Muslims Demand So Much Attention

[Curiosity]

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/w...ct21,0,1470737.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyork

I am confused by my reaction to this. It seems the religion of Islam has so many rules which actually demand of our economy, our way of life, our traditions - far more than any other religious group or culture. By their very nature of worship and custom of dress, we have had to accommodate them in
so many ways. Is this absolutely necessary or it is another method of attention-getting by a minority group? Why do they wish to live in a traditional western country and then change things to suit their own traditions? Europe has done this and they are thanked by bombings and riots. Is Islam really a religion?

West Point opens Islamic worship space as Muslim cadets increase

October 21, 2006, 10:45 AM EDT


WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) _ Muslims at the U.S. Military Academy numbered just two in 2001. This year, there are 32.

Now West Point has opened its first space dedicated to Muslims, a worship hall complete with a pulpit facing Mecca. The space officially opened Thursday.

http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/trb....diancontentnet;tile=2;sz=300x250;ord=24626024
"I knew the Army had a policy of religious tolerance, but I didn't know it was to this extent," said first-year Cadet Ahmed Moomin, 20, from the Maldives.

Until now, Friday prayers were held in an increasingly crowded first-floor office, said Imam Asadullah, the academy's Muslim cleric. The number of Muslim cadets jumped by 10 from last year.

The new hall is large enough for dozens of followers, he said.

West Point's Muslim leaders approached administrators last year for help.

"We live in a world where everyone is looking at the United States saying, 'You're anti-Islam.' But here at West Point, that's not what we do," West Point Chaplain Col. John Cook said.

Asadullah said the new hall is a strategic move.

"We have cadets here who are going to be the future of tomorrow," he said. "If we treat them differently from other cadets or other faiths, that will be a cause for future confrontation."

___

 

[Johnny Utah]

Right now Islam is seen as 9/11, The Bali Bombings, Madrid Bombings, London 7/7 Bombings, Beheadings because there has yet been a High Ranking Moderate Islamic Leader or Leaders to stand up against the Extremists and condem these Terrorist Attacks in the name of Islam..

The Moderates need to speak up now and save their religion from the Extremists or Islam will always be linked with Terrorism..

 

[earth_as_one]

If West Point already has a Chapel and a Synagogue, then how would creating a sacred place for Muslims to pray be special treatment?

THE CADET CHAPEL

The Cadet Chapel is a famous landmark and symbol of religious activities of the Military Academy and was designed by the renowned firm of Cram, Goodhue and Ferguson. Dedicated in 1910 and constructed of native granite, this building blends naturally into the surrounding landscape. The architecture combines the techniques and shapes of Gothic with the massiveness of medieval fortresses. This architectural theme subsequently dominated the other construction at West Point. ​

The Cadet Chapel organ (M.P. Moeller,) begun in 1911 and enlarged by memorial gifts is now the largest church organ in the world...​

http://www.usma.edu/Chaplain/cadetchapel.htm​

Last week, West Point's 18 graduating Jewish cadets - joined by classmates, family, alumni and several non-Jewish administrators - gathered in the Jewish chapel for a baccalaureate service before commencement. The choir sang, each graduate received a kiddush cup or candlesticks from the Jewish War Veterans, and Ari Fleischer, former White House press secretary to President Bush, addressed the crowd. "You provide a double mitzvah," he told the cadets. "The epaulets on our shoulders tell the world you are Americans; the faith in your hearts tells the world you are Jews."....

http://www.hillel.org/about/news/2005/jun/20050607_cadets.htm

I'd like to see a picture of that Mosque and compare it to the Chapel above. Perhaps someone can find a link to West Point's Mosque. If Muslims get special treatment compared to Christians, then it must really be something.

 

[tracy]

I don't see the big problem. These are men who will be serving their country in a way most of us aren't. Why is it a big deal to let them have a room to pray in, whether that be in a Christian service or a Muslim one? These ARE the moderates we've all been screaming for. They ARE taking a stand against extreme Islam by joining the US armed forces. Isn't that something we all want? It isn't like they asked West Point to change their uniforms or their policies. They asked for a room they could use, just like any other group at West Point.

