Ramadan Clash with 9/11 Anniversary Raises Fears
Celebrations to mark end of Muslim fasting could be deliberately misinterpreted to spark hostility, religious groups warn
By Riazat Butt and Chris McGreal, Guardian
August 17, 2010 – Islamic groups in the US fear an overlap between the end of Ramadan and the anniversary of 9/11 will lead to criticisms that Muslims are celebrating the 2001 terrorist attacks.
Islam follows a lunar calendar, so Ramadan begins approximately 10 days earlier every year. This year, Eid al-Fitr – the festival that marks the end of fasting – falls on or around September 11.
Some groups worry that the coincidence will increase suspicion and hostility towards Islam at a time when feelings towards their religion are already running high.
President Barack Obama has come under intense criticism for throwing his weight behind plans to build an Islamic community centre close to Ground Zero. Newt Gingrich, the former speaker of the House of Representatives, compared the planned mosque to “Nazis” erecting a sign next to the Washington Holocaust museum.
Americans Against Hate have accused organisers of one Ramadan event of “spitting in the face of Americans” because they had scheduled activities for September 12.
The Islamic Circle of North America decided against holding its Muslim family day on September 11 out of respect for victims and families. Founder Tariq Amanullah worked in the World Trade Centre and died in the attacks.
An ICNA spokesman, Naeem Baig, said: “We took the decision not to have it on September 11 because it is not a day to celebrate. We will be mourning the deaths of all those who perished.
“We wish it to be as close to Eid as possible. But we don’t want it on 9/11. That would be insensitive, we had to think of that.”
He said that some critics would deliberately misinterpret Eid celebrations as something sinister but that the misconception was mostly due to ignorance of Islamic festivals.
The Muslim Public Affairs Council, an advocacy group based in Los Angeles, is reported to have contacted police to alert them to the overlapping dates. Another has urged mosques to improve surveillance and security on their premises.
Ibrahim Hooper, of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said it was up to each individual community how they celebrated Eid but they might change the nature of the public events because of its proximity to 9/11.
“I don’t think people will change their religious observance. Eid is a prayer in the morning but they might do something about the funfairs and bazaars they hold to celebrate.
“We always tell mosques to revise their security when Islamophobia is on the rise. We have a whole industry of people searching for any excuse to bash Islam and this is one of them.”
Haroon Moghul, the director of an Islamic outreach body, wrote: “If Eid falls on the anniversary of that day, it will be an especially difficult task for a Muslim in New York. Many of our congregations were hurt that day, either personally or through the loss of loved ones. Many good friends of mine rushed to ground zero to give aid and spent hours, even days, doing what they could for the victims and for the brave first responders who were badly wounded.”
Article Courtesy: Guardian News and Media Limited
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/17/ramadan-clash-9-11-anniversary
Noor: you really need to re-examine your basics of Islam.
It is very clear in Islam –
one cannot pray/make dua for a dead non-Muslim. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) wanted to pray for his parents but he was not allowed to by Angel Jibreel (on Allah’s command)
So before we all go touchy-touchy with our neighbors, lets not forget that our first duty is to follow Islam.
And just to add one more thought of the day:
As much as I am opposed to Cordoba Group (I believe they are too liberal and certain Sufis are fools), I do feel they should not back down of this Center they want to build.
If NY doesn’t allow it, they must use present laws to allow this center to be built.
We cannot back down on every thing. Our bretheren are occupied, bombed…Damn it, where we pay taxes we should not be allowed to cower just because it goes against their sensibilities.
I cannot tell you how much pleasure it gives me to see them get rankled over Megrahi.. though the angst we feel still pales in comparision
This is actually is quite simple. And could do immense benefit to Muslims in US if we think this one through and plan ahead. If Eid falls on Sep 11th, we should use that as an opportunity to remember those who dies, pray for them. Sep 11th is a Sat. Invite our neighbors, dignitaries, local officials to the prayer service in rememberance of those who lost their lives on Sep 11th. Muslim and non-muslims. Condemn terrorism. Lets the media cover this. It can truly be a day to remember. I think Allah (SWT) is presenting us with a unique opportunity to reach out and build bridges.
Asalaamu Alaikum…This is ridiculous. Live and let live. The people responsible for these attacks were crazies, just like every religion has crazies on the fringe. People need to realize that Muslims are just like everybody else…good people trying to live their lives. Condemn the people who were responsible for the attacks, but don’t connect them to Islam. They were crazy people. I am a convert to Islam. If I had thought Islam was a religion full of terrorists and angry people, I would not have joined.
Ridiculous.
Salaam Alaikum – I decided that I am personally going to give all white people who look like Timothy McVay mean, dirty looks on April 15th when the Oklahoma City tragedy took place because I have family that worked for the Government – although they were all retired by 1995 and were not in the Federal Bldg that day.. oh.. and also, since I am white – should I give myself a mean look too… this is how ludicrous this whole thing is. I do agree that it is always good to be politically correct in the country you live in – but, come on, when are people going to stop bringing this up every single year. May Allah Azza Wajaal give us Sabr..
There is absolutely no need of being feerful of a hand full of cowards. I mean come on… now Muslims have become so weak that they cannot even celebrate their Holy Occasions because of something happened on that day in this country ? ICNA should take a bold action and go ahead with the program. This is sending such a weak and negative message to the community.
I would ten ask Zoo what if they manifested in front of your own home? Would you then leave this country? Celebrating your holiday at your mosque is not provocation, it is rather your absolute right guaranteed by our nation’s religious freedom and diversity.
Nur: I completely agree with you.
We Muslims need to develop a back-bone. The amount of compromise that our ‘so-called’ leaders are doing is getting to be ridiculous.
And these leaders blame the Middle East rulers for being spineless
We will celebrate Eid on whichever it date it is
This 9/11 masquerading stuff is getting totally out of hand. I’m a New Yorker born and raised and the Eid festivities are not like parades in the street. They are actually very modest in NY. If you are guilty of the attacks please apologize, if not, then mourn and be a victim who is trying to move on like me and everybody else who suffered that day. People seem to be forgetting that New York is a cosmopolitan city. Its a shame that people who don’t understand our nature and resilience are in the midst of the conversation about what happens in our city. Ramadan is not clashing with anything. Islam is not clashing. Stop acting as if Islam is a problem! Get on your own program and stop feeding into this opportunist political pimping conversation. I’m tired of this sort of fear-mongering talk. I also find it quite annoying!
I agree that certain measures should be taken to make sure the sad day of 9/11 will be respected. I don’t like provocations. if I’m told there are angry anti-islamic guys planning to manifest in front of my mosque, I would stay home and pray.
These people have a lot of nerve! Its our Islamic Holiday. were not gonna stop it for anybody. and what about all the muslims that died in 9/11? Muslims died there too tell them to swallow that!