For students living on Beige Block, the potential move of the liquor store closer to the area may be a godsend.
But to Ahmed Rushdie, the news is nothing less than "insulting."
Officials familiar with the negotiations say that there are talks to move the 41st and Market streets liquor store to 43rd and Walnut streets, a location close in proximity to a K-8 school and a community mosque.
The Masjid Al-Jamia Mosque is located at 4228 Walnut St., while the Penn-Alexander school is at 4209 Spruce St.
Rushdie, a professor in Penn's Near Eastern Language and Civilizations Department and a board member of Masjid Al-Jamia, says the move raises serious issues for Muslims in the area - under Islamic law, it is illegal for Muslims to consume alcohol.
Rushdie's concerns go further than religious convictions, however: He said Masjid Al-Jamia is most concerned about the possible negative side effects that a liquor store might have for the area.
"Most importantly, it's really bad for the neighborhood because there are many families, and [it would be] less than 300 feet from the school on 42nd" Street, he said. "We're not disputing the relocation of this store because it's a religious matter only."
Although the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has denied that there are present plans to move the store, Spruce Hill Community Association officials and the building's developer have both confirmed that a zoning-board meeting - in which community members will be allowed to voice their concerns - will be held Feb. 28 to discuss the move.
"I'm sure the mosque will be there, make their case [and] be heard," said Barry Grossbach, chairman of the Spruce Hill Zoning Committee. All parties "have the right to speak, and then the zoning committee decides."
If the PLCB were to move locations, they would need to obtain a permit approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
And the Muslim community hopes that, at the meeting, its voice will be heard.
"If this is the motivation of the establishment or to further fuel the pockets of the government through liquor tax, I'm unsure," said area resident Asalamu Alaikum, a member of Masjid Al-Jamia. "However, we all agree that we don't want to see our community fall victim to these types of establishments, as others have done all too often."
College junior Artina Sheikh, vice president of the Penn Muslim Student Association, also spoke out against the possible relocation.
"The MSA is extremely concerned over this issue and objects to this establishment because of the moral implications of permitting wider distribution of alcohol to society at large," she said.
But Grossbach said he hopes that an amiable conclusion can eventually be reached.
"Everyone is looking to find some solution . that is acceptable across the board," he said.
Comments
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To all the people quoted in the article: Where does the following come from: "...we don't want to see our community fall victim to these types of establishments..." and "...moral implications of permitting wider distribution of alcohol to society at large..." 1. Every neighborhood I've ever lived in has had a liquor store. None of them "fell victim" to them. There are plenty of other things, much worse than a neighborhood liquor store, that affect an area. How about we focus on them first. 2. If you're morally opposed to having a liquor store across the street from a mosque, then argue that. I can understand that argument. But please don't argue that there are "moral implications" of alcohol distribution in general. My religion and moral upbringing doesn't teach that and I have no desire to abide by that rule.
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What this article fails to mention is that there is a Beer distributor at 43rd and Walnut directly across 43rd from the mosque and exactly one block from the school. I agree that establishing a liquor store across the street from a mosque near a school isn't a great idea, but if a similar store already exists, why not mention it in the story, and why isn't the community up at arms about it?
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Say no to Sharia law in America.
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[QUOTE id="4f21d6ec-8b01-47e9-bc03-f1827fe11522"]Say no to Sharia law in America.[/QUOTE] Yeah, read the Quran. Muslims just don't realize that to a post-enlightenment mind, reading the the Quran is the last thing we should do for their benefit. Muslims plot that since a bunch of illiterates, and jungle-dwellers who knew nothing better were convinced by it (albeit with a little persuasion of the scimitar type) that the same tactic will work on the Western (White) man. Um, no. We know better. We've read a few books already. Some that you as a Muslim are prohibited from reading, for the Mullah's fear that it will open your mind, and actually force you to THINK for yourself. We've seen a few philosophers in our neck of the woods, as well as a few crackpot fascists. The Quran is a bad book. If it were not being shoved down people's throats, it would be in the dustbin of history (a time that can not come to soon). It is a contemptuous, presumptuous, rambling, repetitive, bastardized book of obvious lies. Anyone who believes that what is written within came from the creator of all life and the universe is a dangerous person. No "God" would have a message so filled with violence and enmity for mankind. No messenger of such "God" would have acted so abhorrently during his lifetime and spoken so badly of other men. What the world faces now is the legacy of a brutal mad man and his supremacist Arab cult of blood that he used to run amok. Mohammad condoned rape, stealing, lying, slavery, and murder, and had sex with a 9 year old girl at the age of 53. Some "prophet". It's all in the Quran. Muslims just have no perspective. No context for introspection. Sad, but mostly, dangerous. Islam is a farce. A cruel and insane hoax perpetrated upon the ignorant by rich men in dresses and poofy hats who rule with iron fists and outlaw for man now what they promise for him some some blissful afterlife for the obedient. Grow up Muslims. Before the punishment your religion is founded upon is turned back upon you.