 

[ottawabill]

I really don't have a problem with giving them a place to pray..where I have a problem is if they have time off to pray 5 times a day where everyone else would have to preform their military duties.

In Canada I couldn't care less if there are Sikh's in the Rcmp but to change the uniform's standards is a different thing.

This culture (north American) is very tolerant to many things...no problem... But if you come here adapt to the majority standards. That doesn't mean become white christian middleclass...but it does mean you should not upset the balance of your host society....does it not?

 

[tracy]

I really don't have a problem with giving them a place to pray..where I have a problem is if they have time off to pray 5 times a day where everyone else would have to preform their military duties.
\

This is common sense IMO. As far as I can tell they never asked for such accomodation.

 

[EastSideScotian]

Thats Important, if you expect men and woman to die for their country you better accomadte their faiths.

as for us bending our rules to accomadate Muslims, It think its only fair to Tolerate other faiths and cultures. Do on to Others as you would have them do on to you. Regardless of the treatment Christians and Jews and Hindus get in thier Muslim Home Countries, it is important to show the devide that if they do not want to Tolorate us, that is sad for their Religion teaches them too, if they wish to ignore it then fine, We wont ignore ours nor our Morales.

 

[Curiosity]

I had to read more on the topic and found one interesting description of prayer and holiday expectations which Muslims follow - many of which would be outside the Academic facilities I guess.

Everyone should have equal opportunity for reflection and dedication to their religious beliefs however Muslims seems to have it numerous times a day and then will they be taking the whole month of Ramaden off for special circumstances?

Then the curriculum will have to be adjusted, etc. Jewish and Christian religions seem to coincide in many areas and are symbiotic - I hope the Islamic students' goals will also fit in.

I wonder how the previous students dealt with this over the years? There were many Islamic students when we were more friendly with the middle east - especially the wealthy sons of the Sauds and other oil barons.

Anyway here is the link of expected prayers....http://www.student.org/islam/30days.htm

 

[Andem]

I love the way people say things along the lines of let them adapt, they are not in their home country. It's great that they have home countries, but our home country is being overrun by foreigners and being changed rapidly to accomidate them.

What about our home country?

 

[earth_as_one]

Canada is my home country.

Freedom of Religion is a fundamental freedom enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

These people are our doctors, lawyers, soldiers, police.... We should welcome them, not discriminate against them.

 

[tracy]

Everyone should have equal opportunity for reflection and dedication to their religious beliefs however Muslims seems to have it numerous times a day and then will they be taking the whole month of Ramaden off for special circumstances?

I've worked with people from all religions, and most of them adapted to the job with reasonable accomodations. There will always be jerks who think their religion entitles them to special treatment, but that isn't the norm fortunately. I have worked with several Christian nurses who thought they should never have to work a Sunday shift. They aren't the majority fortunately or I would've had to work every weekend. I've known muslim nurses to pray on their breaks at work, but it never interfered with their work. None of them ever stopped working for Ramadan

IMO, this type of behavior isn't really about religion, it's about our growing sense of entitlement. You wouldn't believe how many nurses think that being mothers entitles them to holidays off or having a husband means they should have time off or taking a class means they should have every weekend off, etc. It goes on and on. Everybody seems to think they are so special.

 

[Sassylassie]

Andem wrote: love the way people say things along the lines of let them adapt, they are not in their home country. It's great that they have home countries, but our home country is being overrun by foreigners and being changed rapidly to accomidate them.

What about our home country?

Bang on Andem the slippery slope of accomadating them is followed by pandering to them and we lose our culture along the way because the PC crowd is so afraid of offending them with the truth. I've stopped believing it's about religion freedoms, I believe this is an organized movement to force Extreme Islam down our throats and if we speak up we are called nasty names like Racist. Well guess what nay sayers it's not a race but a religion that is slaughtering people daily in the name of Islam. I won't be silenced, look what the PC crowd have done to England, France, German, the list is endless.

Andem I read a long article on Germany and what Islam is doing to that country would you like me to Email you a copy, bewarned it frightened the **** out of me.

 

[CDNBear]

If West Point already has a Chapel and a Synagogue, then how would creating a sacred place for Muslims to pray be special treatment?





