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Anti-Muslim Bigotry

Islamophobia Exhibit A – Yorba Linda Muslim Hate-Fest (ICNA RELIEF / VIDEO)

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NutFkykjmbM[/youtube]
Thanks to CAIR-SoCal for preparing the video & to ICNA Relief for not standing down against hate!

You too can contact the government officials who joined this hate-fest and give them a (polite) piece of your mind:

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Some Thoughts from MM Contributors:

Amad

When I saw the video, the following thoughts came to mind:

How easy can people be manipulated and whipped into a frenzy.

Most people are sheep and they follow the herd mentality.

Everyone has a certain level of bigotry. Most are able to control it. But when there appears to be an opportunity to be unaccountable for verbalizing it, many fall into that trap. Think about that famous children’s fiction, Lord of the Flies… how the lack of accountability led to kids becoming savages. Or the LA riots for instance. This rally was an opportunity to be a bigot and not only be unaccountable in its display, but actually feel like a hero.

When hard times come, people want something to cheer about. Patriotism may actually rise as the fall of your nation in economics draws you to be part of anything that “feels” patriotic. Cheering loudly for America against perceived “foreign enemies” makes you part of some “cause”, and participate in the battle for your country.

Ignorance can make you really look foolish at times. You should always gauge and understand your actions. The otherwise normal citizens in the mob didn’t take the time to actually do their own research about what they were protesting.

How wife-beating, child-abuse, etc. have been attached to Muslims despite the facts that more women are abused in the West than anywhere in the world and more children are abused by priests than Muslim clergy could dream of.

Lack of PR. There was a time when a call was made out on one of Houston’s radio programs for a rally outside the hotel where we were going to conduct a major Texas Dawah Islamic conference. It took Shaykh Waleed going up against the conference’s critics on the same radio program, massive PR campaign that eventually the radio-host decided that he had it all wrong (or at least it wasn’t all right) and disbanded the rally. It’s time Muslim orgs realize that they need professional PR people to help the cause. Shoddy-accented uncles just don’t cut it.

Ify

Haters never Prosper

In Orange County, California (remind me to strike that off my places to visit other than to show my support for the Muslims there), the worst and the lowest of anti-Islam protesters showed up to a fundraiser organized by a Muslim organization to raise funds for women’s shelters and to aid in the general fight against hunger and homelessness here in America. They were greeted by politicians, tea party activists, and a group of protesters akin to the repugnant Westboro Baptist Church members who protest at the funerals of dead military personnel.

Now, I’m a big free speech advocate even if that speech is offensive and it may reflexively feel good to prevent it. I agree with the Supreme Court’s decision yesterday protecting the right of expression and don’t agree at all with the implementation of so-called blasphemy laws in some Muslim countries, which are largely used as tools of injustice to persecute minorities or political opponents, which even if there is some basis in the religion, was never the intent of law.

I hope and pray each elected official that spoke at the rally is voted out of office or recalled by the people and for understanding and civility to enter the hearts of the protesters.

See Also:

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41 Comments

41 Comments

  1. Iman

    March 4, 2011 at 7:18 AM

    This only shows how ignorant some people are about the differnt religeons and cultures. If they respect thier own religeon should they not respect others.

    There was children there and they must of been terrified, would they like thier children scared like that, I think not.

    This is only a minority (I hope !) but shows that people can be lead by others and media. This needs to be addressed before it becomes acceptable to behave like this. Where does it stop, once they have driven the muslims away who is next ?

    By the way I will not be visiting there also, maybe that is the way forward – finaicial boycot in the tourist trade

  2. Olivia

    March 4, 2011 at 7:30 AM

    Why not send a letter to the other candidates and politicians in that area? These irrational power-mongers don’t care what anyone has to say, but let their opposition know what kind of stand they can take against the tea-baggers. By the way, anyone else mifted at how so many of the protestors were from Jewish orgs and synagogues? So ready to talk about the Holocaust only as it applies to themselves, but somehow they justify their behavior toward Muslims as preventing another Holocaust of a the tyranny of a minority over a majority! I think they’re all just scared that the rest of the world is finally waking up to the oppression of Israel and actually standing for justice.

  3. Jeremiah

    March 4, 2011 at 10:22 AM

    Very sad, inshAllah, the kids will not be damaged from this. I could not help but think back to those pictures of the Little Rock 9 and the hate they received trying to integrate Arkansas schools.

    http://www.google.com/search?q=little+rock+9&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

    I remember a previous article on Muslimmatters by Tariq Nelson about how so-called islamophobes also tend to be racists. The connection seems more and more appropriate.

