Degree of Madness

Obama to NASA: Make Muslims feel good about themselves

According to NASA's website:  NASA's mission is to pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery and aeronautics research.

Maybe NASA needs to update its website.  According to NASA administrator Charles Bolden there's a new mission (my emphasis):

When I became the NASA Administrator — before I became the NASA Administrator — [Obama] charged me with three things: One was he wanted me to help re-inspire children to want to get into science and math, he wanted me to expand our international relationships, and third, and perhaps foremost, he wanted me to find a way to reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with dominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science, math, and engineering.

Foremost?  Is this a joke?  Unfortunately, it doesn't appear to be:

“NASA is not only a space exploration agency,” Bolden concluded, “but also an earth improvement agency.”

Earth improvement agency.  How a person who could come up with that dopey statement made it to the top of the National Aeronautic and Space Administration is beyond me.  But he gets his orders from the president, the poster child for the Peter Principle.

Maybe Obama thinks the rocket attacks on Israel count as "historic contributions to science".  Maybe Muslims will promise not to fly any more planes into our buildings if we let them play astronaut.

Maybe we'll survive President Barack Hussein Obama.

Leaving Islam

Muslim apostates threatened over Christianity:

Sofia Allam simply could not believe it. Her kind, loving father was sitting in front of her threatening to kill her. He said she had brought shame and humiliation on him, that she was now "worse than the muck on their shoes" and she deserved to die.

And what had brought on his transformation? He had discovered that she had left the Muslim faith in which he had raised her and become a Christian.

"He said he couldn't have me in the house now that I was a Kaffir [an insulting term for a non-Muslim]," Sofia - not her real name - remembers.

"He said I was damned for ever. He insulted me horribly. I couldn't recognise that man as the father who had been so kind to me as I was growing up.

Surely Sofia's mother would stand up for her, protect her?  Sadly, no:

"My mother's transformation was even worse. She constantly beat me about the head. She screamed at me all the time.  I remember saying to them, as they were shouting death threats, 'Mum, Dad - you're saying you should kill me… but I'm your daughter! Don't you realise that?'?"

There are no words...

Christmas, Halloween back in Illinois school

And Ramadan, too.  From cbs2 Chicago:

Following a school board meeting where parent complained about what the saw as an assault on traditional American celebrations, an Oak Lawn school district has decided to keep observing Halloween and Christmas, but only on the condition that Muslim holiday Ramadan is celebrated as well.

The school district had asked principals to tone down all holiday celebrations after a Muslim mother requested that her children be separated from others during lunch for the Ramadan fast.

But after heated remarks from many parents at the meeting Tuesday, the school board changed its position.

"Everything is staying the same," school board member Dave Lis said. "Christmas is still Christmas, and Halloween is still Halloween."

Creeping Sharia.  Foot baths, prayer rooms, Ramadan.  Hate crimes, Islam in the classroom, Wahhabis in America. 

Christmas is still Christmas, and Halloween is still Halloween.  For now.

NYU student Pia Clive: "If we were at Alabama State, it would be a different story"

Damn right, mother Superior.

The New York Post:

New York University wants to make its sinks foot-free.

As more than a dozen universities and colleges across the country have done, the school is looking to install foot baths for ritualistic cleansing in a new Islamic center proposed for its more-than-1,500 Muslim students.

If NYU wants to put foot baths in their Islamic Center, that's their business.  It's a private school.  I assume only Muslims will be there and they obviously have no problem watching people wash their feet in public. It was this condescending statement that got my attention:

Non-Muslim students interviewed at the campus suggested yesterday that even if foot baths were installed in a public place like the student library, they would not likely create a stir on the liberal campus.

"I think most people would really approve of that," said senior Pia Clive, 20. "It's NYU. If we were at Alabama State, it would be a different story."

Pia dear, your little put down is actually quite accurate.  Although we have our share of dhimmies down here, the vast majority of us are not about to submit to creeping sharia, and make no mistake that's exactly what this is. 

By the way, here's a little info on Alabama State:

Alabama State University was founded in 1867 as the Lincoln School of Marion in Marion, Alabama, a private institution for blacks, by nine former slaves. The founders and original trustees of our great institution are: Joey P. Pinch, Thomas Speed, Nicholas Dale, James Childs, Thomas Lee, John Freeman, Nathan Levert, David Harris and Alexander H. Curtis. The Lincoln School was incorporated on July 18, 1867 and opened November 13, 1867 with 113 students.

