‘I’m Frightened’: backlash after Paris attack

[illusion8]

By KIRK SEMPLE
NOVEMBER 25, 2015
The safety tips, concise and chilling, have been passed from friend to Muslim friend on social media, by imams to their congregations, by Islamic groups to their members, by parents to their children heading off to school:

When in the subway, stand away from the platform edge, preferably with your back against a wall. Walk in groups after dark. Stay alert at all times.

In the days since the Paris terrorist attacks, Muslims in New York and elsewhere have guarded against a violent backlash, changing their routines and trying to manage their fear.

Still, the violence has come.

In the past week and a half, several Muslims in New York, mostly women wearing head scarves, have reported being victims of verbal abuse and physical assault. Even some non-Muslims — including at least one Latino mistaken for a Muslim — have been subjected to taunts or worse.

Two Muslim women in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn said that a man claiming to be a postal worker assaulted them, elbowing one and spitting in her face, and telling them he was going to burn down their “temple.” The police arrested a man on Tuesday in connection with the episode and charged him with aggravated harassment and menacing as a hate crime.

With each passing day, Muslims say, they are growing more fearful for their lives.

Muslim groups have reported a sharp increase in bias incidents around the country, including Muslims harassed and attacked on the street, at work and by phone and in online messages. Numerous mosques and Islamic centers have reported vandalism and threats.

And the community is bracing for more — including in New York City, one of the most pluralistic and inclusive municipalities in the nation.

“Even in New York,” said Ferida Osman, 21, a Hunter College senior and a Muslim, who recalled being spat on by a stranger as she waited for a train at Pennsylvania Station last week. “Definitely in New York. Especially in New York!”

The pressure and scrutiny on Muslims in New York since the Paris attacks “feels like 9/11 happened all over again,” she said.

“It feels like everybody’s staring like you’re on stage and you’re scared to do anything wrong,” she continued.

Ms. Osman, who was born and raised in the United States and wears a hijab, said she was attacked last Tuesday as she was en route from Hunter to her home in Huntington, on Long Island. She was talking on her phone when suddenly she felt a spray of saliva hit her. She said she heard someone yelling, “Go back home, you terrorist,” laced with a vulgarity.

Her attacker quickly melted into the crowd, and she was left stunned and bewildered. It had already been a rough day: She had been singled out three times by the police for bag checks while traveling on the subway system.

“I didn’t feel like a person anymore,” she said. “It’s like the hardest feeling in the world. You feel like you have no allies; you feel like you are alone. It’s a horrible feeling of isolation.” She did not report the episode because, she said, she did not want to relive the trauma and risk the possibility that it might be ignored.

Among other attacks in New York City, Sameya Omarkheil, 22, an Afghan-American student at St. Paul’s School of Nursing in Queens, said a man intentionally tripped her early last week as she was rushing to take an exam. The man then threw his cigarette butt near where she had fallen, ground it out with his shoe and said, “Go back to your country,” recalled Ms. Omarkheil, who was born and raised in New York and also wears a hijab.

“I was so scared on the inside, I couldn’t say anything back,” she said.

Ms. Omarkheil reported the episode to campus security but did not go to the police because she was in the middle of midterms and had no time. Once her exams were done, she said, she thought it was too late.

http://googleweblight.com/?lite_url...530459&sig=ALL1Aj63_ok5m_KEuA2aKINeO9S5Hm6Ypg

 

[illusion8]

Muslim forced off plane as US anti-Islam rhetoric rises

She said that she was the only passenger of about 200 who was asked to leave the flight on Tuesday, as the customs officers confiscated her passport and phone.

 

[illusion8]

Four Middle Eastern passengers kicked off plane after woman said she saw DYNAMITE text
FOUR Middle Eastern passengers were removed from a plane after a woman claimed she saw one of them receive a text with the word "dynamite" and a code for another airport.

Anti-terror officers were called to the incident just days after the Paris attacks which killed 130 people.

The alarmed passenger said she became worried when a man made several phone calls in another language and claimed she saw him receive a text message reading "BLR Dynamite" - apparently referring to an Bengaluru airport, India.

She said the man was travelling with two others and talking with a fourth.