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[QUOTE id="4f21d6ec-8b01-47e9-bc03-f1827fe11522"]Say no to Sharia law in America.[/QUOTE] Say no to ignorance in America...Don't hate appreciate. Don't hate before first learning about the subject matter...read the Quran first. Don't believe the hype. Be informed.
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[QUOTE id="4f21d6ec-8b01-47e9-bc03-f1827fe11522"]Say no to Sharia law in America.[/QUOTE] From your reply, you definitely sound like an individual who is scared of the Quran. I did not ask that you believe in the book. I did not even ask that you like the Quran. All, I asked is that you not buy into the hype and go directly to the source of centention...The Qur'an. Accept it or reject it. At the very least, you would be talking with a certain sense of authority instead of the none sense you were writing about. If you're going to be a critic, at least be an informed one. Don't be afraid of the Qur'an. I assure you, it won't bite.
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You tell me my post was ignorant without saying why. That is how children debate. [QUOTE id="4f21d6ec-8b01-47e9-bc03-f1827fe11522"]Say no to Sharia law in America.[/QUOTE]
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[QUOTE id="4f21d6ec-8b01-47e9-bc03-f1827fe11522"]Say no to Sharia law in America.[/QUOTE] I agree with mr thomas.He is accurate and sensible..This is America not Saudi "America".
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it's totally insane that the rest of us should have to observe someone else's religious laws, just because they might be "offended" if we drink alcohol. bring on the liquor store.
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Dear Ahmed, we are deeply saddened that you are "insulted." Perhaps moving to a different country would eliminate these insults that we Americans are so free with. What do ya think, Ahmed?
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[QUOTE id="01ab1343-c4d5-4ff0-8718-2d29450424be"]Dear Ahmed, we are deeply saddened that you are "insulted." Perhaps moving to a different country would eliminate these insults that we Americans are so free with. What do ya think, Ahmed?[/QUOTE] Hmm. I did not think about that. I'll take it under consideration. In the meantime, could I interest you in reading the Quran ? I'll leave after you've completed your reading of the Quran. Is that a deal ?
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Rushdie, a professor in Penn's Near Eastern Language and Civilizations Department and a board member of Masjid Al-Jamia, says the move raises serious issues for Muslims in the area - under Islamic law, it is illegal for Muslims to consume alcohol. I must have missed the part where anyone was being forced to consume alcohol.
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...we don't want to see our community fall victim to these types of establishments... That could also of apply to Christians and other faiths when they see mosques going up everywhere, they are in England, we are going to have one of the biggest in Europe soon.
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a question for Artina Sheikh...just what are the "moral implications of permitting wider distribution of alcohol to society at large"? alcohol has been distributed in my country since its inception and we remain a very moral society. also, we had this little values failure in America not too long ago called PROHIBITION, perhaps you didn't attend class that day...if you don't like alcohol, don't drink, and don't force your values on me
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Muslims and their constant complaints and demands. If it's not demanding prayer spaces everywhere, or cab drivers refusing to transport infidels, or taking offense at cartoons, it's now the Islamification of the neighborhoods in which they reside, all the while complaining of "Islamophobia". Fit in, like everyone else has who have come to America before you, or leave. There are plenty of Muslim countries in this world where you won't have to worry about all these things, and where the freedoms that the American Democracy are built upon won't get in the way of your pursuit of Sharia-compliant happiness. If you don't like liquor stores, don't go into them. If you don't like cartoons, don't read them. If you are not willing to transport everyone in your cab, find a different career. If you want to pray instead of watching sports, stay home or go to your mosque and watch it on TV. Oh, and you might want to stop the jihad too. That would go a long way to reducing the "Islamophobia" we "pigs and monkeys" are so apparently exhibiting.