  4. Chris King

    March 4, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    “I remember a previous article on Muslimmatters by Tariq Nelson about how so-called islamophobes also tend to be racists. The connection seems more and more appropriate.”

    Well, maybe true for some, but certainly not most. I will admit, I am no fan of Islam. That does not mean I hate Muslims and view them all as terrorists. My views come from reading world news. You must admit, Islam is a driving force behind much violence around the world. I understand much of it is Culture drivin, but most people do not. Even so, I do not care for it. It would be real nice if that where to change, but I do not see that happening. There are far too many evil Imam’s in the world spreading a false idea of how Islam should be followed.

    • Khaled

      March 4, 2011 at 1:05 PM

      Hey Chris, can you back up what you’re saying about “Islam is a driving force behind MUCH violence around the world” with statistics? Compare it to other groups and get back to me on that one

      • Chris King

        March 4, 2011 at 2:27 PM

        What is it that is driving these Evil Imams to spread such hate and violence. I seems to me to be a corrupt version of Islam. Afterall, that is what the Evil Imams and the Radical Muslims claim. Can you explain to me why Muslims are behind so much of the worlds violence if not at the least a screwed up version of Islam being tought to the masses.

        • Mansoor Ansari

          March 4, 2011 at 2:44 PM

          Most wars in the last century which millions of ppl had nothing to do with Muslims. Infact America waged wars in Iraq, Korea, Vietnam & the Americas have killed more ppl & America was the aggressor in those cases.

        • Amad

          March 4, 2011 at 3:56 PM

          Here’s proof, but it kind of disproves your admittedly popular urban legend contention

          All Terrorists are Muslims…Except the 94% that Aren’t

          • Chris King

            March 4, 2011 at 4:28 PM

            What is my urban legend? I never said anything about Muslims and Terrorism. I said Violence, terrorism or not.

          • Hello Kitty

            March 5, 2011 at 1:34 AM

            Really, Chris? Since when did places like Ciudad Juarez, or Caracas, San Salvador or San Pedro Sula become majority Muslim cities? Narco terror in Latin America trumps pretty much everywhere else on the planet when it comes to jaw dropping, blood chilling violent crime rates. Russia puts in a pretty good showing, and so does South Africa, but Latin America-nowhere else holds a candle. So who’s the most violent again?

        • Khaled

          March 4, 2011 at 8:36 PM

          Again, evil imams, hate and violence? What is driving the people in that video to do that much hate? What is driving the US army to do so much violence? 9 Afghani children were killed this week by the US GOVERNMENT, what is driving these evil presidents, politicians, soldiers etc to spread such hate and violence? Sounds like you should stop watching the news and learn something

          • Chris King

            March 7, 2011 at 12:04 PM

            Hello Kitty – “Russia puts in a pretty good showing, and so does South Africa, but Latin America-nowhere else holds a candle. So who’s the most violent again?”

            I know what fuels the violence in those cities, do you? I lived in Caracas for some time, and have to say, I would never move back.

            What prompts the violence in say, Egypt where Muslimstorched Churchs and homes of Christians?

            or

            Churches and homes used by evangelical Christians in southwestern Ethiopia were burned down by Muslims

            or

            Muslim Terrorists Murder 58 Iraqi Christians in Church.

            What fuels that violence? Drugs?

        • DrM

          March 5, 2011 at 1:56 AM

          What rubbish, no doubt from years of brainwashing from US state media. . The majority of violence, including terrorism around the world is at the hands of white western males and the firepower at their disposal. Iraq comes to mind. Not a racist, but factual statement.
          Get back to us when you find thos WMDs, ace.

          • Chris King

            March 7, 2011 at 11:58 AM

            WMD’s……. LOL. I never once believed there where WMD’s. I am not a brainwashed Republican, sorry.

        • Sharif

          March 5, 2011 at 3:22 AM

          Chris,

          If you wish to be an informed and objective world citizen, I think you should take interest in the following article:

          http://muslimmatters.org/2010/01/11/occupation-not-islam-breeds-terrorism/

          • Chris King

            March 7, 2011 at 12:05 PM

            I will read it, thank you.

  5. Hena Zuberi

    March 4, 2011 at 7:07 PM

    So much hate- so much- it brings tears to my eyes

    What happened to Dr. Qazi’s letter? Could we post it up as a sample for what people could write to their representatives.

    I would ask people not to judge California or Orange County by the actions of some bigots- there are many gracious and tolerant people in this state.

