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Title: Two Cheers For American Tolerance
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Published: Aug 13, 2010
Author: Shikha Dalmia,
Post Date: 2010-08-13 11:01:16 by tom007
Keywords: None
Views: 335
Comments: 10
Two Cheers For American Tolerance Shikha Dalmia, 08.12.10, 02:25 PM EDT The mosque controversy shows that America manages its hatreds better than any other country. pic Sarah Palin has not only revealed herself to be linguistically challenged in "refudiating" the proposed "mosque" near Ground Zero, but also emotionally overwrought. "It stabs hearts," she tweeted to her fellow mosque-bashers. But Palin notwithstanding, the way this country has comported itself during this controversy represents a damn fine moment for humanity. As a naturalized American, let me just say that if every country handled its hatreds as well as this one, this world wouldn't be a half-bad place to live in. It is painfully obvious that opposition to the Cordoba House, as this structure would be called, is motivated less by a desire to protect the memory of 9/11 victims and more by a knee-jerk suspicion of Muslims. If it were not, mosque-bashers wouldn't have so much difficulty processing some basic but crucial facts about the structure. The "mosque," for instance, is not really a mosque but an Islamic community center--complete with a swimming pool, auditorium, bookstores and restaurants--along the lines of the many YMCAs or Jewish community centers around the country. It will house a place of worship, but it won't blare muezzin calls summoning Muslims to pray five times a day, suggesting that it has a fairly relaxed attitude toward Quranic strictures. Nor will it be a Muslim-only place where members of other faiths are unwelcome; rather it will be open to anyone willing to pay its dues. Best (or worst) of all, it won't be "on" Ground Zero, but two blocks and a bend away at a spot not visible to World Trade Center visitors. None of this is preventing some opponents from bizarrely suggesting that the center represents a surreptitious attempt to glorify Islamic victory on American soil. But a victory statement communicated through esoteric means negates itself because such means signal weakness, not strength. What's more, it is one odd victory statement when its alleged authors are not claiming any moral high ground for their putative side. To the contrary, the couple, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and his wife Daisy Khan, who are spearheading the center, have "refudiated" the 9/11 attacks in particular and Islamic terrorism in general. They have qualms about U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East that plenty of nonterrorist Americans would share. And they are Sufis, the moderate and mystical sect of Islam that is known for its refined music and art, not its militancy. In fact, by all auguries, they are modern and liberated Muslims who seem rather embarrassed by the hot-headed jihadis who speak for their religion. Their whole project was conceived in order to highlight the more benign, moderate side of Islam and build bridges with other faiths. Newsweek Editor Fareed Zakaria is absolutely right when he notes that, "if there is ever going to be a reformist movement in Islam, it is going to emerge from places like the proposed mosque." It is possible that the center is really an elaborate ruse for some sinister anti-American agenda--just as it is possible that America's next president could be a Manchurian candidate installed by the Chinese. But to suspect such an agenda in the face of massive evidence to the contrary testifies to just how deep-seated the suspicion against Muslims is in this country. Related Stories Since I support property rights, I support their right to build the mosque, and I'm glad you mentioned that issue, but some of the arguments you're using to support your position are weak and mislead.... Read All Comments (11) Post a Comment But this is precisely why it is all the more remarkable that this resentment hasn't boiled over into active persecution--something that would hardly be possible any place else in the world. To be sure, this controversy has triggered a backlash against other proposed mosques in the country, with opponents holding protest rallies with dogs in tow to taunt Muslims who regard dogs as napaak, or impure. And Republicans in some races have turned this controversy into something of a rallying cry to energize their base. But that's about the worst of it. On the other hand, to this country's enormous credit, New York City's Landmark Preservation Commission unanimously rejected demands that it subvert local zoning ordinances allowing houses of worship in the area "as a right" to scuttle the project. (Mosque opponents had wanted the commission to declare the existing Burlington Coat Factory on the site a landmark so that nothing else could be built there.) Page: 1 2 Next > A Gulf Between Obama And Katrina Radical State Excerptimage WikiLeaks And The Ongoing Beat Of The Cyberwar Drums Simmons On Ground Zero Mosqueimage Reader Comments Since I support property rights, I support their right to build the mosque, and I'm glad you mentioned that issue, but some of the arguments you're using to support your position are weak and mislead [Read More] Posted by KingAlbert | 08/13/10 10:16 AM EDT One more item, I forgot to mention in my previous posts (the double post was an error on my part): The ad hominem attack on Sarah Palin was just uncalled for and added nothing to the argument. It was [Read More] Posted by mbabbitt | 08/13/10 10:02 AM EDT Well, I read most of your articles with relish to gain perspective. this article gave me just that. But, One part bothers me. The fact that it is always the American to yield and tolerate rather than [Read More] Posted by cornflake | 08/13/10 09:38 AM EDT Read All Comments (11) Post a Comment
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#1. To: tom007 (#0)
What do the author and Palin both get wrong? They think NYC is part of America.
Nobody hates their own race. Ask them what race they belong to.