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Lets see Mr. Rushdie, are you not offended by the way muslims kill people all around the world in the name of your moon god allah? Let me tell you I am very much offended byt such murder in the name of a false god or should I say in the name of your true god satan! If you don't drink alcohol, then do not by it and consume it. This is the land of the free not the land of islamic bondage. My suggestion to you Mr. Rushdie is to leave this great country and move to a country where they allow bondage and slavery and murder of infidels. I for one am tired of your pagan beliefs being spewed across this great land. If you do not like this land...LEAVE and do it soon, because now we know who you are and we are tired of your islamic trash and we will start doing to you just what your jiahdist are doing to our great American soldiers and other Americans around this world. We will put an American woop ass on you and all like you...want to try us? You should fear greatly!!! In American Truth, Ormus
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These muslims believe that they are in their own country. You're in the good old USA...either love it or leave it. Take your sharia law and shove it where the sun don't shine. And if that's not possible, flush it down the toilet. Demonstrate to me where in your country does a christain have the right to make demands that Islam adhere to our customs and beliefs. Is it any wonder why so many americans are fed up with muslims to a point that we all could lose our heads and heavens know what we are capable of. The USA is not Britain where the British parliment bows down to Islamist demands.
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Most of you posting seem to be filled with so much hate. From my understanding, individuals from a mosque (or church or synagogue or neighborhood) are acting completely within their rights to try and fight the move of a liquor store (or any other establishment) into their neighborhood. Am I missing something? Is there something un-American about that? Google "church protest liquor" and you can find a large number of churches that have objected to the same thing. Some people believe it is a social ill (though I don't) and have every right to peacefully try and keep it out of their neighborhood without being accused of trying to overthrow the entire system of government. Not to mention of course that one of the men quoted said it was not simply a religious objection, but the belief that the store would detract from the neighborhood. Whether that belief is a fair one or not is what you should be arguing, not that this objection makes them "un-American".
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Come on everyone. If it was a church instead of a mosque, I can guarantee there would be a lot of parishoners vocally protesting a new liquor store across the street. Perhaps even some of you would. Yes, it is a more sensitive issue when the religion forbids alcohol. But even if it was a Christian establishment, there would still be moral qualms about a new store. So stop making this an anti-Muslim outcry. Also- as I'm glad "sciencegeek" pointed out, University City Beverages, the beer store, is right next to the mosque and school right now. Shame on the author for failing to point out that extremely relevant fact.
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I can guarantee there would be a lot of parishoners vocally protesting a new liquor store across the street. I have never seen such a protest. Are we all to become dhimmis to the extreme demands of the Islamists? There is no American law against opening licensed liquor stores. There is no zoning violation here. Soon they will be telling us that women have to go to beaches in burqhinis so that their sensibilities won`t be harmed. This is still the USA isn`t it?
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Oh look! Muslims are upset again. What a surprise. It never seems to end. One thing after another. Like they are just trying to wear us down. And don't forget to "read the Quran". So that you can get relief by converting to Islam. In the end, those are the choices - convert or suffer. A simple look around the globe and through history will make it all quite clear. Allahu Akbar and your grandchildren are all Muslims. Or dead.
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2 notes before I leave. 1. Thomas. Because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. http://www.naaapi.org/nowineshop/media.html is a story from Philadelphia in which "Church leaders, dental students and residents of the Nicetown-Tioga section of the city are determined to keep a liquor store from opening in their community." http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0511/25/sitroom.03.html shows "In Philadelphia, another pastor tried to attract a convenience store chain as competition to force out a nearby liquor store." 2. Christian- there are enough Christian missionaries and televangelists that tell me the same thing: Read the Bible, convert or suffer. Let's keep this in perspective. This is about the relocation of a liquor store into a neighborhood where many residents don't want it. They have a right to protest. As you all say- this is America, isn't it?
