Red paint on steps of Pittsburgh mosque
You have to wonder if all of the hate and intolerance that was dredged up by Sarah Palin during the 2008 election is still brewing out there. On late Thursday or early Friday, vandals splashed red paint on the steps of the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh according to WTAE. Since Muslims worship on Friday, some assume that the act of vandalism was intended to send a message before the usual 1,ooo members came to worship.
The neighbors of the Mosque appear to be supportive at least. ”One woman, who asked not to be identified said others who live in the area are sickened by the red paint splashed outside the mosque.”
There was also the recent incident where Air Tran kicked a Muslim family off of a plane on New year’s day and refused to book them on another despite the fact that FBI agents had cleared them of any wrongdoing. How does that happen? Surely the people on the ground were in touch with the company’s general counsel and other top executives. What does that say about that company? When a company not only succumbs to the mob mentality, but also condones it, you have to wonder about they type of people running it and the corporate culture that they promote.
Even the apology, delivered well after the incident, was reall only lip service, claiming that the safety of passengers is paramount. The FBI had cleared them? How was that promoting anything?
The statement was an abrupt about-face for the airline, which three hours earlier had issued a press release with an unapologetic description of the incident.
In that statement, the airline said it did not re-book the family only because the security concern had not been resolved, and because one member of the group “became irate and made inappropriate comments.”
That account differed from accounts from the family and the FBI. The FBI said agents interviewed the family, resolved the security concerns and then tried to help re-schedule the flight with the airline. The FBI ultimately helped the family book a flight on US Airways.
So, Air Tran went with the mob ostensibly out of security reasons, but then as a company refused to book the family on another flight and then lied about the reasons for not re-booking them. Then, knowing that the FBI knew that was a lie, they changed their story and issued a truly conditional apology if I ever saw one. Family member, Kashif, Irfan said he was grateful for the unexpected apolgy. That was really very nice, Air trans doesn’t deserve the family’s gratitude for finally doing the right thing.
“People are outraged and shocked about it because this is a very close community and we consider the people of the Islamic Center to be part of our community. The neighbors are supportive,” she said.
There has been only 1 other act of vandalism in the Center’s 15 year history, according to the Mosque’s Imam, who said, ”We’re still baffled as to what actually is going on.”
In yet another example, a UPS man recently signed a package to be delivered to a Sikh as “Terrorist.” Sikhs differ from Muslims, but I guess that doesn’t matter to some.
This type of behavior is not OK and does not resolve anything. Is it any wonder then that Muslims are trying to start a nationwide program to educate those among us who are so ignorant to punish every Muslim for the works of a few extremists?
Muslim bashing and discrimination is not the answer. A government that will address the real issue of the extremists who threaten our country is the solution. I hope that with Barack Obama that we finally have that because this behavior is America at its lowest and I think we are better than this as a people.
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