Freedom of Religion and Freedom in Minnesota, and the Muslim Brotherhood
The facts are these:
The Minneapolis St Paul International Airport has been struck by a group of apparently mostly Somali taxi drivers (an excellent job for entry onto the American 'cursus honorum') SOME of whom seem to have decided that allowing normal american (and other) passengers into their cabs, infringes on their religion ..they seem to have received a fatwa...
The fatwa proclaims that "Islamic jurisprudence" prohibits taxi drivers from carrying passengers with alcohol, "because it involves cooperating in sin according to the Islam."
Okay, so don't go the airport, and don't wait near popular bars and nightclubs, right?
But the somalis themselves are both confused and concerned...why?
An animated circle of Somalis gathered when the question of the airport controversy was raised."I was surprised and shocked when I heard it was an issue at the airport," said Faysal Omar. "Back in Somalia, there was never any problem with taking alcohol in a taxi."
Jama Dirie said, "If a driver doesn't pick up everyone, he should get his license canceled and get kicked out of the airport."
Two of the Somalis present defended the idea that Islam prohibits cabdrivers from transporting passengers with alcohol. An argument erupted. The consensus seemed to be that only a small number of Somalis object to transporting alcohol. It's a matter of personal opinion, not Islamic law, several men said.
Ahmed Samatar, a nationally recognized expert on Somali society at Macalester College, confirmed that view. "There is a general Islamic prohibition against drinking," he said, "but carrying alcohol for people in commercial enterprise has never been forbidden. There is no basis in Somali cultural practice or legal tradition for that.
"This is one of those new concoctions."It is being foisted on the Somali community by an inside or outside group," he added. "I do not know who."
So what's the deal with the fatwa?
The fatwa is the MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD. The Hassan Al Banna, Blind Sheikh, Ayman AL Zawalhiri, Sayd Qutb, Muhammad Qutb, Abdullah Azzam, HAMAS, Sheikh Yassin, Ikwhan is LOOKING FOR ISSUES to assert their authority and begin the long process of abrading freedom in the name of submission.
We should be aware that this action is a template, and American processes are designed to respond in a PC fashion, to accommodate the complainant. To emplace rigorous responses to ensure OUR way of life and freedoms, we will have to commit acts to change the nature of these processes which were never designed for a religious assault, purposefully committed to the abrasion of the American value set
Don't miss this , a Chicago Tribune 2004 investigative report on the Muslim Brotherhood in America
From the Minneapolis Start Tribune:
Airport taxi flap about alcohol has deeper significance
The airport taxi controversy may go deeper than the quandary over whether to accommodate Somali Muslim cabdrivers who refuse to carry passengers carrying alcohol. Behind the scenes, a struggle for power and religious authority is apparently playing out.Katherine Kersten, Star Tribune
The taxi controversy at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport has caught the nation's attention. But the dispute may go deeper than the quandary over whether to accommodate Somali Muslim cabdrivers who refuse to carry passengers carrying alcohol. Behind the scenes, a struggle for power and religious authority is apparently playing out.At the Starbucks coffee shop in Minneapolis' Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, a favorite Somali gathering spot, holidaymakers celebrating Eid, the end of Ramadan, filled the tables on Monday. Several taxis were parked outside.
An animated circle of Somalis gathered when the question of the airport controversy was raised.
"I was surprised and shocked when I heard it was an issue at the airport," said Faysal Omar. "Back in Somalia, there was never any problem with taking alcohol in a taxi."
Jama Dirie said, "If a driver doesn't pick up everyone, he should get his license canceled and get kicked out of the airport."
Two of the Somalis present defended the idea that Islam prohibits cabdrivers from transporting passengers with alcohol. An argument erupted. The consensus seemed to be that only a small number of Somalis object to transporting alcohol. It's a matter of personal opinion, not Islamic law, several men said.
Ahmed Samatar, a nationally recognized expert on Somali society at Macalester College, confirmed that view. "There is a general Islamic prohibition against drinking," he said, "but carrying alcohol for people in commercial enterprise has never been forbidden. There is no basis in Somali cultural practice or legal tradition for that.
"This is one of those new concoctions."It is being foisted on the Somali community by an inside or outside group," he added. "I do not know who."
