Category: Americas, World Affairs Topics: Conflicts And War, Terrorism Views: 3626
3626
Arab and Muslim groups bracing themselves for anger
Arab and Muslim political groups are bracing themselves for a wave of anger and attacks after news broke on Thursday that the primary suspect behind the shooting deaths of twelve soldiers at Fort Hood had a Arabic and/or Muslim-sounding name.
Major Nidal Malik Hasan, a native of Virginia, is believed to have been responsible for opening fire on his fellow soldiers at the U.S. Army base.
It was not immediately clear whether Nidal Malik Hasan was, in fact, a Muslim, though reports surfaced that he had converted to the religion late in life.
By Thursday evening, nevertheless, Arab-American and Muslim-American advocacy organizations were already readying themselves for a backlash. The Arab-American Institute said it received one threatening call from an unidentified male shortly after reports surfaced that the name of the alleged shooting suspect was Nidal Malik Hasan. The group, which condemned the massacre, said it was expecting more.
"We like to give people the benefit of the doubt and chalk it up to being a reactionary thing," said Leigh O'Neill, director of government relations for the organization. "But there is a lot of hate out there and hate is hate. It is bipartisan and doesn't have geographic balance. We feel terrible for the victims today. And I wish people will understand when crime is crime and terrorism is terrorism."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil liberties organization for American Muslims, was, meanwhile, working fast to get ahead of a potential rise in anti-Muslim sentiment. The group was set to host a press conference at 8 p.m. on Thursday evening to condemn the attacks and "urge calm" in the aftermath of the shooting.
Ibrahim Hooper, the group's communications director, told the Huffington Post that they had not, as of 6:30 p.m. received any threatening calls, emails or other communiqus. The organization, he said, would be announcing publicly any such threats as they occurred - in hopes of dissuading people from making them in the first place.
At this juncture, again, there is no concrete reporting as to whether Nidal Malik Hasan was in fact a Muslim or an Arab. All that has been reported is that he served in the Department of Psychology at the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress at the Bethesda Naval Facility in Bethesda, Maryland. He is believed to be 39 or 40 years old.
Sam Stein writes for the Huffington Post
ISNA Condemns Attacks on Fort Hood Soldiers and Expresses Condolences to the Victims and Their Families
(Washington, DC - November 05, 2009) The Islamic Society of North America condemns in the strongest terms the attack on soldiers at Fort Hood, resulting in the murder of at least a dozen soldiers and the wounding of many others. We express our deepest condolences to the victims and their families.
Although many details of the shooting are unknown at this time, it appears that the attack was led by a career soldier, Major Nidal Malik Hasan. The soldier who led this attack was either mentally unstable, or was motivated by a perverted ideology for which there can be no justification.
ISNA is proud of the many Muslim men and women who serve loyally in the United States military. We are grateful for the sacrifices made by all US soldiers, who represent the religious, racial and ethnic diversity of America, to defend the Constitution and our national security. ISNA, a faith endorser of US Muslim military chaplains, is proud of the service they provide, offering comfort and support to people of all faiths and beliefs. Just today, ISNA's chaplain endorser, Dr. Louay Safi, conducted a workshop at the US army base in Fort Bliss, Texas.
ADC is Appalled by Attack on Fort Hood, Community Urged to Take Safety Precautions
Washington, DC | November 5, 2009 | The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is appalled by the attack that took place earlier today against soldiers and others at Fort Hood, Texas. Preliminary news reports have indicated that a rogue Army Major Malik Hasan and two others shot and killed at least 12 people and injured numerous others.
ADC President Mary Rose Oakar said, "This attack is absolutely deplorable. ADC has been consistent and on record in condemning any attacks aimed at innocents, no matter who the victims or the perpetrators may be. Such violence is morally reprehensible and has nothing to do with any religion, race, ethnicity, or national origin. ADC urges the FBI and law enforcement agencies to make every effort to see that justice is served." Oakar continued, "ADC also calls upon law enforcement agencies to provide immediate protection for all Mosques, community centers, schools, and any locations that may be identified or misidentified with being Arab, Muslim, South Asian or Sikh as a clear backlash has already started. The actions of a few should not invite a backlash on innocent members of any community and we urge law enforcement and others to keep that in mind.
Additionally, due to these tragic developments, ADC is releasing the following advisory statement to members of the Arab, Muslim, South Asian, and Sikh American communities. ADC feels it prudent to issue this advisory statement due to the potential of a backlash against these communities and given the historically documented acts of hate-motivated violence including vandalism against these communities.