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Ang. Your link takes me to Saddam`s trial. Not to where you said it would. The Islamists have a right to protest and we have a right to criticize them for their belligerent, forceful way. But there is no law against opening liquor stores so they have no viable right to protest. Therefore it is incumbent on us all to support the rights of the business people who wish to operate a legitimate business. If we don`t we'll all wind up like the good folks in Eurabia who are bowing under to the yoke of Islamofascism. As we have discovered, everywhere on the planet, they are in bloody conflict with their neighbors. [QUOTE id="bb26eb1f-f6fb-4938-accd-2ca10e515190"]2 notes before I leave. 1. Thomas. Because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. http://www.naaapi.org/nowineshop/media.html is a story from Philadelphia in which "Church leaders, dental students and residents of the Nicetown-Tioga section of the city are determined to keep a liquor store from opening in their community." http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0511/25/sitroom.03.html shows "In Philadelphia, another pastor tried to attract a convenience store chain as competition to force out a nearby liquor store." 2. Christian- there are enough Christian missionaries and televangelists that tell me the same thing: Read the Bible, convert or suffer. Let's keep this in perspective. This is about the relocation of a liquor store into a neighborhood where many residents don't want it. They have a right to protest. As you all say- this is America, isn't it?[/QUOTE]
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I just can't believe the level of ignorance in these posts. Everyone here is using this story to show showcase their hatred and blatant intolerance. There is nothing to be upset by here. Zoning hearings are not to rubber stamp plans, Thomas, they are to get community input to decide on the merits of the proposed establishments. And Christian, you apparently forget about the history of your faith. Look to the indigenous people of the Americas to see what Christians did to those who failed to convert.
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[QUOTE id="06adfb2b-2123-4bde-a6e2-0cc242a9fd01"] Look to the indigenous people of the Americas to see what Christians did to those who failed to convert.[/QUOTE] You show me where what they did was justified in the New Testament. What so called "Christians" did to the native indians were done despite the New Testament teachings. And what Muslims have done is because of it. Look at the difference: "Pray for those who pesecute you...do not return evil for evil.. Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord; I will repay..." What Islam has done is because of the teachings of Mohammed. "The gates of Paradise are under the shadows of the swords." Muhammad
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I'm offended by the way that radical Muslims intentionally kill thousands of innocent people around the world and moderate Muslims don't condemn the acts or distance themselves. Also, I can understand an argument where people don't want a run-down liquor store in their community because of the crowd that it attracts. But an upscale liquor store shouldn't be a problem. And nobody cares that Islam forbids the consumption of alcohol. If you don't want to drink it, don't. Left-wing radicals in Philly may bow to these absurd Muslim demands, but America at large won't.
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Okay, I hate to descend into this particular pit, but if everyone wants to be upset about the intrusion of religion into the economics of alcohol, I'll ask two questions: Is it difficult to buy alcohol on Sunday in Pennsylvania? Which religion do you think is responsible for that? I happen to live in the neighborhood where the mosque, the school, the beer distributor and the proposed site for the state store is. From a completely practical standpoint, I'd like to have a state store nearby and in a location that I'm comfortable being in after dark. From the standpoint of belonging to a community, I understand the objection of my neighbors - whether they are members of the mosque or parents of children at the school. I like my neighbors, so I hope that these discussions of zoning are constructive and that people's opinions are heard. I do think that the argument against the state store is badly handicapped by the preexisting beer distributor at 43rd and Walnut, and I think that the author of this piece was negligent in failing to mention it. Perhaps because it has been there for so long he no longer notices it. I certainly remember moving into the neighborhood five years ago and finding it incongruous. This article isn't proposing that we all follow Sharia, it is reporting on a community disagreement. I think that this disagreement has parallels in recent community uproar over the casinos in South Philly and the plan to put a brew pub in the old Firehouse in West Philly. People get upset about liquor, gambling, nudity, and firearms regardless of their religious background.
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I just donÕt understand why all this attack on Islam and Muslims? Those who commented rudely have no idea about true moderate Islam and Muslims. The true Islam is not based on violence nor enforcing anything on others, rather it is based on respecting the freedom and the belief of the others. I donÕt understand why some ignorant people generalize? Why they donÕt want to understand that the extremists among Muslims are the minority? Nobody wants to impose Islamic laws on America as was misunderstood from my talk. Can someone tell me what was the situation going to be if the mosque was a church or a senagueck? Once again, we want to say that it is not only a religious issue but it is also moral and is also pertaining to the well-being of the whole community in the area regardless their religion. As I said, there are many negative effects for establishing such store in the area. A few days back, I saw a man on 43rd street during the day time drinking alcohol while walking, and he threw the empty bottle on the street after he finished. Moreover, I have irresponsible neighbors who cause noise and inconvenience for me and for my household from time to time. Can anyone of those rude persons tell me if it is fair to have neighbors live just next door, who sometimes have loud parties? Not just that, they also spill alcohol in front of our door and break bottles and dump cigarettes. Is that the American freedom you are talking about?
