Muslim family expelled from Empire State building for praying get payout

[Zarvan]

PHOTO: REUTERS

NEW YORK: A Muslim family that filed a $5 million a lawsuit against the owner of the Empire State building after being forcibly removed for praying on the observation deck of the building, have settled for an undisclosed sum.

The husband and wife; Fahad 32 and Amina Tirmizi 30, who were removed from the observation deck of the Empire State building for praying, claimed their civil rights were violated along with their First and 14th amendment rights which are assured by the New York City and the New York State.

Two security guards approached them when they were silently praying and one rudely poked Fahad and told him they aren’t allowed to pray.

The couple claim they were ‘assaulted, battered and forcibly removed’ from the renowned sky scraper’s observation deck.

The family believed they were targeted because they are Muslims. Two security guards had escorted them to the elevator and lobby and then out of the building after telling them they are not allowed to pray.

Read:Islamophobia is a reality

“We weren’t doing anything wrong,” Fahad said. “We just wanted to enjoy the view like everyone else.”

The family say they walked to a quiet spot to pray. Fahad Tirmizi told the Gothamist that he has prayed in public before and therefore the expulsion was particularly shocking.

“Earlier that same day at the Staten Island Ferry terminal, I needed to pray the afternoon prayer and wanted to make sure I’m not in the way,” he said.

“I confirmed with a police officer who was standing right there to make sure it was a good spot. The officer responded, ‘Go for it, it’s not illegal to pray.’ ”

Earlier, the Empire State Realty Trust were reluctant to admit that the family’s claim had merit, reports CNN’s Kristina Sgueglia;

“Claims are totally without merit and we will respond to them in court.”

Fahad and Amina’s lawsuit said that:

“The Empire State Building has an unlawful [policy] that subjects Muslims to greater and/or heightened suspicion, security and/or surveillance compared to other religious and nonreligious individuals.”

The family as well as their lawyer Philip Hines declined to comment on the private settlement. The family adding that they aren’t allowed to talk about it.

Last year their lawyer said to the NY Post:

“They weren’t bothering anybody, they were out of the way, and for them to be thrown out of the building is just an ignorant and shameful exercise in discriminatory conduct.”

The article articles originally appeared on NYP and RT
Muslim family expelled from Empire State building for praying get payout - The Express Tribune
@Horus @Jangibaaz @HRK @PWCI @Tipu7

 

[third eye]

There are prayer rooms in most public places .

One has to pay to get to the observation deck I presume, therefore its not a public place - rights of admission are reserved for those who pay.

If the need to pray was overwhelming they should have gone to a public place. In any case before they paid & went up , they would have known that prayer time is imminent. Why didn't they say their prayers in a public place and then go up ?

If a place does not have a prayer room or child care room it implies that people are not expected to do this there.

They may feel they were doing nothing wrong but it may have been objectionable to other visitors.

 

[Soulspeek]

If one needs to pray, they must pray in solitude to feel the presence and closeness of God.

Praying in public places and streets is a way of many muslims to attract undue attention of passerby.

Its really a nuisance in India where many consider it their birthright to squat on the whole street to pray!

 

[gau8av]

praying in public

go make a big show of it, piss people off, and then exploit the system and get paid for it

 

[Tipu7]

We know in General public do not Like praying of Muslims in public place particularly in west. So one must be care full while praying to God that he is not over showing his self. Western public believes that the guy who is offering prayer openly is perhaps a jihadist and this is conception create problem

 

[gambit]

Public display of religiosity is about religious one-upmanship, as in 'I am holier than thou', and very little about genuine piety.

 

[feedermen]

That's the easiest way to claim victimhood and Islamophobia..

 

[Hyperion]

Agreed. I'm sure these two most probably wanted to create a scene and make some quick cash, which they did...... whatever the case, forgetting these two morons, Islamophobia is pretty rampant in the US.

Public display of religiosity is about religious one-upmanship, as in 'I am holier than thou', and very little about genuine piety.

 

[gambit]

Agreed. I'm sure these two most probably wanted to create a scene and make some quick cash, which they did...... whatever the case, forgetting these two morons, Islamophobia is pretty rampant in the US.

The best people I have yet met are religionists, but the worst people I have yet met are also religionists. Not the same people, but of the same type. Islam and Muslims maybe prominent in current times, but that is because of circumstances. I have no problems with outward displays of one's religious beliefs, such as symbols, but I do have a problem with when one's religious ACTIONS begins to manifest and often interfere with the public's daily activities, regardless of specific religion.