ADC would like to emphasize that it is issuing this advisory based on experiences in the community in recent years, and purely as a precautionary measure. ADC presents these suggestions for the consideration of the Arab, Muslim, South Asian, and Sikh American communities, to be evaluated by each family and individual according to their own best judgment and in the context of their own situation and relationship with their local community. ADC urges everyone to exercise common sense and rely on their own best judgment, but offers the following as suggestions should the need arise:
- IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS PLACED IN PHYSICAL DANGER BECAUSE OF YOUR ETHNICITY, RELIGION, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN:
Call the police (dial 911 in most communities)
Contact the local FBI office, It is the FBI's job to investigate hate-motivated crimes and specific threats of violence. A list of FBI field offices is included on our website, please see: http://adc.org/fbi_field_office.htm
If the threat is imminent, go to a safe location such as a police station or church.
If you feel threatened in your home or community, move to a friend's house, or a hotel for as long as necessary.
Contact ADC to file a complaint by emailing the ADC Legal Department at< [email protected] > or by calling (202) 244-2990.
- IF YOUR PLACE OF WORK, PLACE OF WORSHIP, OR SCHOOL IS IDENTIFIED OR CAN BE MISIDENTIFIED WITH ARABS AND/OR MUSLIMS:
Make sure the location has an open line of communication with law enforcement.
Make sure you know all the exits to your building.
Make sure the location has a current emergency plan that is defined and can be implemented should the need arise.
- IF YOUR CHILD CAN BE IDENTIFIED AS ARAB OR MUSLIM, OR MAY BE CONFUSED FOR BEING OF MIDDLE-EASTERN ORIGIN:
Make sure you discuss the events with your children and that they feel comfortable speaking with an adult if they face harassment by others.
Make sure your children know what steps to take to avoid confrontation with other students.
Work with your children's school to implement an anti-discriminatory policy.
Click on the following link for a list of the FBI Field Offices across the country: http://adc.org/fbi_field_office.htm
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Older Comments:
YAZAN TO ALI PART 1 FROM USA said:
To Brother Ali. There is no doubt that what Hasan did was wrong and in violation of the deen and in violation of sound logic and in violation of the best interests of the Muslims, especially in America.
However under no circumstances should we let our anger at people or events cause us to say things that are against the Islamic teachings. It it is not permissible for us to say that this man Nidal Hasan will burn in Hell forever, despite the enormity of his crime.
I am not saying that what he did was permissible or that it wasnt evil and awful. I am trying to say that we as humans do not have control over Heaven and Hell and we do not have the right to judge who in specific will be in Heaven or Hell. That is Allah's Judgement. And for us to be so bold as to declare who Allah will forgive or not forigve or who Allah will send to Hell or not send to Hell is to claim knowledge that only Allah has.
It is from the Islamic creed, to the best of my knowledge, that we can not say for anyone that they specifically are for sure in the Hell-Fire or in Heaven unless a text mentioning them by name came in the Qur'an or the authentic hadeeths of the Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu 'alaihi wa sallam). The reason for this is that knowledge of the inhabitants of Heaven or Hell is knowledge that is with Allah alone. So in order for us to say that so and so by name is specifically in Heaven or Hell we need a proof from Allah. And since both the Qur'an and the Sunnah are revealed from Allah then they are a proof in the matter.
For instance the Qur'an declares that Satan and Pharoah and Abu Lahab will be in the Fire. And in the Sunnah the Prophet (peace and commendations be upon him) mentions that Abu Bakr and Umar and 'Uthmaan and 'Alee will be in Heaven. He mentioned them by name.
And Allah knows best.
However under no circumstances should we let our anger at people or events cause us to say things that are against the Islamic teachings. It it is not permissible for us to say that this man Nidal Hasan will burn in Hell forever, despite the enormity of his crime.
I am not saying that what he did was permissible or that it wasnt evil and awful. I am trying to say that we as humans do not have control over Heaven and Hell and we do not have the right to judge who in specific will be in Heaven or Hell. That is Allah's Judgement. And for us to be so bold as to declare who Allah will forgive or not forigve or who Allah will send to Hell or not send to Hell is to claim knowledge that only Allah has.
It is from the Islamic creed, to the best of my knowledge, that we can not say for anyone that they specifically are for sure in the Hell-Fire or in Heaven unless a text mentioning them by name came in the Qur'an or the authentic hadeeths of the Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu 'alaihi wa sallam). The reason for this is that knowledge of the inhabitants of Heaven or Hell is knowledge that is with Allah alone. So in order for us to say that so and so by name is specifically in Heaven or Hell we need a proof from Allah. And since both the Qur'an and the Sunnah are revealed from Allah then they are a proof in the matter.