Something tells me Pia did not know ASU was founded by former slaves and at one time was a "private institution for blacks".  If Pia had a clue what she was talking about, I doubt she would have directed her comment at Alabama State.  Clueless in New York.

Christmas, Halloween canceled at four Illinois schools

Update on this story.  From cbs2 Chicago:

A southwest suburban school district has taken action, responding to the concerns of a Muslim parent.

How does "Happy Fall Festival" sound?  Or "Merry Winter Festival"?  Just rolls right off the tongue, doesn't it?

For now, children in Ridgeland School District 122 will celebrate fall festival instead of Halloween and winter festival instead of Christmas.

[...]

The decision affects the children at four elementary schools in Oak Lawn and one junior high school in Bridgeview. 

The district has a 30 percent Arab-American population, many of whom practice Islam. The superintendent says the reason for the change in tradition comes after one parent wanted Ramadan decorations put up inside Columbus Manor Elementary. They were taken down.

Superintendent Tom Smyth said, "I go back to our policy which says that public schools are to remain neutral in this respect.

Public schools.  And therein lies the problem.  Parents in the school district are fighting back and the decision could possibly be reversed:

Ridgeland School District 122 has called for an emergency meeting on the issue, to be held on Tuesday.

Meantime, Muslim children are being allowed to pray during what's being called their own time, that's lunch time, during Ramadan.

I assume Christians and Jews are allowed to pray during lunch as well? 

Meanwhile in the U.S. Congress today:

HRES 635 IH

110th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. RES. 635
Recognizing the commencement of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and commending Muslims in the United States and throughout the world for their faith.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 5, 2007
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas (for herself, Mr. MEEKS of New York, and Mr. ELLISON) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RESOLUTION
Recognizing the commencement of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and commending Muslims in the United States and throughout the world for their faith.

Whereas since the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, threats and incidents of violence have been directed at law-abiding, patriotic Americans of African, Arab, and South Asian descent, particularly members of the Islamic faith;

Whereas, on September 14, 2001, the House of Representatives passed a concurrent resolution condemning bigotry and violence against Arab-Americans, American Muslims, and Americans from South Asia in the wake of the terrorist attacks;

Whereas it is estimated that there are approximately 1,500,000,000 Muslims worldwide;

Whereas Ramadan is the holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal for Muslims worldwide, and is the 9th month of the Muslim calendar year; and

Whereas the observance of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan commences at dusk on September 13, 2007, and continues for one lunar month: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That--

(1) during this time of conflict, in order to demonstrate solidarity with and support for members of the community of Islam in the United States and throughout the world, the House of Representatives recognizes the Islamic faith as one of the great religions of the world; and

(2) in observance of and out of respect for the commencement of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, the House of Representatives acknowledges the onset of Ramadan and expresses its deepest respect to Muslims in the United States and throughout the world on this significant occasion.

Whose culture is it anyway?

This is getting ridiculous.  From the Chicago Sun-Times:

So long, Halloween parade. Farewell, Santa's gift shop.

The holiday traditions are facing elimination in some Oak Lawn schools this year after complaints that the activities are offensive, particularly to Muslim students.

Final decisions on which of the festivities will be axed will fall to the principals at each of Ridgeland School District 122's five schools, Supt. Tom Smyth said.

How is it that people can come here from anywhere else in the world and demand we change our traditions for them?  What in the hell is wrong with this picture?

Elizabeth Zahdan, a mother of three District 122 students, says she took her concerns to the school board this month, not because she wanted to do away with the traditions, but rather to make them more inclusive. "I only wanted them modified to represent everyone," she said.

More inclusive?  The damn traditions are what they are.  If they are changed they are effectively done away with.  And how in the hell do you modify Halloween to represent Muslims?  Maybe everyone wears a burka? 

Mrs. Zahdan, if you don't like our traditions, please feel free to go back to where you came from.  This is the United States of America.  We have our traditions, our holidays, our celebrations.  No one is forcing you to participate.  Do not expect us to change to accommodate YOU.  You chose to come here, deal with it.  If our culture is so offensive to you, then you came to the wrong place.   

Foot baths, they're all the rage

This is just gross:

Three times a day during their shifts at the Indianapolis International Airport, more than 100 Muslim cab drivers wash their feet.

In the parking lot where they wait to be dispatched, some fill plastic bottles with water and pour it over the right foot, then the left. Others clean their feet in the restroom sink.

Help is on the way:

The practice is the last step in a ritual called ablution -- "wudu" in Arabic -- which involves washing several parts of the body to cleanse before Muslims' five daily prayers.