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If this is really a Penn professor, I am ashamed. Do you know proper grammar? ...And by the way, if moderate Islam isn't based on violence, where are the condemnations of terrorism occurring in your religion's name? You guys protest about everything else, from alcohol to displays of sexuality...why not protest about the fact that people are claiming to kill innocents on YOUR behalf? Why not protest the way Sharia law is carried out in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and almost every other Muslim/Arab country in Asia and Africa? Trust me...people of your religion have more to worry about than the location of a liquor store. (Btw...maybe move the mosque?)
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[QUOTE id="87d9152a-fc0f-49fc-9c96-6fbbf3fbe313"]I just donÕt understand why all this attack on Islam and Muslims? Those who commented rudely have no idea about true moderate Islam and Muslims. The true Islam is not based on violence nor enforcing anything on others, rather it is based on respecting the freedom and the belief of the others. I donÕt understand why some ignorant people generalize? Why they donÕt want to understand that the extremists among Muslims are the minority? Nobody wants to impose Islamic laws on America as was misunderstood from my talk. Can someone tell me what was the situation going to be if the mosque was a church or a senagueck? Once again, we want to say that it is not only a religious issue but it is also moral and is also pertaining to the well-being of the whole community in the area regardless their religion. As I said, there are many negative effects for establishing such store in the area. A few days back, I saw a man on 43rd street during the day time drinking alcohol while walking, and he threw the empty bottle on the street after he finished. Moreover, I have irresponsible neighbors who cause noise and inconvenience for me and for my household from time to time. Can anyone of those rude persons tell me if it is fair to have neighbors live just next door, who sometimes have loud parties? Not just that, they also spill alcohol in front of our door and break bottles and dump cigarettes. Is that the American freedom you are talking about?[/QUOTE] Dr. Rushdie, I agree that these attacks on Islam are unwarranted. I also agree that people walking around drunk and throwing trash on the ground is not something I want in my neighborhood. I chose to live further from campus so as to avoid dealing with drunken, loud students. The masjid is a wonderful neighbor - it has brought families and businesses to the area and helped to make this area of West Philly a stable, safe place to live. I would no doubt say the same thing about a Christian church, a Hindu temple or a Jewish synagogue, or any other religious institution. These institutions often add to their communities. I would like to hear your perspective on one topic: what about the preexisting stores selling alcohol in the area? There are many sources of alcohol in our neighborhood: Varsity Pizza, Pasqually's, University beer distributors, Abyssinia, Kelli-Ann's, and so on. I don't think that you can be against establishment of a state store without protesting all of these other establishments. I will reiterate my opinion on the location of a state store in the site of the former Rite-Aid: I would like to have access to a state store, but as a member of a community, I think that this choice of location is not a good one. Perhaps the community can provide suggestions for a better location, one that serves the university community without affecting our concerned neighbors.
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Mr Rushdie, First you say.... " the move raises serious issues for Muslims in the area - under Islamic law, it is illegal for Muslims to consume alcohol." Well do what you want. I won`t drink alcohol in your mosque. You don`t tell us what not to do outside of it. You claim you are a moderate. Then tell us that you condemn Hamas, Hezbollah and Al Qaeda for their acts of terror. [QUOTE id="87d9152a-fc0f-49fc-9c96-6fbbf3fbe313"]I just donÕt understand why all this attack on Islam and Muslims? Those who commented rudely have no idea about true moderate Islam and Muslims. The true Islam is not based on violence nor enforcing anything on others, rather it is based on respecting the freedom and the belief of the others. I donÕt understand why some ignorant people generalize? Why they donÕt want to understand that the extremists among Muslims are the minority? Nobody wants to impose Islamic laws on America as was misunderstood from my talk. Can someone tell me what was the situation going to be if the mosque was a church or a senagueck? Once again, we want to say that it is not only a religious issue but it is also moral and is also pertaining to the well-being of the whole community in the area regardless their religion. As I said, there are many negative effects for establishing such store in the area. A few days back, I saw a man on 43rd street during the day time drinking alcohol while walking, and he threw the empty bottle on the street after he finished. Moreover, I have irresponsible neighbors who cause noise and inconvenience for me and for my household from time to time. Can anyone of those rude persons tell me if it is fair to have neighbors live just next door, who sometimes have loud parties? Not just that, they also spill alcohol in front of our door and break bottles and dump cigarettes. Is that the American freedom you are talking about?[/QUOTE]
