Vol. 80/No. 34 September 12, 2016
Miami forum: ‘Oppose attacks on Muslims, mosques’
“Many of those immigrating to the United States,” Saeed said, “come here because of the U.S. tradition of freedom of worship and separation of church and state. These rights must be defended by all, regardless of religious differences.”
The Baitul Naseer mosque is affiliated to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, which has spoken out against attacks on Muslims and mosques and denounced the terrorism of anti-working-class groups like Islamic State. The mosque sponsored a broad public meeting last December to condemn the killing of 14 people in San Bernardino, California, by two self-proclaimed supporters of IS.
“Working people need to speak out against anti-Islamic attacks and fight for the prosecution of those responsible for the killings in New York,” Jaquith said. “These attacks stem from a sustained anti-Muslim campaign, as Washington has stepped up its military intervention in the Middle East to try to protect its profits and its crumbling world order.”
The anti-Islamic rhetoric of both the Democratic and Republican parties is aimed at justifying that intervention and increased encroachments on the rights of all working people, not just Muslims, she said.
Jaquith described a number of recent attacks against Muslims and mosques in Florida and urged participants to join the fight against the violence and prejudice whipped up by the rulers.
Following the June 12 terrorist assault at the popular gay nightclub Pulse in Orlando by Islamic State supporter Omar Mateen that left 49 dead and 53 wounded, the nearby Fort Pierce Islamic Center began getting threats, Jaquith said. Mateen had attended services at the mosque. The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office rejected requests for police protection until July 2, when a worshipper leaving the center was attacked and beaten.
A string of arson fires at Islamic facilities began in Tampa in July, she said. An Aug. 5 blaze caused $25,000 in damages to the Masjid Omar mosque.
Boca Raton Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher, a Democrat, informed the media July 8 that she was removing the Islamic Center as a polling place for the November elections, Jaquith reported. Bucher said she acted in response to complaints received about using a mosque as a voting location.
Related articles:
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Protests denounce French anti-Muslim ‘burkini ban’
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