For instance the Qur'an declares that Satan and Pharoah and Abu Lahab will be in the Fire. And in the Sunnah the Prophet (peace and commendations be upon him) mentions that Abu Bakr and Umar and 'Uthmaan and 'Alee will be in Heaven. He mentioned them by name.
And Allah knows best.
2009-11-12
SNC FROM USA said:
This article is funny. I get the feeling that some in the muslim community WANT a backlash. When was the last time there was any mass outrage levied toward Islam? Not even 911 garnered the kind of societal anger and hatred we saw from hundreds of thousands of muslims toward ALL westerners for the offence of a danish cartoon. Westerners don't collectively rage at other groups. We are not collectively violent (don't bother with the war analogy. I'm speaking of social violence not state). How many are murdered, mutilated and beheaded by the 'faithful' with no collective rage? When have we attacked the Saudi embassy for its citizenry killing our civilians? When have we burned mosques in the US for the murder of American journalists in Islam's name? Why do you think this would be any different of a reaction? We in the west do not collectively act this way. I've never even thought of attacking a muslim for the deeds of the few (Then again, I'm not some good ole boy who has a pick up truck with rifles in the back seat either)and I think most muslims would say the same about their orientation toward perceived western slights.
To Abdul Jaleel. I denounce all of the things you mentioned. Your turn.
To Abdul Jaleel. I denounce all of the things you mentioned. Your turn.
2009-11-11
DINO DEMARS FROM CANADA said:
To abdul-Jaleel
I think that denouncing crimes is a fantastic idea.
Where to start? How about the obvious - Islam spread by killing indigenous people on its way out of Arabia. Christians, Pagans, Zoroastrians, you name it. When you finish apologizing for that, you can start apologizing for the Muslim slave trade which lasted until the 1960s (As recently as the 1950s, the Saudi Arabia's slave population was estimated at 450,000 -- approximately 20% of the population). It always makes me laugh when a Muslim tries to bring up slavery as an 'evil of the West'. Where do you think the Europeans bought their first slaves? They bought them from the experts - the Muslim slave traders! They cut out the middle-man after a while but it started with the Muslims. After that, we can talk about the Armenian genocide, the millions killed in the Muslim conquest of India, the shameful 60 year old Palestian refugee camps in Muslim lands, terrorist attacks and suicide bombings. You denounce this and that's a good start towards recovery. Thanx
I think that denouncing crimes is a fantastic idea.
Where to start? How about the obvious - Islam spread by killing indigenous people on its way out of Arabia. Christians, Pagans, Zoroastrians, you name it. When you finish apologizing for that, you can start apologizing for the Muslim slave trade which lasted until the 1960s (As recently as the 1950s, the Saudi Arabia's slave population was estimated at 450,000 -- approximately 20% of the population). It always makes me laugh when a Muslim tries to bring up slavery as an 'evil of the West'. Where do you think the Europeans bought their first slaves? They bought them from the experts - the Muslim slave traders! They cut out the middle-man after a while but it started with the Muslims. After that, we can talk about the Armenian genocide, the millions killed in the Muslim conquest of India, the shameful 60 year old Palestian refugee camps in Muslim lands, terrorist attacks and suicide bombings. You denounce this and that's a good start towards recovery. Thanx
2009-11-10
ROBERT KOLAKOWSKI FROM USA said:
Salam
1. 99 out of 100 the US Military is lying about the Major (alleged gunner from Ft. Hood) not wanting to get out. The only problem was he wanted to avoid a bad form of discharge. I bet (he can punch me in a face, if he think that I am dragging his personal situation out) that the Army knows nothing, when entire HHC 1-4 INF REG JMRC HOHENFELS does know, that SPC (I bet he is at least a SSG, he was already an acting NCO) Zjajo did not want to get out -- just ask the US Army about SPC Zjajo from HHC INF in Hohenfels who left the unit in 2007; I bet, they will know nothing!
2. After CIA elected new leader of Nigeria, the Nigerians are going to act foolishly:
-1) the Muslims will scream "death to America;"
-2) the Catholics will call Mr. President "Satan;"
instead, they should ask this country for money bags; yes; they should argue, the US elects our leader: the US should pay for making our standard of living the same as in the USA! We want same salaries, universities, jobs, cars, and cable and satellite TV, PS 3 and game cube for our kids!
Robert Kolakowski son of Stanislaw son of Jozef out of Eugenia nee Zielinska born in December, 1973
Salam
1. 99 out of 100 the US Military is lying about the Major (alleged gunner from Ft. Hood) not wanting to get out. The only problem was he wanted to avoid a bad form of discharge. I bet (he can punch me in a face, if he think that I am dragging his personal situation out) that the Army knows nothing, when entire HHC 1-4 INF REG JMRC HOHENFELS does know, that SPC (I bet he is at least a SSG, he was already an acting NCO) Zjajo did not want to get out -- just ask the US Army about SPC Zjajo from HHC INF in Hohenfels who left the unit in 2007; I bet, they will know nothing!