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Mr. Emad, I have nothing against anyone of any faith. Muslims who are not apologists for the Islamist radicals are brave, strong people whom I respect.I am an admirer of the likes of Walid Shoebat, Hirysa Ali, and IRshad MAnji. However, I see mass mayhem and acts of terror being committed in the name of Allah worldwide.But I see no condemnation from the Islamic world against these people who are committing such acts. Instead we hear the aplogists blaming everyone else....It`s America`s fault. IT`s ISrael`s fault. It`s Russia`s fault. It`s Thailand`s fault. It`s the Phillipines fault. It`s Spain`s fault. It`s the UK`s fault....Always someone else to blame. I saw a poll not too long ago which suggested that hundreds of millions of Muslims worldwide supported the mass murderer, Osama Bin Ladin. We read about Muslim women being abused in the vilest of manners. We see Jews and Christians being referred to as apes and monkeys. Then we see Muslims immigrating to our country and trying to impose Sharia law ( Ontario Canada), taxi cab drivers who only want to pick up those who don`t have liquor on their person and of course, now your liquor store fiasco. Well sir, if you don`t want to drink alcohol or if you don`t want to see women`s hair because it will tempt you, that`s your problem. Get over it. You`re living in the west. Women walk beside men. They drive. They work. They copulate if they so wish. Your post underscores your contempt for the rest of us and your hatred towards your neighbors. Maybe that`s why so much booze is being spilled on your doorstep.
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For those ignorantly criticizing Emad Rushdie: He is a fantastic professor who teaches Arabic, and if he made a few grammatical mistakes on an internet post online I have no doubt about his ability to teach Arabic. He heads his department and is an enthusiastic professor who makes one of the hardest languages a joy to learn. He is being nominated for the SAS DeanÕs Award for Distinguished Teaching by Affiliated Faculty, something he wholly deserves. He is kind and thoughtful and shatters the ignorantly held view most people have of Muslims. I am ashamed to be part of community that has people who are so ignorant as those that have posted above. If you want to criticize Rushdie's opposition to liquor store do it at the zoning hearing. Do not use his understandable stand against a liquor store in his neighborhood to claim he is a fundamentalist or to perpetrate hatred. The racism so many people are showing here proves that extremism and hatred are cancers that all societies deal with, not just Islamic ones.
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[QUOTE id="39b43745-9430-4d61-9055-85df981afa81"]For those ignorantly criticizing Emad Rushdie: He is a fantastic professor who teaches Arabic, and if he made a few grammatical mistakes on an internet post online I have no doubt about his ability to teach Arabic. He heads his department and is an enthusiastic professor who makes one of the hardest languages a joy to learn. He is being nominated for the SAS DeanÕs Award for Distinguished Teaching by Affiliated Faculty, something he wholly deserves. He is kind and thoughtful and shatters the ignorantly held view most people have of Muslims. I am ashamed to be part of community that has people who are so ignorant as those that have posted above. If you want to criticize Rushdie's opposition to liquor store do it at the zoning hearing. Do not use his understandable stand against a liquor store in his neighborhood to claim he is a fundamentalist or to perpetrate hatred. The racism so many people are showing here proves that extremism and hatred are cancers that all societies deal with, not just Islamic ones.[/QUOTE] Duh to you moron! No one here is perpetuating racism. Racism is hatred for another race...not someone's evil religion. Mr. Rushdie is a decieved individual. He prays to satan(allah), he kisses the ass of satan(allah)each time he prostrates himself towards mecca and prays to satan(allah). He worships satan(allah) and he is devoted to satan in his worship. The so called prophet that he follows was nothin more than a pedophile(consummated a marriage to with his wife who was his cousin and she was 9 years old. He was a terrorist by terroriszing every city, village or place he came to by telling those citizens to either pay homage to satan(allah)or to convert to 'his' religion or face beheading. He was a mass murderer, murderer, rapist and pirate. If his scribes did not write his words down the way he 'perceived' his religion, he beheaded them. Oh yes I have read the koran and the book is nothing but a bunch of hodge podge incoherent ramblings of a madman. It has not time line and in fact it has four creation stories, it has four versions of how their supposed historic leader Abraham came to mecca or that area. Heck the so called prophet was not even a good plagerist and that he was...a plagerist. THe book is a worthless incoherent rambling by a man who followed satan, kissed satan's ass and lived his life for the folly of satan and sold his soul and countless other millions to follow satan. There is nothing good about a religion that was founded by a man who could not and did not reist the temptations of satan(unlike Jesus Christ who resisted all of satan's temptations)and religion that tolerates only the evil of the world. Islam is satan's religion and every action and word of this religion is based on the lies of the so called prophet who stole his religion from many of the pagan religions of his time and allah, well allah was the moon god of his relatives. The moon god of babylon was baal, who is the same as allah and all false gods are of satan. Mr. Rushdie you can foolow your religion unto your death where you will be in hell of for all eternity or you can repent and see