IG

Security officials were heard saying it was a 'credible security threat'

Four Middle Eastern passengers kicked off plane after woman said she saw dynamite text | World | News | Daily Express

 

[The Silent One]

Four Middle Eastern passengers kicked off plane after woman said she saw DYNAMITE text
FOUR Middle Eastern passengers were removed from a plane after a woman claimed she saw one of them receive a text with the word "dynamite" and a code for another airport.

Anti-terror officers were called to the incident just days after the Paris attacks which killed 130 people.

The alarmed passenger said she became worried when a man made several phone calls in another language and claimed she saw him receive a text message reading "BLR Dynamite" - apparently referring to an Bengaluru airport, India.

She said the man was travelling with two others and talking with a fourth.

IG

Security officials were heard saying it was a 'credible security threat'

Four Middle Eastern passengers kicked off plane after woman said she saw dynamite text | World | News | Daily Express

Is this part of the Islamic cultural invasion you were talking about?

 

[Aestu]

Leave it to the Muslims to commit terror against other groups then disclaim all responsibility and talk about nothing but their status as victims.

Pollard was released from jail recently, which pissed a lot of Americans off. Are American Jews also insisting he wasn't Jewish and doing nothing but declaring themselves victims?

 

[Jungibaaz]

Leave it to the Muslims to commit terror against other groups then disclaim all responsibility and talk about nothing but their status as victims.

Pollard was released from jail recently, which pissed a lot of Americans off. Are American Jews also insisting he wasn't Jewish and doing nothing but declaring themselves victims?

Absurd logic. How does anything justify blanket discrimination against a group of ordinary people?
There are actual police reports from various places filed, it's not people pretending to be victims, this actually happens.

Also, it is fitting to be bringing this topic up at this time, if the cases of hate and bigotry are rising now, then it means a lot of people are playing right into the hands of the terrorists and their will to further their whole 'clash of civilisations' agenda. I'd congratulate you personally too.

 

[Aestu]

Absurd logic. How does anything justify blanket discrimination against a group of ordinary people? There are actual police reports from various places filed, it's not people pretending to be victims, this actually happens.

Also, it is fitting to be bringing this topic up at this time, if the cases of hate and bigotry are rising now, then it means a lot of people are playing right into the hands of the terrorists and their will to further their whole 'clash of civilisations' agenda. I'd congratulate you personally too.

Islamic terrorism is unique to Islam. The terrorists and their goals have broad support in the Islamic community. The very fact ordinary Muslims claim to be victims of all this, and are only ever interested in protesting perceived outrages by kaffirs, proves as much. Europe is awash in Muslims who demand to live in countries they hate.

 

[Jai Bharat]

Also, it is fitting to be bringing this topic up at this time, if the cases of hate and bigotry are rising now, then it means a lot of people are playing right into the hands of the terrorists and their will to further their whole 'clash of civilisations' agenda. I'd congratulate you personally too.

The fact remains that developed nations such as Japan, Korea, and Taiwan with NO Muslim populations have had NO terrorist attacks, while those countries that do harbour Muslims are prime targets.

There are a growing number of people in America and the West that feel 'No Muslims = No terrorist attacks'. Most Americans don't even want to accept a single Syrian refugee into the country anymore. You can argue that most Muslims are moderate and do not believe in IS and Sharia, but that won't change the perception of Islam as a religion of terror in the minds of Westerners in light of Islamic terrorist attacks by the extremists.

 

[Jungibaaz]

Islamic terrorism is unique to Islam. The terrorists and their goals have broad support in the Islamic community. The very fact ordinary Muslims claim to be victims of all this, and are only ever interested in protesting perceived outrages by kaffirs, proves as much. Europe is awash in Muslims who demand to live in countries they hate.

Part in bold is a silly statement, that's like saying, European football is unique to Europe. Well of course it is, that's why it is called so. Perhaps you meant that Islamic terrorism is unique for x, y and z reasons, which would be more valid.

Also, the rest of your post I'm not so sure where to begin criticising, it is wrong in many ways. First of all, I said, and I asked, inferred, implored you to reason, as to how it is you may justify bigotry and hate against people. Here it seems you've done two things: firstly you've tried to justify the bigotry and hate, and then you've said that it doesn't exist and that were merely pretending to be victims.

So, next time you reply, which if you do, you should think a lot harder about the words you write and what they mean in response to mine... make your mind about which it is, are we pretending or not, if not, then is it justified?