    There is a time for a people and this is the time for Muslims in this country. Look at this video from the the time of school integration- it is unsurprisingly similar. Catholics went through the same hostility and bigotry in the 1840s. Prominent Protestant leaders as Lyman Beecher and Horace Bushnell incited anti-Irish and anti-Catholic mobs. The Philadelphia Nativist Riots were also a result of rising anti-Catholic sentiment at the growing population of Irish Catholic immigrants.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px3xytbNzcs&sns=em

    I believe this is a test from Allah SWT and am so impressed with the people who attended the fundraiser- they were brave, strong and blessed with grace. MashaAllah not one of them responsed with harsh words.
    The RIS convention in Long Beach was protested against in the same manner and it is extremely scary to be in the situation. Please do not stop attending these events. I am hearing remarks from within our communities which are deterring people from planning future attendance. You are letting them achieve their goals because if you do not attend our associations will not be able to host the future events.

    Wasalam
    Hena

  6. DrM

    March 5, 2011 at 2:02 AM

    I can forgive insults to my person but the psychological terror these kids were put through by these Christofascist low lives is unforgivable. Death threats by that council woman should be prosecuted and restraining orders issued. I believe this was planned by that filthy judeofascist pig Pam Geller.
    Yet no arrests were made, but 11 Muslim students at UCI are going to have the book thrown at them for protesting against “israeli” terrorists. Sick world we live in.

  7. salih

    March 5, 2011 at 3:36 AM

    Assalamu Alaikum. We should not be fearful or intimidated of this one incident. More ugly events will come. Writing letters to these congressmen would not help. It’s a waste of time because they’re coming out open with their hatred. They want their hatred to be publicize to gain their political ground. Its about time that Muslim Organizations need to get together to defend our rights. All Islamic Organizations must get together to form a political force to fight and defend our rights and justice. Enough is enough. The only reason why the Jewish organizations are so powerful is because they’re united to fight for their agenda and rights. We have so many Islamic Organizations in the US but they’re not willing put down their ego to work together. The leaders of Islamic Organizations, I don’t care who you are, you don’t deserved to be leading Muslims when you’re not reconciling your differences to unite and work together to fight these evil forces. We can’t fight them alone. We have about 7 millions in America, and we can force these congress people to be accountable for their misguidance and manipulation. We have to make them responsible on a national level. We need to beat them in their own game. These people are not willing to listen to to the Truth. They know the the Truth. Muslim Leaders, stop preaching, get together and make a difference.

  8. Sarah Amena

    March 5, 2011 at 11:42 AM

    I really admire how our sisters continued into the event with their heads held up high. That takes courage and is truly admirable.

  9. Syed J

    March 5, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    Assalam alaikum,

    It is certainly hurting and painful to see the video. It reminds me of this video where Shaykh Hamza Yusuf beautifully analyzes ‘Islam in America’..

    http://fora.tv/2007/11/01/Islam_the_Western_World_An_Interfaith_Dialogue

    From the speech by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf in the video..

    “I think we need to think about what are the founding principles of this country?

    What are we about as Americans? I don’t want to see America redefined. America can not be a lie.

    America is a broken promise that needs to be restored. We don’t want the rest of the world to see us as a lie that we talk about freedom, we talk about Civil Liberties, we talk about Human Rights but we don’t practice them with others. I do not want to see that happen. We need to end rendition. We need to end torture. The Prophet SAWS prohibited torture. Human dignity is one of the 6 things that is preserved in Islam..

    …I think we need to think deeply as to where we are going as a people, where we are going as a nation and on the other hand, there is enough reason to be hopeful..”

    end quote.

    And as Muslims, we need to be always hopeful.

    Jazak Allah Khair.

  10. Pingback: Sunday Open Thread | Hope, Humanity & the Cricket World Cup! | MuslimMatters.org

  11. Bungle Junny

    March 6, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    Ah, the far-right Christ-fundie teabagger drones strike again! Gauded by Bill O’Reilly, Glenn Beck and the right-wing punditry circus, of course.

    I don’t think anyone should pay any attention to this horde. They are extremely ignorant, they don’t think for themselves, they’re bigoted, they’re hateful, they’re intolerant, they’re xenophobic, they watch the greatest spinners of lies and propoganda known to man (Fox News) and passively accept everything they hear. I mean come on! What would Jesus (whom they hold in the highest esteem) think of these people?

    • suhail

      March 7, 2011 at 4:33 PM

      They may be idiots but what message did those small kids got who were there with the parents going to that function. How would they take there identity when they go through this ordeal. On top of that the idiotic woman was calling for the muslims in that event to be killed when she used that remark of marines and she is a councilwoman.