But many Somali drivers at the airport are refusing to carry passengers with alcohol. When I asked Patrick Hogan, Metropolitan Airports Commission spokesman, for his explanation, he forwarded a fatwa, or religious edict, that the MAC had received. The fatwa proclaims that "Islamic jurisprudence" prohibits taxi drivers from carrying passengers with alcohol, "because it involves cooperating in sin according to the Islam."
The fatwa, dated June 6, 2006, was issued by the "fatwa department" of the Muslim American Society, Minnesota chapter, and signed by society officials.
The society is mediating the conflict between the cab drivers and the MAC. That seems odd, since the society itself clearly has a stake in the controversy's outcome.
How did the MAC connect with the society? "The Minnesota Department of Human Rights recommended them to us to help us figure out how to handle this problem," Hogan said.
Omar Jamal, director of the Somali Justice Advocacy Center, thinks he knows why the society is promoting a "no-alcohol-carry" agenda with no basis in Somali culture. "MAS is an Arab group; we Somalis are African, not Arabs," he said. "MAS wants to polarize the world, create two camps. I think they are trying to hijack the Somali community for their Middle East agenda. They look for issues they can capitalize on, like religion, to rally the community around. The majority of Somalis oppose this, but they are vulnerable because of their social and economic situation."
The society
What is the Muslim American Society? In September 2004 the Chicago Tribune published an investigative article. The society was incorporated in 1993, the paper reported, and is the name under which the U.S. branch of the Muslim Brotherhood operates.
The Muslim Brotherhood was founded in Egypt in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna. The Tribune described the Brotherhood as "the world's most influential Islamic fundamentalist group."Because of its hard-line beliefs, the U.S. Brotherhood has been an increasingly divisive force within Islam in America, fueling thesseren bitter struggle between moderate and conservative Muslims," the paper reported.
The international Muslim Brotherhood "preaches that religion and politics cannot be separated and that governments eventually should be Islamic," according to the Tribune. U.S. members emphasize that they follow American laws, but want people here to convert to Islam so that one day a majority will support a society governed by Islamic law.
How are society members to respond when questioned about a Muslim Brotherhood connection? The Tribune cites an undated internal memo: "If asked, 'Are you the Muslim Brothers?' leaders should respond that they are an independent group called the Muslim American Society."
The April 2001 issue of the society's magazine, the American Muslim, lists "essential books" for understanding Islam. They include works by Hassan al-Banna, the Brotherhood's founder, and Sayyid Qutb, one of its most violent theoreticians.
Here's the flavor of these authors' writings:
"Always cherish the intention of jihad and the desire for martyrdom in the Way of Allah, and actually prepare yourself for that," wrote Al-Banna.
Osama bin Laden relied heavily on Qutb in formulating his world view, according to the 9/11 Commission. Qutb had "an enormous loathing of Western society and history," states the commission's report. He taught that "no middle ground exists" in the "struggle between God and Satan." All Muslims must therefore take up arms in this fight, he said.
Hassan Mohamud is vice president of the society's Minnesota chapter. The society is independent and has no connection with the Muslim Brotherhood, he said.
The Minnesota chapter's website, however, states that the organization's roots lie in the Islamic revival movement that "brought the call of Islam to Muslim masses ... to reestablish Islam as a total way of life."
Mohamud says the society has three goals: to present the "real image" of Islam in American society, to preserve the identity of Muslims here and to "make that identity fit without having clashes between cultures and laws."
He emphasizes, however, that Muslims must follow shari'a, or Islamic law, in every aspect of their lives. "There are two conflicting systems here -- two ways of life -- that want to live in the same place and respect each other," he says. The society aims to facilitate conciliation between the two.
Mohamud adds that Americans need to learn about Islamic law because the Muslim population here is growing. That's why the proposed two-tier system for airport cabdrivers is important, he says. It could become a national model for accommodating Islam in areas ranging from housing to contractual arrangements to the workplace.
MAC officials will hold another meeting today about the airport controversy, and Mohamud says he will try to revive the two-tiered pilot project for taxis. Whatever the meeting's outcome, we now have reason to believe that the issue is only a prologue to a larger drama playing out in Minnesota and the United States.
Katherine Kersten • kkersten@startribune.com
Write this gal and tell her what a great job she is doing....
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I'm sure someone can issue a fatwa...Bostom goes on for chapters over this issue
While it is true that alcohol is one of the ten universally acceptted Najis or Unclean things in Islam, so are Kafirs?