Lastly, your quote; 'the very fact ordinary Muslims claim to be victims of all this' is total bollocks...

It is a FACT that there are recorded cases of abuse against Muslims, for them being Muslim, in the US, UK and the rest of Europe. It is also a FACT that the biggest victims of terrorism are Muslim themselves, the 3,000 that died on 9/11 were significantly less than what we saw in Pakistan, the Paris attacks weren't so huge when compared with the loss of life in Syria, now in solid 6 figures. And that is a fact, and not just 'my opinion man..'.

The fact remains that developed nations such as Japan, Korea, and Taiwan with NO Muslim populations have had NO terrorist attacks, while those countries that do harbour Muslims are prime targets.

There are a growing number of people in America and the West that feel 'No Muslims = No terrorist attacks'. Most Americans don't even want to accept a single Syrian refugee into the country anymore. You can argue that most Muslims are moderate and do not believe in IS and Sharia, but that won't change the perception of Islam as a religion of terror in the minds of Westerners in light of Islamic terrorist attacks by the extremists.

You're right, that is a fact, but, correlation does not necessarily imply causation. Antarctica also hasn't had any terrorist attacks, I suppose we should chalk that down to no Muslim penguins around those parts. Anyway, you're right in saying that this is the mindset of some, what they do not realise is that their response to people like ISIS, if alienates large sections of their own Muslim community, no good will come of it.

We Muslims want ISIS destroyed far more badly than anyone, believe us, but what bigots do, and right wing idiots do is, play right into the hands of the terrorists and their propaganda.

 

[RescueRanger]

Leave it to the Muslims to commit terror against other groups then disclaim all responsibility and talk about nothing but their status as victims.

Pollard was released from jail recently, which pissed a lot of Americans off. Are American Jews also insisting he wasn't Jewish and doing nothing but declaring themselves victims?

Go back to playing warcraft and leave the sensible discussions to grownup's.

Islamic terrorism is unique to Islam. The terrorists and their goals have broad support in the Islamic community. The very fact ordinary Muslims claim to be victims of all this, and are only ever interested in protesting perceived outrages by kaffirs, proves as much. Europe is awash in Muslims who demand to live in countries they hate.

Is Christian Terrorism unique to Christianity or is it the case that when a white Christian like Brevik goes Postal, he is labelled as a long wolf mad-man with deep mental health issues? Needless to say, are you conveniently forgetting who created seeds of terror in the middle east as far back as 1956?

Go read some history books, broaden your mind. Discover what the US did in Iran, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, Iraq, Lybia, Jordan, Columbia, Peru, Mexico, Chile and than we can talk about "terrorism".

There are a growing number of people in America and the West that feel 'No Muslims = No terrorist attacks'.

LOL... quantify "Growing"?!

 

[pakdefender]

The pattern in a lot of these incidents , the cretins somehow take their anger out on women wearing hijab.

The attacks happened in Paris and displays of impotent rage are being put on display in the US, France is a place far away from America and one which itself earned the ire of flag waving patriots of US who gave us the "freedom fries".

There is definitely a culture of hate in America , when this man (Sgt Bales) went on a killing spree, shooting sleeping children, he said he did so as " he came to hate everyone who isn't american" ( wonder how he describes american , white , angry and christian I suppose ? )

The Belgian Football team captain Vincent Kompany gave a very good interview a few days back, he himself grew up in Molenbeek and had the courage to say the attacks were 'predictable' , such level headedness is required to address the the issues that lead to violence.

Apart from social depravity of muslims , addressing the Israeli-Palestinian issue would be the way forward to making the world less violent.

 

[Dubious]

Leave it to the Muslims to commit terror against other groups then disclaim all responsibility and talk about nothing but their status as victims.

and what about the white supremacists? When will the whites apologize to the natives of S.America, the American indians, Aborigines?

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=522456597917232

 

[pakdefender]

Pollard was released from jail recently, which pissed a lot of Americans off. Are American Jews also insisting he wasn't Jewish and doing nothing but declaring themselves victims?

Are American Jews being harassed and terrorised over Pollard , like American Muslims are being harassed and terrorized over Paris attacks ?

In the carnage of it all , the Israelis got their man out

 

[xyxmt]

The fact remains that developed nations such as Japan, Korea, and Taiwan with NO Muslim populations have had NO terrorist attacks, while those countries that do harbour Muslims are prime targets.