      To take icing on the cake we have Congress man from Republican party attending and cheering these people who threw all kind of vitriolic insults at those families. May Allah have mercy on those muslims and help the muslims here through these tough times.

  12. Pingback: maraahmed.com » Blog Archive » Islamophobia Exhibit A – Yorba Linda Muslim Hate-Fest

  13. ahlam

    March 7, 2011 at 3:28 PM

    Aw, I cant believe they stayed outside till dark and started to cheer(boo) everytime they saw a Muslim. Celebrity reception indeed, I would have smiled and waved back.

    Except for when they mentioned the Prophet (salal Allahu ‘alaihi wasalam).

    Anyhow, they just wasted their time and went home with sore throats.

  14. MW_M

    March 7, 2011 at 8:14 PM

    Video has been taken down

  15. abu Yunus

    March 7, 2011 at 8:34 PM

    Of course the video would be taken down; they don’t want everyone to see how “tolerant” this country is.

  16. Hena Zuberi

    March 9, 2011 at 3:15 PM

    Dr. Qazi’s letter to his representative got a response in 30 minutes. He is arranging delegations to take to his rep’s office. Organize one in your area and take it to your district representative.

    Dear Congressman Miller,

    I have always supported you, voted for you and when writing to you addressed you as a man of integrity. But my confidence in your leadership and that of my community has come crashing down after your supporting appearance at an Anti-Muslim Tea Party rally designed to harass a gathering of Muslims fundraising for relief and charitable causes on Feb. 13th, 2011

    This rally in Yorba Linda cannot be described as anything but a hate-fest. The protesters purportedly objected to the speakers at this particular banquet by ICNA Relief but as the video link clearly demonstrates, here’s what they chanted: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NutFkykjmbM

    1. They yelled at seven and ten year old kids calling them terrorists

    2. They uttered obscenities calling the Prophet of Muslims, Mohammad (may peace be upon him): “a pervert, a child molester, a fraud, a false prophet”.

    3 They repeatedly chanted, “terrorists go back home” (while many attendees live in the area)

    4. They deliriously yelled out “no sharia, “do you beat up your wife, are you a molester – you are aren’t you, why don’t you go beat up your wife like you do every night, go marry a nine year old, take your sharia and go home eat sand, “. This is hardly a discourse of sane people.

    5. Congressman Royce suggested how multiculturalism has paralyzed our society and called for critical judgment to prosper as a society. The question is did he himself use critical judgment by showing up to this hate-fest?

    6. You told the crowd: “…..i’m proud of you and proud of what you’re doing”.

    7. The most disturbing of it all are the comments of Villa park Councilwoman Deborah Pauley: “….I know quiet a few marines who would be very happy to help these terrorists to an early meeting in paradise”. She was of course referring to the attendees at the banquet that were all peaceful and law abiding residents and American citizens. These comments were met with the most jubilant applause by the protesters.

    Frankly I thought that leaders that shoot and kill their own people were only limited to Saddam Hussein’s Iraq and Ghadaffi’s Libya. It is not a veiled threat by this Councilwoman, it is a call for genocide and knowing what has happened in Tucson, AZ, its implications cannot be undermined. Her words go beyond hate speech and must have political and legal consequences.

    ps: she also said, “……I don’t even care if you think I’m crazy anymore”. The fact is that crazy never care if others think of them as crazy.

    Mr. Miller, we need to know that you are interested in working to bring communities together not support divisions or give any credence to objectives of the hate mongering.

    Our community is frightened and appalled and I’m sorry to say this but all that was missing at this protest were hooded white cloaks and I sure hope that next time you are not invited to a public lynching. This is a realistic fear amongst us.

    I would urge you to work internally within the Republican party to tame down this extreme rhetoric and publicly to denounce hate speech. Furthermore, I would urge you to call for resignation of Councilwoman Deborah Pauley. Her behavior is clearly one of unbecoming a public servant.

    Furthermore, we would to request a meeting with you and our community members to discuss these matters more extensively to seek solutions to the a number of challenges that America faces today so that our community doesn’t feel constantly marginalized as we all work to protect and honor our constitutional values.

    Sincerely,

    Faisal Qazi, DO

    Chino Hills, CA 91709

  17. Lauren

    March 9, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    “MORE WOMEN ABUSED IN THE WEST”???

    Ok, I saw the video of the angry mob out in California, and I couldn’t believe how ugly they were towards those Muslim Americans showing up to the event. The ICNA participants certainly had my sympathy.