 

[Hyperion]

I've exactly the same views as you do!

The best people I have yet met are religionists, but the worst people I have yet met are also religionists. Not the same people, but of the same type. Islam and Muslims maybe prominent in current times, but that is because of circumstances. I have no problems with outward displays of one's religious beliefs, such as symbols, but I do have a problem with when one's religious ACTIONS begins to manifest and often interfere with the public's daily activities, regardless of specific religion.

 

[TopCat]

Praying in the observation deck ???
I am with Empire State authority in this case.

 

[IceCold]

Muslims need to be careful because they are considered as threat even when majority of them are peaceful and contribute to the society just as much as any other national or religious person. However it would be better that If prayers are to be offered than they better do it in their homes behind close doors or in mosques and not public.

 

[syedali73]

PHOTO: REUTERS

NEW YORK: A Muslim family that filed a $5 million a lawsuit against the owner of the Empire State building after being forcibly removed for praying on the observation deck of the building, have settled for an undisclosed sum.

The husband and wife; Fahad 32 and Amina Tirmizi 30, who were removed from the observation deck of the Empire State building for praying, claimed their civil rights were violated along with their First and 14th amendment rights which are assured by the New York City and the New York State.

Two security guards approached them when they were silently praying and one rudely poked Fahad and told him they aren’t allowed to pray.

The couple claim they were ‘assaulted, battered and forcibly removed’ from the renowned sky scraper’s observation deck.

The family believed they were targeted because they are Muslims. Two security guards had escorted them to the elevator and lobby and then out of the building after telling them they are not allowed to pray.

Read:Islamophobia is a reality

“We weren’t doing anything wrong,” Fahad said. “We just wanted to enjoy the view like everyone else.”

The family say they walked to a quiet spot to pray. Fahad Tirmizi told the Gothamist that he has prayed in public before and therefore the expulsion was particularly shocking.

“Earlier that same day at the Staten Island Ferry terminal, I needed to pray the afternoon prayer and wanted to make sure I’m not in the way,” he said.

“I confirmed with a police officer who was standing right there to make sure it was a good spot. The officer responded, ‘Go for it, it’s not illegal to pray.’ ”

Earlier, the Empire State Realty Trust were reluctant to admit that the family’s claim had merit, reports CNN’s Kristina Sgueglia;

“Claims are totally without merit and we will respond to them in court.”

Fahad and Amina’s lawsuit said that:

“The Empire State Building has an unlawful [policy] that subjects Muslims to greater and/or heightened suspicion, security and/or surveillance compared to other religious and nonreligious individuals.”

The family as well as their lawyer Philip Hines declined to comment on the private settlement. The family adding that they aren’t allowed to talk about it.

Last year their lawyer said to the NY Post:

“They weren’t bothering anybody, they were out of the way, and for them to be thrown out of the building is just an ignorant and shameful exercise in discriminatory conduct.”

The article articles originally appeared on NYP and RT
Muslim family expelled from Empire State building for praying get payout - The Express Tribune
@Horus @Jangibaaz @HRK @PWCI @Tipu7

Such morons deserve to be thrown out of States instead of being compensated for their sheer stupidity. A very bad precedence is set.

We know in General public do not Like praying of Muslims in public place particularly in west. So one must be care full while praying to God that he is not over showing his self. Western public believes that the guy who is offering prayer openly is perhaps a jihadist and this is conception create problem

Because most likely he is. Prayers is something strictly between a person and whoever he worships to. There is no need to put one's piousness on exhibition. This is a pathetic act. There is after all a reason for concession (qasar) given by Allah.

 

[East or West India Best]

Seems like there is two sets of laws: 1 for the muslims where they can do whatever they want; and 2 for us nonmuslims who aren't even allowed to express our thoughts yet alone actions.

 

[Zarvan]

Such morons deserve to be thrown out of States instead of being compensated for their sheer stupidity. A very bad precedence is set.

Because most likely he is. Prayers is something strictly between a person and whoever he worships to. There is no need to put one's piousness on exhibition. This is a pathetic act. There is after all a reason for concession (qasar) given by Allah.

Really she was not stopping an area she way praying in corner. She was not detonating a bomb or something.