Muslim America moves away from the minaret
In post 9/11 America the construction of new mosques in the US has sometimes sparked controversy and even confrontation. Is that why some new Muslim houses of worship are being built without the most recognisable features of Islamic architecture – minarets and domes?
The National Islamic Center in Washington DC is an imposing building with a towering minaret. One of America’s iconic mosques, it is surrounded by the flags of the Islamic countries which helped pay for its construction in the 1950s.
Its design was influenced by classical and traditional architecture in Egypt. Akbar Ahmed, a professor of Islamic Studies at American University in Washington DC and one of the world’s leading experts on contemporary Islam, says it would be impossible to build such a national mosque today because of the controversy it would arouse.
“It’s a bad time for Islamic architecture,” says Mr Ahmed, former Pakistani ambassador to the UK.
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If "they" want to build their mosques, they should build them in a muslim country.
-David in MATry to build a Christian Church in a muslim country and risk your life…..
Freedom of religion is one thing, a national government religion is something altogether different.
Like ancient Rome, defy the church and go to hell, defy the government and die……
Islam is like that!
And, Islam is not compatable with a Constitutional Republic like America.
Stop muslim immigration and deport all muslims, or America is lost!
The do build them in their Muslim countries and their plans are that this will be the next Muslim country. That is why or at least a huge reason they are building them here.Will be the last country who is not Muslim or Muslim influenced?
-MyrtlelinderThis is the new tactic to infiltrating the US market you could say.. Here is more about it from a form Muslim terrorist. http://www.jewishvoice.org/site/PageServer?pagena…
-decarlisleAmerica is the land of the free and the home of the brave. It is also a nation of ultra-religious adversities and the Muslims are accepted through Jesus Christ if they ask Him for forgiveness but its sad that they worship a god that cannot cure their pains or forgive their sins. Pray for these Muslims who are searching and reach out to them in love and forgiveness and kindness. We will never win them through vulgarity hatred and such vise that is common to the man.
-MartinYou are correct….We will never win them
-Jerry MWe're terrified of them Moslems! There's hundreds of them, and they're everywhere. Take away our freedom, our fortunes, and our sacred honor: just keep them out of our country. Then, when they're gone, we can go back to being "the land of the free and home of the brave." Assuming the Department of Homeland Security says we can, of course.
-SteveNot hundreds, thousands of them, swarming around!!!
-MyrtlelinderThen we're doomed. They outnumber us already!
-SteveABOUT THE AUTHOR
The Rev. Michael J. Seavey is a priest with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland.
Beginning in the 1820s, large numbers of Irish and German immigrants (mostly Catholic) began to pour into the United States. Anti-immigration opposition, labeled as "nativism," began to rise out of fear that these poor laborers would take jobs meant for native born Americans. Many believed that immigrants were exhausting charitable and welfare budgets.
A larger number of nativists were also convinced of a wider conspiracy that the Roman Catholic hierarchy was determined to undermine American values of freedom, democracy and religious liberty.
Increasing nativist influence and political power made waves in the American public sphere throughout the 19th Century. One result was the formation of a nativist political party called The American Party. Also referred to as "The Know Nothings," due to their policy of saying "I know nothing" when asked about their group or its plans, their impact was felt both nationally and locally in Maine.
If any of these 19th century events sound similar to those currently under way, please read on. If building a mosque near "Ground Zero" seems like a desecration to sacred ground, consider the following parallel from 19th century American history.
In 1832, on the occasion of George Washington's 100th birthday, a group of citizens organized a commission to construct the Washington Monument in the nation's capital.
Private donations financed construction, but Congress stepped in with a $200,000 donation in 1854 when private funds dried up.
Around that same time, foreign governments were invited to donate a marble block with their own message of congratulations. But when Pope Pius IX made such a donation on behalf of The Papal States, the "Know Nothings" sprang into action. They rigged elections to the Washington Monument Commission, packing it with their members. They proceeded to remove the papal marble block and reportedly threw it into the Potomac River.
Congress immediately rescinded its appropriation and work on the monument was halted, not to begin again until well after the Civil War. The Washington Monument was finally dedicated in 1882 and the papal marble block was replaced in 1982.
But nativists did not limit their activities to politics. Throughout the 19th century, Catholic churches were burned or vandalized in Maine communities, such as Lewiston, Bangor and Bath. When the Roman Catholic bishop wanted to build the Cathedral Church in the mid-1800s, Portland city officials refused permission to build it fronting on Congress Street. They were opposed to giving a Catholic cathedral a place of prominence on the city's main thoroughfare.
Bishop David Bacon ultimately built the Cathedral facing Cumberland Avenue.
-davesMuslims should remember what they preach they want freedom and tolerance Yet when in their home countries they will KILL you if you speak out or worship or try to build anything other than a mosque. Becareful muslims you will be treated as you treat others.
God Bless America
-linnieour values and our homeland