Muslims take to Minnesota State Fair to repair image

[Scuba]

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Online (AP article)

For most fairgoers, the last thing on their mind is religion - particularly the renewed controversy over Islam in America amid tension over plans for an Islamic center and mosque a few blocks from New York City's ground zero. But volunteers with the Minnesota chapter of Islamic Circle of North America saw the mostly white, Christian fair crowd as just the type of audience that might benefit from greater understanding.

Various state-based Muslim groups estimate Minnesota has about 150,000 Muslim residents, and the state has had its share of incidents in recent years. Some Muslim students reported being harassed at schools in St. Cloud and Owatonna, and some anti-Islamic posters were hung around St. Cloud.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MUSLIMS_AT_THE_FAIR?SITE=WIMIL&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

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Especially interesting is the account of one fair-goer who shunned the educational materials, and asked "what are they doing here?". However, when challenged, conceded "You know, I guess we let all the politicians come out here and schmooze, so we might as well let these folks as well".

[vi5]

1. It'spathetic that they should even have to do this...

..or feel they have to do this. What a wretched shell of a country we've become.

[Turborama]

2. + 1,000,000,000,000

Reminds me of Keith's recent Special Comment: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x495848

[mwb970]

3. It sure ain't "America".

How long before it's time to rename the nation to reflect the new reality? Continuing to call it "America" is a travesty. America died years ago.

[Frisbee]

4. It didn't die...

It was MURDERED!

[provis99]

5. it's been called "'murka da bootyful" since Reagan was in office.

The America that the world liked died when FDR did.

[gerenimox]

10. it didn`t die. It has always been like this

Native Americans, Blacks, communists, and now the Muslims...

[Chulanowa]

8. That's exactly my first thought

Look at the title. Just fucking look at it!

"At Minnesota State Fair, Muslims hand out information in effort to repair tattered image"

Can you imagine some alternatives?

"At 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Jews hand out information in effort to repair tattered image"

Or how about

"At Flavian Amphitheatre, Christians hand out information in effort to repair tattered image"

At Auto de fé, atheists hand out information in effort to repair tattered image"

Makes my stomach sour just seeing that shit. Or how about...

""You just want people to take the card, spend a minute reading it and say, 'Oh. They're not terrorists,'" said 27-year-old Zuleyha."

Yes, passing out information in the hopes people won't think that you want to kill them, on the basis that you fucking exist.

[primavera]

11. It's amazing testimony to Muslims, though

They're doing the same thing that Christians are taught to do, but never actually do: to turn the other cheek and to answer hatred with compassion, understanding, and tolerance. I keep forgetting, which religion is supposed to be the peace-loving, benevolent one? I looks to me like the Muslims are subscribing to the values Christ taught far more than Christians are these days.

[Solly Mack]

9. I agree

[K8-EEE]

6. But...but...it's only 1000+ miles away from GROUND ZERO!

OBVIOUSLY THEY'RE LAUGHING AT US!

[Lightning Count]

7. Nothing says tolerance like a corn dog? nt