Arab International Festival in Dearborn is canceled in wake of religious tensions

[marmar]

from the Freep:


After growing religious tensions between some Christians and Muslims, the annual Arab International Festival in Dearborn has been canceled for this year, organizers said Friday.

The announcement left many disappointed that a small number of aggressive extremists could ruin what had become a tradition in the eastern section of Dearborn, which has a significant number of Arab Americans.

The city and organizers were facing increased insurance and liability costs because of the tensions and lawsuits over the festival. Last month, the City of Dearborn had proposed moving the festival to a park instead of the traditional location on Warren Avenue in order to decrease conflict.

But Fay Baydoun, director of the American-Arab Chamber of Commerce, said Friday that it would have been impossible to organize a successful event in time at the new location. Baydoun said she hopes that next year’s festival will “come back better and stronger.” ..........................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.freep.com/article/20130517/NEWS02/305170101/arab-festival-canceled-dearborn

[Warpy]

1. That's a dirty, rotten shame

Maybe finding an indoor venue with controlled access would help. Haters kept outside and away from the event might be preferable to having uncontrolled access at an outdoor event.

Haters are going to get charged up because of this. It will likely be worse next year because the assholes think they "won" something.

100% of my sympathy goes to Muslim citizens in this one, along with non Muslims like myself who went for the food.