So my question is: If transporting alcohol is offensive to their religous sensitivities, should not they also refuse to transport Infidels?
I have sources and further exposition here.
Najis Unclean Things
Sayd Qutb, the heart and soul of Muslim Brotherhood philosphy, and his BROTHER Muhammad, who taught Bin Laden after running away from egypt to the Abul Aziz UNiverity's School of Islamic Studies, are in fact, those who preached violent, racist philosophy in the name of the MB, and as if it's the word of god.
As for denial...if you cannot deny and repudiate the Stone and the Tree, then you believe in racism, and that God is a racist. Since HE must be the author of this, if the Tradition is to be accurate.
I assure you He is not.
The Hadiths such as the Stone and the Tree are racist hate speech, and I believe STRONGLY that one fine day after an incident like the one in Seattle someone is going to sue the mosque where such things are taught, and just like the KKK ( a christian racist organization) and Aryan Nation, another racist christian organization, that mosque will be broken financially, and all on the board of directors, broken financially and the racism
being taught, and the incitement to violence being taught...will result in it's BANNING in the USA..
So if you believe that the traditions like the Stone and the Tree are accurate and must be taught, you are teaching racism, not religion. Hate not godliness and are preaching nothing different from the Klu Klu Klan.
As for Trideni, what on earth is that?
Sayd Qutb does not distort the message of the MB, he IS the message of the MB
sorry, the repeated reply for your post
dear how you wants me to deny things I believe in,and you admitted that you Trideni discussion.
our Islam is not entitled to hatred or violence.
As for the media, I want to tell you that there are people who are carrying out deliberate distortion of the Muslim Brotherhood or without due cause,This will make the case clearly shows Islam Islamophobia.
MB Denies Involvement In The Somali Cab Drivers Controversy
The Muslim Brotherhood (MB) denied completely any involvement in the current dispute caused by a group of Somali Muslim cab drivers at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, U.S.A, who are refusing to pick up drunk passengers or those carrying alcoholic beverages claiming that Islam prohibits them from driving passengers with Alcohol.
Dr. Mohamed Habib, the first Deputy Chairman of the Muslim Brotherhood, affirmed that Muslim Brotherhood has nothing to do whatsoever with what these Muslim cab drivers believe or view mistakenly as religious decree. Dr. Habib described the cabbies' position as “absurd” and added “Muslims must respect and comply with the laws and regulations of the countries they live in and be a good example for their fellow citizens”
Dr. Habib stated that these drivers are free to believe in whatever they think is right or wrong, however, he strongly condemned them for “trying to impose their own personal believes on society” and stated that those drivers must transport passengers anywhere, “those who are refusing to transport certain passengers are indeed breaking the laws and the regulations sanctioned by the local authorities which prohibit discrimination in any form or shape. “These drivers are ought to look for a different type of work which they feel more comfortable with and which can accommodate their own personal believes without causing hardships for others”. The cab drivers had requested that dispatchers exempt them to pick up passengers heading to liquor stores and bars.
Dr. Habib also stated that these cabbies by transporting drunk passengers are indeed protecting society had these passengers driven their own cars and gotten into accidents that might result into the loss of innocent lives.
Meanwhile, Dr. Habib praised the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which regulates taxi service at the airport, for its patience while for two years has been discussing this issue with cab drivers trying to accommodate them. The commission had earlier agreed to let cabbies use lights on top of the cabs to identify drivers who won't transport alcohol so airport employees could direct passengers with alcohol to a willing driver, but later dropped that proposal after many Muslims themselves denounced the cabbies position.
Several organizations and media outlets in the U.S, driven by their own hatred towards the Muslim Brotherhood, have been engaging in a smear campaign and trying disparately to link the Muslim Brotherhood to the current controversy, which the MB has nothing to do with it. These laughable and despicable reports have capitalized on the controversy they helped to create in the first place and frantically panicked about what they called “the Muslim Brotherhood project to islamize the U.S by imposing the Sharia Law on Americans”, which is utterly ridiculous.
The Muslim Brotherhood views and opinions can only be obtained through its official channels and should not be held responsible for other individuals or entities that might try to associate themselves with the group.
The Muslim Brotherhood follows and promotes a moderate interpretation of Islam, and do not condone radical views. In the contrary, the MB has been always a staunch advocate of tolerance and coexistence among Muslims and people of other religions or cultures.