2. After CIA elected new leader of Nigeria, the Nigerians are going to act foolishly:
-1) the Muslims will scream "death to America;"
-2) the Catholics will call Mr. President "Satan;"
instead, they should ask this country for money bags; yes; they should argue, the US elects our leader: the US should pay for making our standard of living the same as in the USA! We want same salaries, universities, jobs, cars, and cable and satellite TV, PS 3 and game cube for our kids!
Robert Kolakowski son of Stanislaw son of Jozef out of Eugenia nee Zielinska born in December, 1973
Salam
2009-11-09
NURAINI FROM MALAYSIA said:
actually, it isn't true that most acts of terrorism are conducted by muslims (yes i agree these kinds of senseless acts are either crimes or terrorism depending on the severity and intended effects). although as a muslim i have to say i am extremely aggrieved that it is not much closer to, or actually zero.
in recent history only, not counting govt institutions, the tamil tigers alone did more than all muslim-identified factions combined. although since they've been taken out this could in time change. in europe the stats of foiled terrorist attacks list the overwhelming majority not related to any muslim-identified organisation or cause whatsover.
if counting state terrorism, then well, i'm sure we know the peoples who perpertrate the most number of terrorist acts, without even needing to look at the stats. expand that backwards in history, again it is not muslims who perpetrated the most acts of terrorism.
we just get the most press in the caucasian worlds. authorities do not normally make a big hoo-ha over foiled attacks and stuff, so as not to create a sense of danger and panic in the country, but i think you make an exception if it's islam-related. there is in the caucasian cultural mind a fear of islam dating back from the christian era of your culture, and it has tipped long ago into the irrational. for this reason i have stopped feeling angry or try to change people, for this cannot be cured from without with the patient unwilling. i just include it in my daily risk calculations same as anything else.
in recent history only, not counting govt institutions, the tamil tigers alone did more than all muslim-identified factions combined. although since they've been taken out this could in time change. in europe the stats of foiled terrorist attacks list the overwhelming majority not related to any muslim-identified organisation or cause whatsover.
if counting state terrorism, then well, i'm sure we know the peoples who perpertrate the most number of terrorist acts, without even needing to look at the stats. expand that backwards in history, again it is not muslims who perpetrated the most acts of terrorism.
we just get the most press in the caucasian worlds. authorities do not normally make a big hoo-ha over foiled attacks and stuff, so as not to create a sense of danger and panic in the country, but i think you make an exception if it's islam-related. there is in the caucasian cultural mind a fear of islam dating back from the christian era of your culture, and it has tipped long ago into the irrational. for this reason i have stopped feeling angry or try to change people, for this cannot be cured from without with the patient unwilling. i just include it in my daily risk calculations same as anything else.
2009-11-09
ABDUL-JALEEL FROM US said:
To Fed up: First of denounce publicly all the crimes you are guilty of. Let's start with the mass killing of Indigenous people(Indians) here in america. When you finish apologizing for that then there is the slavery issue. When your done with that let's talk about the Jim Crow Laws. After that we can talk about the imprisonment of Asian Americans during the World-Wars. Then the lies in Iraqi nuclear weapons. You denounce this and that's a good start towards recovery. Thanx
2009-11-07
ALI FROM CANADA said:
I am a devout muslim and yesterday as soon as i heard his name, just remember hearing Hasan. I knew he was muslim. Under no condition can you kill non-combatants in Islam. His acts are dispicable, unhumane and utterly cowardly. He should be given the death penalty. I stand behind any victims of these type of crimes whether they are muslims or non-muslims. May Allah give patience/peace to the victims families. This murdere will burn in Hell
2009-11-07
KHALIL ABDULLAH FROM UNITED STATES said:
This stifles the progress we indigenous american muslims have
strived to make. If you dislike america so much just buy a plane
ticket back to your country of origin.
strived to make. If you dislike america so much just buy a plane
ticket back to your country of origin.
2009-11-06
FED UP FROM USA said:
One thing that may help your cause is to publicly denounce this type of violence through media venues. In most Americans eyes, even though you claim "Islam" to be a peaceful religion, most acts of terrorism worldwide are conducted in the name of Allah. If you truly live what you claim to believe then stand up and say so, otherwise you are part of the ongoing problem. The United States is forgiving, but not stupid.
2009-11-06
