This item is available on the Militant Islam Monitor website, at http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/2883

Cherry Hill School Supt. to parents in aftermath of terror arrests "We are tolerant of diversity" "We celebrate our differences"

May 9, 2007

May 9, 2007

http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070509/NEWS01/705090372/1006/news01


May 9, 2007 Dear Parents:

You and your students may be anxious and concerned about yesterday's arrest of several Cherry Hill residents for their alleged involvement in a foiled terrorist plot targeting soldiers at Ft. Dix and other military bases. This high-profile incident will likely dominate local and national news over the next few days.

But despite the presence of national media in our neighborhoods and near our schools, our objective has been to make today and every day as normal as possible. While we are encouraging students to stay on task, we are also directing those students who feel anxious or distressed to speak with their teacher or guidance counselor. In communications this morning with our staff, we have provided the following general talking points for our teachers to use in their classrooms (these may be tailored for age appropriateness): Our schools are safe places to be.

Every day, we expect our students to be respectful and responsible. We are tolerant of diversity. We celebrate our differences. We don't make sweeping generalizations.

If you are feeling anxious or distressed about these events, you need to let your teacher, parents, or guidance counselor know. We also want parents to be aware that they may see a heightened police presence at our schools over the next few days. This is to provide reassurance for our families and to ensure an orderly environment (e.g., to keep camera crews off of school grounds). The district Web site provides resources for parents in helping students cope with unsettling news and events. Look for the link on the district homepage: www.chclc.org.

As always, we appreciate the cooperation of our families as we work together to support our students.

Sincerely,

David Campbell

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MIM:Note the newest Big Lies -any attacks on Muslims "harms the safety and security of our nation".

Islam has nothing to do with terrorism since terrorists are only "claiming to be Muslims"

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070509/NEWS/705090358

Likewise, the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Washington, D.C., issued a statement praising the arrests and urging media not to link the incident with the Muslim faith. The group urged mosques and Islamic leaders to report any anti-Muslim backlash incidents -- and "any suspected criminal activities that could harm the safety and security of our nation."

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070508/NEWS/70508072

Clifton-based immigration attorney Sohail Mohammed said using the term "Islamic militant" further alienates all members of the community, regardless of religious preference.

"We're trying to promote diversity and understanding," Mohammed said. "(When it's implied) that religions and people are synonymous or coexistent, it is not in the best interest of our country." Rahman who heads the Voorhees mosque claims to be a moderate- he too claims that the terrorists are not Muslim. Voorhees, N.J., resident Zia Rahman was watching a television news station this morning when reports of a botched terrorist plot flashed across the screen.

Rahman quickly learned that six men from the former Yugoslavia and the Middle East were arrested for allegedly planning an attack on the Fort Dix Army base.

Rahman, who is managing director and trustee of the Muslim American Community Association and who led the opening of the first mosque in Voorhees, said the news is a setback for all communities across the nation.

"When you hear this kind of story, it's heartbreaking," Rahman said. "I frankly cannot understand why anyone would do that."

Rahman said he is disappointed that the Islamic religion, which is grounded in peace, has been distorted by the actions of "people claiming themselves to be Muslims."


http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070508/NEWS/70508072

MIM: No Jihad to see here folks move on - anyone fighting for the sake of Allah is just claiming to be Muslim.

Muslims: Blame the men, not the religion

By DANA FORDE Posted Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Voorhees, N.J., resident Zia Rahman was watching a television news station this morning when reports of a botched terrorist plot flashed across the screen.

Rahman quickly learned that six men from the former Yugoslavia and the Middle East were arrested for allegedly planning an attack on the Fort Dix Army base.

Rahman, who is managing director and trustee of the Muslim American Community Association and who led the opening of the first mosque in Voorhees, said the news is a setback for all communities across the nation.

"When you hear this kind of story, it's heartbreaking," Rahman said. "I frankly cannot understand why anyone would do that."

Rahman said he is disappointed that the Islamic religion, which is grounded in peace, has been distorted by the actions of "people claiming themselves to be Muslims."

The suspects are from Jordan, Turkey and the former Yugoslavia and practice the Islamic faith. But Rahman said nationality does not play a primary role in Islamic worship. Members of mosques across the country, he said, find unity in faith, not nationality.

Rahman noted that some mosques perform services in Arabic depending on the community's demographic.

"Regardless of who you are or what country you're from, prayer is recited five times a day in Arabic all over the world," said Rahman, who noted that the suspects "should be punished to the fullest extent."

Meanwhile, other members of the Muslim community say the media has been "irresponsible" in using the term "Islamic militants" to describe the suspects.

The emphasis, they said, should be on the men and not the religion.

"Islam is relatively new on the American continent," said Cherry Hill resident Farhat Biviji. "What people know about Muslims comes from the media. So when the press doesn't make this distinction, I think it'll get into the general consciousness of the mainstream."

Cherry Hill resident Taher Jamaluddin agreed that the media has blurred the line separating behavior from religion.

"There are bad people in every religion," Jamaluddin said. "Religion can not be made responsible for the actions of people."

Clifton-based immigration attorney Sohail Mohammed said using the term "Islamic militant" further alienates all members of the community, regardless of religious preference.

"We're trying to promote diversity and understanding," Mohammed said. "(When it's implied) that religions and people are synonymous or coexistent, it is not in the best interest of our country."

Mohammed added that law enforcement must be careful not to cross the line when alluding to the suspects' guilt or innocence before the case runs through the legal system.

"We should be judging people by their actions. Someone practicing their faith has nothing to do with the actions of a lunatic."

This item is available on the Militant Islam Monitor website, at http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/2883