And by November 2008, when the new $1.07 billion airport terminal is scheduled to be complete, the restroom near the parking lot where taxi drivers stay between runs will include floor-level sinks that will make their daily ritual easier.

It's still gross.  The last thing I want to see in any public facility is someone washing their feet. 

Such foot baths have started to crop up across the country, in schools such as the University  of Michigan-Dearborn, where more than 10 percent of students are Muslims, and at airports such as Kansas City International Airport.

[...]

Khalid Zouecha, 38, said he rinses his feet with a bottle of water outside the bathroom to avoid the stares of other drivers.

"Most of them look at you like, 'What are those guys doing?' " Zouecha said. "They know what we're doing, but they look at us like they're strange actions."

And some drivers say the water-bottle routine gets old, especially in the winter.  "It's like you are in the jungle, like a primitive human," said Aziz Nachid, 42.

Strange and primitive?  Ya think?  As poster Jrsample at Lucianne said, they should do their bathing at home.

"Stop The Madrassa" press conference

Urban Infidel was there:

Stop the Madrassa held a press conference on the steps of New York City Hall today on the first day of school. According to their press release, to announce the launch of a new national organization, as well as an intensified initiative to force New York City to respond to Freedom of Information Law requests concerning textbooks, lesson plans, curricula, correspondence and design documents for the Khalil Gibran International Academy.

The new organization, Citizens for American Values in Public Education, will expand the fight nationwide to stop the imposition of radical Islamist agendas in curricula, Arabic language programs, history classes, textbooks, teacher training, and charter schools. The organization is distributing a new publication nationwide in October: "Stop the Madrassa: A Citizens Guide to Islamist Curricula In Public Schools."  An early draft of the publication will be released at the press conference.

Supporters also demand the immediate closing of the Khalil Gibran International Academy in Brooklyn New York. Stop the Madrassa succeeded in forcing the resignation of KGIA's controversial founder and first principal, Dhabah Almontaser.

Pamela at Atlas Shrugs was also there and has more pictures and commentary.  One of the speakers was Eblan Farris:

Eblan Farris  one of the Founders of The Friends of Gibran Council, and is also a founding member of the United States Chapter of the World Council of the Cedars Revolution which has as its main goal the freedom, democracy and independence of Lebanon states emphatically that the Khahil Gibran name not be used for the madrassa.

I always thought it was somewhat disingenuous the name Khalil Gibran was used for the school, as if taking the name of a Christian would appease the critics.

Both Urban Infidel and Pamela noted the hostility of the press.  From Atlas Shrugs:

The Q & A was a joke. The reporters yelling "why are you calling it a madrassa?" "How do you know what they will teach?" "Why are you against an Arabic school? "Isn't this tied to the Israel/Palestinian conflict?"

The coalition said, we are just asking questions. Unanswered questions. Do you think for a moment that the press asks the imams on KGIA's religious board the same questions? Or asks anyone at KGIA any tough questions?

Frank Gaffney was the most hard hitting of the speakers particularly when he turned the tables on the press/reporters that were acting like handmaidens for Islamism. Gaffney shouted back, why aren't you asking these questions? Why aren't you doing your jobs? Why are you leaving it (to) concerned parents and community members.

Urban Infidel:

The speakers were excellent. The press was hostile of course. Questions put the the speakers during the Q&A were couched in the most racist of inferences.

Urban Infidel will have more photos and updates.  Thanks to Urban Infidel and Pamela for their outstanding reports.

Also, be sure to check out the Stop The Madrassa website.

For background on the Khalil Gibran International Academy, see Daniel Pipes' blog.  Scroll for updates.

FBI statement: Allegations against Megahed and Mohamed "may be proven false"

Not sure what to make of this.  Maybe the FBI is being overly cautious or it could just be a standard reminder.  Here is the statement (From The Post and Courier, Charleston):

The FBI advised that due to the preliminary nature of the allegations against the students, the circumstances of the situation are not clear at this time. The FBI understands the allegations have raised some serious questions and shares the concerns of the public and media. Therefore, although the FBI cannot currently comment in any detail about the ongoing investigation, the FBI can confirm a few preliminary facts:

The Tampa FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force is closely working and coordinating this matter with local, county, state, and federal agencies. The FBI and our law enforcement counterparts are conducting a thorough and professional investigation to determine the validity of the allegations. To date, law enforcement officials have conducted numerous interviews, record checks, authorized searches, and other investigative steps which have resulted in the development of information which must be analyzed and logically pursued.

