Moslems Slam FDNY Chaplain Choice

NY1 cable news ^ | 10/16/01 | No pleasing these guys

[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.

[TheMole]

Uhhh ... I think most of the posters to this thread are laboring under a few misconceptions. I am pretty sure that all or almost all of the Muslims on the FD of New York are born-in-the-USA black Muslims hired under racial quotas. It's a little weird that Kevin James hasn't changed his name to Malik Shabazz or whatever, but it's probably not compulsory. The chaplain they don't like is probably an Arab immigrant from the Middle East; the imam they wanted is likely a black American.

[NativeNewYorker]

10 - I think he meant that the top chaplain for FDNY died in the WTC attack.

[Don Joe]

"One day he let me in on the BIG SECRET. Though he liked me well enough, he would have to kill me when the revolution came, 'cause I was the 'white devil'. YIKES!"

Well, at first blush that may sound bad, but think of how much worse it would be if islam wasn't such a peaceful religion.

So count yer blessings and quit whining! Besides, it's divisive.

[Don Joe]

"Maybe I'm mistaken, but I thought he was killed along with some of the firefighters at the WTC. I'll see if I can find one."

If this post (#14) is correct, *shudder*!

[Don Joe]

"And so it begins. In a generation the U.S. will look like the Middle-East. We won't be able to do anything for fear of the Muslims and what they might do."

I understand that they're pretty up-front about that being their agenda, so we shouldn't be surprised.

[Comus]

I for one have a lot of 5.56mm that says it might not be so easy for them.

My wife says if I bring any more into the house, it will crack the slab.

[mountaineer]

Did any Moslem fire fighters die in the WTC?

Did any Moslem firefighter call off on Sept. 11, knowing what was going to happen? We've already heard that a lot of Moslems who worked in WTC offices didn't show up for work that day. Perhaps we should ask Kevin James.

[Wm Bach]

I think he meant that the top chaplain for FDNY died in the WTC attack.

Yeah, Father Mike Judge, O.F.M.. He was a family friend, a really nice guy. He died giving Last Rights and comforting fallen firefighters/victims. NO ONE will be able to fill his shoes.

[harpseal]

You are not the only one with a whole lot of 5.56mm X 45mm that would vote out a Muslim theocracy in the USA.

Stay well - stay safe - stay armed - Yorktown

[putupon]

Will a fireman's helment fit over a turban? Do the they make fire resistant turbans? This does not seem like a good line of work for a raghead.

[Travis McGee]

That's a good feeling. Better cache some more.