the Light of truth that can an does only come from Jesus the Christ. I love all muslims, I destest, I hate satan's religion of islam. If humanly possible I would help in the destruction of every mosque or temple of satan's religion and every cleric or follower of islam who continues in the destruction of all that is Holy in the world. I will be one of the first of this great land that will destroy any follower of satan's religion that tries to hurt, puts in bondage or kills any true American and Mr. Rushdie you are not a true American, you are a follower of satan's religion, but all you need do is repent from your satanic beliefs or continue down the path to destruction and death which is the way of all who follow satan and sin! I am praying for you Mr. Rushdie and I am praying to the true God and the only God for your salvation, I am not praying to your false god, because your god is not a god at all, but instead is an impersonator, which is all satan can do, because he is not a god. In American Truth, Ormus
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Student, Too bad you don`t want him criticized on an opinion message board, but that is the purpose these boards are intended for. As per ignorance, how can one be 'racist' towards a religion? And of course, "extremism and hatred are cancers that all societies deal with, not just Islamic ones." But Islam is the only religion that is at war with people of all faiths and races everywhere. And they are the only religion trying to shove their influence down our throats.
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I have no doubt that the city will cave. After all, they decided that Gino's was "discriminating" by putting up a sign that said "please speak English." It's Philadelphia (or Filthadelphia, as it's known here), not Pennsylvania.
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THomas- If you can speak intelligently on the sentiments of millions if not billions of people than perhaps you are just smarter than me. If not, why not take each individual on his/her own words and actions and not bring in all of the baggage you seem to carry around? Seems a much more pleasant way to live, to me.
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Good grief. This is a "dog bites man" story. I don't object to liquor stores in my neighborhood, but I can easily see the reasons why someone might. The Muslims at the mosque are doing what any group of concerned citizens would do -- organizing themselves for the zoning hearing and using the media to alert public opinion to their point of view. For those of you who think Muslims are getting special treatment here, ask yourself what other religious group in America faces zoning hearings about where they can locate schools. http://www.cnn.com/US/9803/04/islamic.school.vote/index.html?eref=sitese...
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i would like to thank brother rushdi for his efforts iam a high school student who lives in this area... and we have so many liquor in the are its crazy... this isnt about muslim laws... its us people... of i have a child and where ever he or she turns their heads they see beer or wine signs... what would they say????? and its a shame to read those comments that people write and see the lack of respect people have for a religion thats second BIGGEST IN THE WHOLE WORLD .... and what the heck beer kills just as much as them other drugs so what do people mean by its our free world... plz
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also for those smart grown people i hope who write all them crazy comments about islam... go read about islam before saying something... " islam is at war with every religion.." HUH... look around the world and see whats going on.. read the history... i think the people have a aright to voice their opinions... so dont be mad if those lovely people want o practice those greatg rights this country grants them... IF U DONT LIVE IN THE AREA... then u really cant speak for the people in it : ) have a nice positive day... dont hate... plz... this is a free country ; )
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islam is at war with every religion.. HUH... look around the world and see whats going on.. read the history... " I do. And I stand behind my comments. Almost every flashpoint on the planet involves Muslims killing in the name of your God. Israel, 9/11, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Thailand, Madrid Spain, The UK, France, the Phillipines, Sudan, Darfur, Somalia, Chechnya, Bali etc etc etc Is it always someone else`s fault? There is no law against opening a liquor store. You are trying to prevent a businessman from earning a living. This is the USA. We are not subject to Muslim law. I have no beef with any human being who does not wish to harm me or impose their will over me. Be free to practice your religion in peace, but don`t impose your standards on me. If you don`t like signs advertising beer, then learn to live with it. Or go where beer is not sold. [QUOTE id="bceddc63-841e-48bb-bb8b-a0fd829e26ba"]also for those smart grown people i hope who write all them crazy comments about islam... go read about islam before saying something... " islam is at war with every religion.." HUH... look around the world and see whats going on.. read the history... i think the people have a aright to voice their opinions... so dont be mad if those lovely people want o practice those greatg rights this country grants them... IF U DONT LIVE IN THE AREA... then u really cant speak for the people in it : ) have a nice positive day... dont hate... plz... this is a free country ; )[/QUOTE]
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>>>"this is a free country" Exactly.
