last year, claiming the FDNY fails to provide the same accommodations - like a prayer room - to Muslims as they do for other religious groups.
While the suit prompted some changes, the group said it now plans to take more legal action.
"We're also going to allege a retaliation claim," said Robert Perry, a lawyer for the FDNY Islamic Society. "I'm sure that one of the principle reasons why our candidate wasn't chosen is because our guys, the Islamic Society, brought this lawsuit and the fire department chose this way to retaliate against them."
The fire department said it's not a matter of retaliation, saying the Muslim chaplain it chose was most qualified.
I wonder if any of those intellectuals think there should be some modification in our immigration policies now.
Are you serious?
This combination Religion/government system is devoid of any positive useful human qualities other than Chutzpah.
Wait. I am repeating myself.
Hey! I’m speaking Arabic already!
Hmm...I guess that must mean Imam Abd'Allah Adesanya was the choice of the New York archdiocese and the Board of Rabbis. Or am I missing something?
Next? We have them already in NYC.
Parking is really a problem, but the Sanitation Deartment has to clean the streets.
Years ago it started out that on Christmas and Passover there would be no street
cleaning and therefore "alternative side of the street parking" regulations would be suspended..
Well, thereafter the Christians got a bunch more of their Holydays added, and so did the Jews.
About five years ago the Muslims got into the act, equal time dont'ya know and added there Holydays, so that you don't have to move your camel or Toyota, Allah be praised.
If I am not mistaken, he was killed by a falling body, someone who had jumped from the building.
The goal is for the US to become a Islamic nation.
I'm assuming the Chief has declined the use of the firestation as a meeting place for their cell. Now they've got to think of another excuse to meet with this guy. I'll lay odds that they'll all go to the mosque...
I for one have a lot of 5.56mm that says it might not be so easy for them.
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