I'm all for tolerance. There's a (for real) proposal for a gay bar for Islamic men to be built right beside the proposed mosque, which advertises openly and invites all Muslim men around to come on inside. I, in the spirit of tolerance, fully support this. It would be nice too if, in the name of tolerance, we can set up a couple of large, beautiful Catholic churches smack dab in the middle of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Make it open to all comers, in order to welcome diversity and celebrate our differences and what makes us unique. Because I'm tolerant, and I care.
"The more artificial taboos and restrictions there are in the world, the more the people are impoverished.... The more that laws and regulations are given prominence, the more thieves and robbers there will be." - Lao Tzu, 6th century BC
NYC should license about a dozen street-vendors to hawk King James Bibles and pork BBQ sandwiches in front of the mosque.
__________________________________________________________ Indiddly do sir. To be honest, I really can't philosophically state that they shouldn't be "allowed" to build any ol' thing they want on the property they ostensibly own or will own soon. That's their right. But that's as far as my tolerance goes, because we all know that this is being built in the spirit of rubbing everybody's nose in it, and no other reason. They are openly dissing pretty much America in general. And that's their right too. But by golly, open up that gay bar for Islamic men, set some Bible vendors right outside on the sidewalk and like you say, order up some deee-licious pork barbecue, also conveniently located on the sidewalk outside. Because, you know, we're all about tolerance. :) It would be a damned shame, if you ask me, if the place kept catching on fire. Hopefully, we're all tolerant, especially the fire department sent to put out the fires, and the contractor guys sent out to continually rebuild it.
"The more artificial taboos and restrictions there are in the world, the more the people are impoverished.... The more that laws and regulations are given prominence, the more thieves and robbers there will be." - Lao Tzu, 6th century BC
As some other wag put it, go to Mecca or Medina and demand the "right" to buy property and build a Catholic cathedral in the center of town. I don't give two shits about muslims. They shouldn't be allowed in America IMO, their retarded death-cult is totally opposed to Western Civilization. Hell, they couldn't even support a railroad network in the early 20th century, they were still stuck on camels as their primary mode of transportation.
__________________________________________________________ I believe that wag was me. :) That was mentioned, of course, because obviously the author is wanting tolerance, and naturally I'm certain that if he presumes to speak for Islam, that must mean that they are open to displaying tolerance. heh
"The more artificial taboos and restrictions there are in the world, the more the people are impoverished.... The more that laws and regulations are given prominence, the more thieves and robbers there will be." - Lao Tzu, 6th century BC
Re read it.
"Satan / Cheney in "08" I am sorry to that.
"Satan / Cheney in "08" I gotta disagree, the Ottomans did a pretty good job building railroads, it's the Arabs that are inept. But you can't really build a railroad through sand dunes, either.
"Chicago politicians are NOT officially dead until they have failed to vote in TWO presidential elections.” - Cynicom
The Ay-rabs were throwing down hay in front of cars as a tribute to their mystical workings as late as the 1930's.
__________________________________________________________
#2. To: tom007 (#0)
(Edited)
#3. To: SonOfLiberty (#2)
"This man is Jesus,” shouted one man, spilling his Guinness as Barack Obama began his inaugural address. “When will he come to Kenya to save us?"
-Schweizerische Schuetzenzeitung (Swiss Shooting Federation) April, 1941
#4. To: X-15 (#3)
#5. To: SonOfLiberty (#4)
To be honest, I really can't philosophically state that they shouldn't be "allowed" to build any ol' thing they want on the property they ostensibly own or will own soon.
"This man is Jesus,” shouted one man, spilling his Guinness as Barack Obama began his inaugural address. “When will he come to Kenya to save us?"
-Schweizerische Schuetzenzeitung (Swiss Shooting Federation) April, 1941
#6. To: X-15 (#5)
#7. To: SonOfLiberty (#2)
It would be nice too if, in the name of tolerance, we can set up a couple of large, beautiful Catholic churches smack dab in the middle of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Make it open to all comers, in order to welcome diversity and celebrate our differences and what makes us unique. Because I'm tolerant, and I care.
#8. To: X-15 (#5)
As some other wag put it, go to Mecca or Medina and demand the "right" to buy property and build a Catholic cathedral in the center of town. I don't give two shits about muslims. They shouldn't be allowed in America IMO, their retarded death-cult is totally opposed to Western Civilization. Hell, they couldn't even support a railroad network in the early 20th century, they were still stuck on camels as their primary mode of transportation.
#9. To: X-15 (#5)
Hell, they couldn't even support a railroad network in the early 20th century, they were still stuck on camels as their primary mode of transportation.
#10. To: Dakmar (#9)
I gotta disagree, the Ottomans did a pretty good job building railroads, it's the Arabs that are inept. But you can't really build a railroad through sand dunes, either.
"This man is Jesus,” shouted one man, spilling his Guinness as Barack Obama began his inaugural address. “When will he come to Kenya to save us?"
-Schweizerische Schuetzenzeitung (Swiss Shooting Federation) April, 1941
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