I'd like to see a picture of that Mosque and compare it to the Chapel above. Perhaps someone can find a link to West Point's Mosque. If Muslims get special treatment compared to Christians, then it must really be something.

I don't think it is any real issue, with regards to a mosque, th eissue is in how they position themselves and voice their opposition.

The West was built predominantly, by Christians and Natives, you suppose that may have played a major roll, in how things were structured.

The seperation of Church and state, is a myth. As much as they have removed Christ, from schools, Governement and the Military, it is so deeply entrenched, that it will not cease as a foundation of principle and morality.

It does not make or soldiers, Government officials, police, justices, educators or any other authority figures pervayors of Christian theology, it just means that as the ME, was built on the teachings of the Old Testament and Mohammed, the West was built on the Teachings of the Old/New Testament and Jesus.

Like many have said, we would not as citizens travel to the ME and force our values and religion on them, but the actions of our leaders, say something completely different. So they use these acts to justify theirs.

 

[Paladin]

I love the way people say things along the lines of let them adapt, they are not in their home country. It's great that they have home countries, but our home country is being overrun by foreigners and being changed rapidly to accomidate them.

What about our home country?

I am a minority group and a Canadian citizen, I was born in this country so this is "my home country", so i should have every right to practise any religious beliefs or cultural practises just as you should.
On a side not if you ever want to have this country as an economic super power you need to bring in a heck of a lot more people cause our growth rate is dismal.

 

[Curiosity]

Everyone seems so rational and that is good....because....

...I still remember 9/11 and Islamic males flew the planes...not Jews... not Christians.........so why are we bending over to accommodate young Islamic males at a U.S. military academy???

It is as if the U.S. are afraid and by being "nice" and giving in to their wishes, they won't attack again.

I wish I could go back to being accommodating and understanding but why is the nation giving so much to appease these few who happen to worship within a religion which has caused harm to the U.S. and other friendly western nations. Would Canada feel the same if their country had been attacked?

But it is still their right under the Constitution and that document was far more just than I can be in my heart.... Something doesn't sit well.....

 

[CDNBear]

Everyone seems so rational and that is good....because....

...I still remember 9/11 and Islamic males flew the planes...not Jews... not Christians.........so why are we bending over to accommodate young Islamic males at a U.S. military academy???

It is as if the U.S. are afraid and by being "nice" and giving in to their wishes, they won't attack again.

I wish I could go back to being accommodating and understanding but why is the nation giving so much to appease these few who happen to worship within a religion which has caused harm to the U.S. and other friendly western nations. Would Canada feel the same if their country had been attacked?

But it is still their right under the Constitution and that document was far more just than I can be in my heart.... Something doesn't sit well.....

WC, I know from our little tete et tete's, that you are a fiercely proud American. These young men and women, are as fierce and proud as you. Anyone and I mean anyone, willing to dawn the Uniform of our Nations, walk into battle to up hold our rights and freedoms, die if so ordered to or command our men and women, with dignety and resolve, deserves to have a place of worship of their own.

 

[Curiosity]

Bear

I hope you are right. I hope they will learn in their few short years what the nation was really founded upon and not what their Mullah's have taught them from childhood on. They may be fully integrated into western society and have a love for the nation already. I can only hope they derive benefit and positive feelings for what they are becoming a part of.

I am fierce - but not an American yet. I am still a legal guest in the land although I feel at home here.

 

[tracy]

WC, I know from our little tete et tete's, that you are a fiercely proud American. These young men and women, are as fierce and proud as you. Anyone and I mean anyone, willing to dawn the Uniform of our Nations, walk into battle to up hold our rights and freedoms, die if so ordered to or command our men and women, with dignety and resolve, deserves to have a place of worship of their own.

He said it better than I could. I see no sense in not treating these men with basic courtesy when they are willing to die for this country. I don't see giving them a room to pray in as anything particularly difficult or as appeasement. I have no trouble separating them from the people who would murder 3000 innocent citizens in a horrific terrorist attack. I don't think it's even really fair to even mention them in the same sentence.

 

[earth_as_one]

I think CDNBear nailed this one. If someone serves their country as a soldier, then they have earned the same rights and freedoms as the people they protect.