The FBI takes its fiduciary duty to our American citizens and our nation very seriously and will insure that the matter is aggressively and accurately investigated. The FBI would like to remind everyone that this is an ongoing investigation and there is the possibility that the publicly reported allegations involving the students may be proven to be false.

Berkeley County Sheriff’s Capt. Rick Ollic said the proper charges were brought and the prosecution is proceeding.

Youssef Megahed, 21, and Ahmed Mohamed, either 24 or 26, are charged with possession of explosives after authorities say they found pipe bombs in the trunk of their car during a traffic stop in Goose Creek. They are being held at the Berkeley County Detention Center on $300,000 bail for Megahed and $500,000 for Mohamed.

This article refers to "the two Egyptian men", however a previous report stated Mohamed is originally from Kuwait:

Mohamed is originally from Kuwait and completed his undergrad education in Cairo, according to the Tampa newspaper. He has been at USF since January and was registered for six hours during summer session, the spokesman told the paper.

Megahed, originally from Egpyt, has been enrolled at USF since 2004 and had not declared a major. He was registered for three hours this fall, according to the newspaper.

Yes, the "publicly reported allegations" could prove to be false, but there's still the matter of the pipe bomb.  Also, a reminder of the connection between the two men and Sameeh Hammoudeh, a co-defendant in Sami Al-Arian's trial.  (Hammoudeh, who had been convicted of tax fraud, was acquitted of terrorism related charges.  Immigration officials did not agree with the verdict and he was to be deported but was allowed to leave the country voluntarily.  He returned to the West Bank.)

Khalil Gibran International Academy Principal resigns

Dhabah "Debbie" Almontaser, principal of the controversial Khalil Gibran International Academy resigned today.  Almontaser was under fire for a stupid comment she made regarding the "Intifada NYC" T-shirt". 

A story in the New York Post indicates things aren't quite working out as planned for Ms. Almontaser and her Arabic school:

August 10, 2007 -- The controversial Khalil Gibran International Academy scheduled to open next month has attracted only a handful of Arabic-speaking students, The Post has learned.

Just six Arabic speakers and one English-language learner out of 44 registered students have enrolled at the Brooklyn public academy that critics fear will become a city-funded Islamic school.

[...]

The English-Arabic school was envisioned by Principal Debbie Almontaser as a multicultural institution serving grades 6-12 for native Arabic speakers and students wanting to learn the language. Students would become fluent in both languages while immersed in Arab culture and history under her plan.

[...]

Almontaser came under fire this week for her comments to The Post that appeared to condone "Intifada NYC" T-shirts.

The shirts are sold by the activist group Arab Women Active in Arts and Media that operates out of the same office as a Yemeni-American association that Almontaser represents.

Rather than denounce the shirts, Almontaser tried to explain that "intifada" means "shaking off" and the shirts represented women "shaking off" oppression. She later condemned the T-shirt message's connection to Palestinian terrorism.

[...]

Other parts of Almontaser's vision for her school aren't going according to plan, either.

The DOE denied her request to serve "halal" meals sanctioned by Islamic law in the school's cafeteria. It said the school would be treated like any other public school.

Students wanting the meals permissible under Islamic law can bring them from home, Meyer said.

The DOE also said retired Arabic-speaking community members whom Almontaser wants to converse with students during lunch periods will first have to go through a background check.

Almontaser did not return a call for comment.

Now today Mayor Michael Bloomberg accepted her resignation.  With any luck the closing of the school itself won't be far behind.  The Stop the Madrassa Community Coalition is calling on Mayor Bloomberg to stop the opening of the school.  Spokeswoman Pam Hall had this to say upon learning of Almontaser's resignation:

“Dhabah Almontaser’s resignation is an implicit admission of what we at the Coalition have maintained all along: Her ideological agenda of using taxpayer-financing to promote Islamism disqualified her from having anything to do with a public school. Under present circumstances, however, the only way the so-called Khalil Gibran International Academy could open this September would be to rely upon Ms. Almontaser’s appalling and reprehensible decisions, her judgments and, yes, her political agenda. So this school must not open.”

Today's New York Post editorial, What's Arabic for 'Shut it Down'?  concludes:

The Khalil Gibran International Academy was a bad idea to begin with. Public education is supposed to be about pluralism, not separatism. This week's problems - one of them cause for major concern - suggest that the Department of Education would do well to deep-six the school before things get worse.