About Ikhwanweb:
IKhwanweb is the Muslim Brotherhood's only official English web site. The Main office is located in London, although Ikhwanweb has correspondents in most countries. Our staff is exclusively made of volunteers and stretched over the five continents.
The Muslim Brotherhood opinions and views can be found under the sections of MB statements and MB opinions, in addition to the Editorial Message.
Items posted under "other views" are usually different from these of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Ikhwanweb does not censor any articles or comments but has the right only to remove any inappropriate words that defy public taste
Ikhwanweb is not a news website, although we report news that matter to the Muslim Brotherhood's cause. Our main misson is to present the Muslim Brotherhood vision right from the source and rebut misonceptions about the movement in western societies. We value debate on the issues and we welcome constructive criticism.
Stupid publicity statements are not EXCHANGES OF INFORMATION.
Moreover, you have denied what has not been asserted here, the "Project". The only mention of the Project in both this post, and the original factual article in the Star Tribune (hardly a font of hate or smear..unless you wish to posit the media is jewish controlled), is by YOU Mr, Mohammed.
The assertion that these are DRUNK passengers is utterly absurd, and a false accusation.
The continuing FACTS are that passengers were queried by drivers as to whether the passengers had alcohol IN THEIR BAGGAGE and were refused admittance to the cabs at that point. The alcohol was probably obtained at duty free shops at departure
Careful observation of this denial in does nothing to deny that.
I am going to leave this public statement for 24 hours. If you wish to exchange LIVE information instead of carefully parsed denials of that which has not been asserted and leave it as a drive by non denial denial.. I will remove your statement.
IF you wish to engage in REAL, calm dialog about this I will be MORE THAN HAPPY to leave your denials.
If you wish to deny something, and be good citizens, then deny the Stone and the Tree and other Hadiths which as hate speech are not only incitement to racist violence, but are taught to children and teenagers at impressionable ages so as to perpetuate Islam's problems in this vein, and the continuing accurate perception of racist traditions among so many people.
Anytime you wish to reject such racism, we woul dbe happy to see it, and would laud you.
Up to you.
We await your response in detail, but doubt one will be forthcoming.
Interesting also is that your comment appears to have originated at an IP in EGYPT...i.e. your comment of denial occured at the exact moment someone from egypt was on the blog.
Interesting
MB Denies Involvement In The Somali Cab Drivers Controversy
Khaled Salam, IKhwanweb - New York, U.S
Friday, October 27, 2006
The Muslim Brotherhood (MB) completely denied any involvement in the current dispute caused by a group of Somali Muslim cab drivers at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, U.S.A, who are refusing to pick up passengers carrying alcoholic beverages claiming that Islam prohibits them from driving passengers with Alcohol.
Dr. Mohamed Habib, the first Deputy Chairman of the Muslim Brotherhood, affirmed that Muslim Brotherhood has nothing to do whatsoever with what these Muslim cab drivers believe or view mistakenly as religious decree. Dr. Habib Said “Muslims must respect and comply with the laws and regulations of the countries they live in and be a good example for their fellow citizens” .
Dr. Habib also stated that these cabbies by transporting drunk passengers are indeed protecting society had these passengers driven their own cars and gotten into accidents that might result into the loss of innocent lives.
Several organizations and media outlets in the U.S, driven by their own hatred towards the Muslim Brotherhood, have been engaging in a smear campaign and trying disparately to link the Muslim Brotherhood to the current controversy, which the MB has nothing to do with. These laughable and despicable reports have capitalized on the controversy they helped to create in the first place and frantically panicked about what they called “the Muslim Brotherhood project to islamize the U.S by imposing the Sharia Law on Americans”, which is utterly ridiculous.
The Muslim Brotherhood views and opinions can only be obtained through its official channels and should not be held responsible for other individuals or entities that might try to associate themselves with the group.
The Muslim Brotherhood follows and promotes a moderate interpretation of Islam, and do not condone radical views. In the contrary, the MB has been always a staunch advocate of tolerance and coexistence among Muslims and people of other religions or cultures.
If the muslim brotherhood wishes to deny anything, it should be the racist hate speech of the items such as the Hadith - Stone and the Tree., taught to muslim children by the time they graduate high school, thus perpetuating religious hatred.
Let me know when you are ready to deny and excoriate such language, it would be a contribution to peace and your way of life. Especially here in america