There are a growing number of people in America and the West that feel 'No Muslims = No terrorist attacks'. Most Americans don't even want to accept a single Syrian refugee into the country anymore. You can argue that most Muslims are moderate and do not believe in IS and Sharia, but that won't change the perception of Islam as a religion of terror in the minds of Westerners in light of Islamic terrorist attacks by the extremists.

there is another fact also...Japan, Korea and Taiwan never attacked any country or group in recent history while NATO attacked Iraq, Afghanistan, Lybia and Syria so they have created animosities. Why is it that Indians always do a subjective analysis when Muslims are involved

Leave it to the Muslims to commit terror against other groups then disclaim all responsibility and talk about nothing but their status as victims.

Pollard was released from jail recently, which pissed a lot of Americans off. Are American Jews also insisting he wasn't Jewish and doing nothing but declaring themselves victims?

and leave it on West to attack and kill millions but when someone does a revenge attack they grow animosity towards the entire religious group. by the way are you Dave from Houston?

 

[illusion8]

Part in bold is a silly statement, that's like saying, European football is unique to Europe. Well of course it is, that's why it is called so. Perhaps you meant that Islamic terrorism is unique for x, y and z reasons, which would be more valid.

Also, the rest of your post I'm not so sure where to begin criticising, it is wrong in many ways. First of all, I said, and I asked, inferred, implored you to reason, as to how it is you may justify bigotry and hate against people. Here it seems you've done two things: firstly you've tried to justify the bigotry and hate, and then you've said that it doesn't exist and that were merely pretending to be victims.

So, next time you reply, which if you do, you should think a lot harder about the words you write and what they mean in response to mine... make your mind about which it is, are we pretending or not, if not, then is it justified?

Lastly, your quote; 'the very fact ordinary Muslims claim to be victims of all this' is total bollocks...

It is a FACT that there are recorded cases of abuse against Muslims, for them being Muslim, in the US, UK and the rest of Europe. It is also a FACT that the biggest victims of terrorism are Muslim themselves, the 3,000 that died on 9/11 were significantly less than what we saw in Pakistan, the Paris attacks weren't so huge when compared with the loss of life in Syria, now in solid 6 figures. And that is a fact, and not just 'my opinion man..'.



You're right, that is a fact, but, correlation does not necessarily imply causation. Antarctica also hasn't had any terrorist attacks, I suppose we should chalk that down to no Muslim penguins around those parts. Anyway, you're right in saying that this is the mindset of some, what they do not realise is that their response to people like ISIS, if alienates large sections of their own Muslim community, no good will come of it.

We Muslims want ISIS destroyed far more badly than anyone, believe us, but what bigots do, and right wing idiots do is, play right into the hands of the terrorists and their propaganda.

Your arguments are valid for the most part...but islamic history is replete with violence and war, I am no scholar of history. But there is something seriously seriously wrong.

Indian muslims who will be the world's largest muslim population in the world shortly are supposedly the most peaceful group in the world. .but then..there come wahaabist preachers in their thousands trying to turn them into maniacal fanatics, ISI inciting them to turn into traitors, Internet filled with propaganda from isis which will turn a few eventually.

When you say that muslims want isis dead....then why is there no muslim army or muslim airforce attacking them and taking care of the issue?..I hear pakistan refused to join an anti isis coalition..If isis really troubles muslims so much then why did pakistan turn is back?.

A few internet or media condemnation does not cut...If you consider Hindu extreme right wing rising in India as a issue....who do you see opposing it?...It's Hindus..even at the cost of alienating their audience or putting up with lot of criticism. They might be wrong or they might be right..that's for us to sort out.


Similarly If you see Christian right wing expanding..its the christians who stand up against it.

Muslims or Islam hasn't matured enough or one can say that it is restricted or handicapped or too medieval to evolve compared to the other mainstream religions, that it transforms into something meaningful.

For e.g...If one becomes more muslim..then he becomes more intolerant and hate filled for other religons and more restrictive in associating with others and more restrictive to its women ..case in point any high mullah scholar or mufti..

If becoming a true muslim is that then there is a serious problem. Only when a muslim becomes liberal and exists in a liberal society like a non muslim one, only then he accepts plurality and secularism as a way of life...and such muslims become wajib ul qatl become they accept the ways of the kuffars.