    But then I find comments like those here, claiming that the abuse of women is more a Western problem. This is a bit like the Catholic church pointing fingers at atheists who sexually abuse children. It shows a complete lack of honesty on these issues. Anyone who has ever spoken to the women coming out of those communities knows that there is a widespread culture of domestic abuse, both emotional and physical, that is supported by the legal systems of many middle eastern nations (Lebanon has no law against rape within a marriage, for example — the wife is simply sexual ‘property’). The simple daily requirements on a woman in public spaces in Afghanistan, among other places, constitutes a fear-based social abuse — maybe it’s not overtly violent all the time, but it is crushing of their basic dignity (Men: try to imagine living in a world where simply to show your face in public is a crime punishable by beatings — that is the world these women inhabit every day).

    IF YOU WANT SYMPATHY, AND YOU ASK FOR YOUR RIGHTS TO BE RESPECTED, THEN TRY BEING HONEST ABOUT THE OPPRESSION and ABUSE WOMEN FACE, DAILY, IN ISLAMIC NATIONS.

    If you showed more concern for THEIR rights, then perhaps you’d find a more sympathetic audience standing up for yours.

    • Saher

      March 10, 2011 at 4:28 PM

      As a Muslim woman, I completely agree with you.

  18. LearningArabic

    March 10, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    There is a protest taking place next week in front of the Villa Park city council to protest the hate that took place.
    Why Islam and ICNA are organizing this protest. Please try to make it out if you can. We need to show these hate mongers that we will stand up for our rights.

    Say NO to Hate!

    A rally to demand action against the hate sanctioned by elected officials from Orange County.

    Location:

    Villa Park City Council

    17855 Santiago Boulevard, Villa Park, CA 92861

    Date:

    Tuesday, March 22 at 6 PM

    Come early due to traffic and limited parking availability

  19. Pingback: Irvine 11 Face Criminal Charges For Protesting Israeli Ambassador | MuslimMatters.org

  20. lai

    March 10, 2011 at 12:44 PM

  21. Amad

    March 10, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    I am sure women are oppressed by men in Muslim countries. It is not Islam that makes them oppress. It is in fact a lack of Islamic education that is the cause of it.

    There are also many women oppressed in non-Muslim countries. It’s a different kind of oppression. One just has to say how many women are sold everyday for the pleasure of men, in magazines, on bill-boards, in every facet of life, to know this. It’s calling willing oppression. Then you also have domestic abuse and sexual harassment is also at scales that are mind-boggling.

    So, please instead of patronizing us, pls remember we live here in the West. Our concerns are in the West, so stick to this side of the world.

  22. Ummi

    March 10, 2011 at 5:48 PM

    Let’s not forget how ‘Umar (ra) and Khalid ibn al Walid (ra) reviled and fought against Islam before being guided.

    May Allah swt guide these people and exchange their hatred of us with love for us, to the level that each one of them will one day feel proud to say, “I am one of the Muslims!”

    Until then, yeah we will walk on by the ignorance with dignity and say salaam.

  23. Pingback: Irvine 11 Face Criminal Charges For Protesting Israeli Ambassador | ISLAMIC SPOTLIGHT: ISLAMIC NEWS, STORIES, HADITH, DOCUMENTARIES, LECTURES, NASHEED AND MORE DEEN RELATED ARTICLES

  24. Anuj

    March 11, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    I have a strong stand on this topic…today I noticed a report that stated that a no fly individual was to attend the meeting. Which I also believe was the cause of such hate against the other individuals in which were to attend. My concern is that no matter what the facts are..people do have a right to speak up in this country. But at the same time people should no bash on other religions and cultures to get a point of concern across. In my option this is unethical and clearly should not be the foundation of any argument. Religion and culture are not the target but individuals them selves are! One should not use hate against religion or culture…..I mean is that not what sets us apart from the rest if the world?….as a side note I am a Hindu in which has been born and raised in southern california….today is Muslims under attack tomorrow its Koreans..Hindus…etc

  25. Imran

    March 31, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    I have to say that these people remind me of the Wahabis during an Ashura procession back in Britian and KSA. These racists are actually ignorant & misinformed. Just like the salafi/wahabis. If this was a Shia convention in Saudi Arabia or some other Wahabi country then you can be sure a bomb would have gone off and scores of Shias would have lost their lives. These guys are actually peaceful compared to them. What? Did you just call them peaceful? Traitor!!! No man, I said they are peaceful COMPARED to the salafi/wahabis. We muslims don’t like being called “terrorist” but we are quick to label other muslims as “kafir”. Such hypocrisy.

  26. Pingback: Islamophobia Exhibit A – Yorba Linda Muslim Hate-Fest (ICNA RELIEF / VIDEO) | Dr Scholl | Dr Scholl

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