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Thomas- How would you feel about Catholics protesting the opening of an abortion clinic next to a church. By your logic, they would have no ground to stand on with their objections because: 1) Abortion is legal and 2) It is a free country Those objecting to the liquor store are not telling you that you may not drink. Nor are they saying that the business owner cannot make a living selling alcohol. They are PEACEFULLY voicing their objecting regarding the chosen location. You have chosen to use the fact those objecting are mostly Muslims as an excuse for your diatribe. Take the labels away and this whole story is about a group of citizens who object to a store moving into their neighborhood. Anything to object to about that?
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Nice spin Jon, but this IS about Muslims opposing a liquor store opening because it is against their religion. And as a previous poster ranted, what will I tell my child? In the UK Muslims are demanding that the public school system changes to become more sensitive to their religion. Their demands are becoming more vociferous and......more demanding. In Muslim countries one may not build a church. Jews are not permitted to enter. IF we`re dhimmis we give in to them.
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lol... mister Tomas... this has nuttin to do with terrorisms so y the heck are u saying "muslims kill people for the sake of your god"... do u really think muslims support any morons out there who does so???? no so plz dont try to say that islam = killing of other people for our god... Ok? and i know its a free country thats y i said why are u guys mad when those people WHO LIVE IN THIS HEART OF THE AREA want to just express their opinion ????? its not like there isnt already THREE liquor stores in the area!!!!!!!!!!!!! who needs another?????? what the heck is this lol we can get the grown drunk with so much... god... and because there is already one... i kinda feel like someone is disrespecting me by putting up another liquor place in front of my masjid... the masjid isnt just a place for worship here.. its a community center... we do so much for the community... a community thats growing and has a big number of families... again mister rushdi wasnt saying DONT DRINKKKKKKKKK he was saying keep it out cuz we have enough.... and one more is crazy... ur free do what u want... so people shouldnt think just cuz the masjid is opposing this that its trying to keep u from being free or soemthing... thanks... i hope people read this with out ignoring it and going on to yet another page of meaningless and disrespectful argumentation : ) thanks
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[QUOTE id="e4574ddb-32da-4ea9-8df0-18624984183c"]lol... mister Tomas... this has nuttin to do with terrorisms so y the heck are u saying "muslims kill people for the sake of your god"... do u really think muslims support any morons out there who does so???? no so plz dont try to say that islam = killing of other people for our god... Ok? and i know its a free country thats y i said why are u guys mad when those people WHO LIVE IN THIS HEART OF THE AREA want to just express their opinion ????? its not like there isnt already THREE liquor stores in the area!!!!!!!!!!!!! who needs another?????? what the heck is this lol we can get the grown drunk with so much... god... and because there is already one... i kinda feel like someone is disrespecting me by putting up another liquor place in front of my masjid... the masjid isnt just a place for worship here.. its a community center... we do so much for the community... a community thats growing and has a big number of families... again mister rushdi wasnt saying DONT DRINKKKKKKKKK he was saying keep it out cuz we have enough.... and one more is crazy... ur free do what u want... so people shouldnt think just cuz the masjid is opposing this that its trying to keep u from being free or soemthing... thanks... i hope people read this with out ignoring it and going on to yet another page of meaningless and disrespectful argumentation : ) thanks[/QUOTE] sirrrr, u mit jes b returdead!!!!!! lolz!! >:)
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So, rushdy, why don't you serve alla by becoming a suicide speed bump on your nearest freeway? (Misspelling and lack of capitalization intentional.)
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why is every thing a joke????? stop being little kids... if u dont have a good reply then dont reply... god... and this mister rushdi u guys are laughin at is a professor at upenn something some of yall cant even dream of : b and its spelled ... i guess misterj made some great points that only left room for jokes huh...
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wow people got time to sit and leave rude comments??? common grow up...
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Jon, These are not 'sentiments' as you suggest. The info was derived from polls taken regarding Muslim individuals opinions. If 30% of them admire admire Osama, that means that hundreds of millions of them do. As per a pleasant way to live one`s life, I prefer not to bury my head in the sand like the individuals who choose to hide from reality.