Category / Islam

"He (Pope Francis) knew from at least June 23, 2013 that McCarrick was a serial predator," wrote Vigano," adding "he knew that he was a corrupt man, he covered for him to the bitter end."
by Crimson Tazvinzwa

Forgiveness, compassion in the age of hate, outrage and President Trump

Protesters march against Trump administration immigration policies in New York City, February 2017. (Reuters photo: Stephanie Keith)
Protesters march against Trump administration immigration policies in New York City, February 2017. (Reuters photo: Stephanie Keith)

Intentional Faith’s Pastor Hogg’s letter to a follower – AIWA! NO!

I don’t know whether it’s that I’m simply getting older or the world is really an angrier place.

When I use that phrase—“the world”—I’m thinking primarily of the online space in which many of us sort of live and kind of move and have at least a portion of our being. Sure, there are links and blog posts and poems and stories to be found where the syncopation of grief and gladness are a truly magnificent thing. But on the whole, the social media score is one of outrage, an out-of-control violence via words.

”
What is happening to our country, and our universities? It sometimes seems that everything is coming apart. To understand why, I have found it helpful to think about an idea from cosmology called “the fine-tuned universe.” There are around 20 fundamental constants in physics — things like the speed of light, Newton’s gravitational constant, and the charge of an electron. In the weird world of cosmology, these are constants throughout our universe, but it is thought that some of them could be set to different values in other universes. As physicists have begun to understand our universe, they have noticed that many of these physical constants seem to be set just right to allow matter to condense and life to get started.”

JONATHAN HAIDT

And again, it may be that I’m simply getting older, but who in his right mind wants to listen to that? I remember several years ago a phrase that was making the rounds: “compassion fatigue.”

Compassion Fatigue is a state experienced by those helping people or animals in distress; it is an extreme state of tension and preoccupation with the suffering of those being helped to the degree that it can create a secondary traumatic stress for the helper

It was during that time when everybody and his grandma were advocating for a cause, all legitimately good. But the pleas were so numerous and, honestly, at times overwhelming that it wore folks out.

Forgiveness in the Age of Rage

Normally good-hearted, uber-compassionate people sighed and said, “Too much. I need a break.” People backed off, and a number of organizations floundered for a while.

In a not-exactly-but-somewhat-similar way, that’s what I currently feel in my aging bones. I’ve got outrage fatigue. I need a break. Truth be told, I think we all do.

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YouTube JESSE LEE PETERSON: TRUMP A WHITE SAVIOUR FOR BLACK COMMUNITY
by Crimson Tazvinzwa

‘MUSLIMS TREATED BETTER THAN CHRISTIANS, WHITE PEOPLE’: RIGHT-WING RADIO HOST WARNS ‘ANGRY WHITES’ MAY COPY NEW ZEALAND ATTACK

Broken America | Jesse Lee Peterson and Stefan Molyneux

BY BENJAMIN FEARNOW//Right Wing Radio Host Says ‘Muslims Are Treated Better Than Christians And White People’ In America.

Right-wing radio host Jesse Lee Peterson claimed Muslims in America are “treated better” than white people as he expressed concern that repressed white Americans may be incited to carry out an attack in the U.S. similar to the recent massacre in Christchurch, New Zealand, that left at least 50 dead.

Peterson said during his Friday radio show that “white people are getting angry rather than speaking up prior to anger” because “normal whites” and Christians are treated more poorly in the U.S. than Muslims are.

The controversial pro–Donald Trump host rejected the labeling of suspected Christchurch mosque shooter as a “white supremacist,” claiming he doesn’t understand the news media’s definition. Peterson warned listeners not to support politicians, including Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar, because “if white people get angry, this is what’s going to happen” in the United States. 

Peterson, who is black, claimed on his national show he doesn’t “really know what it means” for someone to be a white supremacist in New Zealand and derided the term.

“But I know here in this country, the antifa people are protected,” he said, referring to anti-fascist militant groups. “And they are more violent and terrorist than normal whites. But the normal whites are called ‘white supremacy’ while the radical, antifa whites are being protected” by the Democratic Party and news media. 

Peterson went on to justify his claim that Muslims in America are treated better than white people by pointing to the 2018 election of Minnesota Democrat Omar and Michigan Representative Rashida Tlaib, the nation’s first two Muslim congresswomen. 

“In this country, the Muslims are treated better than the Christians and white people,” Peterson continued. “We just saw where they allow two Muslims to become congressmen [sic] in our government, and that is not good. Those two women hate Israel, and they hate America.” 

Right-wing radio host Jesse Lee Peterson recently claimed on his show he doesn't "really know what it means" for someone to be a white supremacist in New Zealand.GETTY IMAGES PHILLIP FARAONE/STRINGER
Right-wing radio host Jesse Lee Peterson recently claimed on his show he doesn’t “really know what it means” for someone to be a white supremacist in New Zealand.GETTY IMAGES PHILLIP FARAONE/STRINGER

Both Tlaib and Omar expressed their sadness and shock with the news last Friday of the New Zealand massacre. Tlaib issued a statement saying, “This morning I tried to hold back tears as I hugged my two brown, Muslim boys a little tighter and longer. I am so angry at those who follow the ‘white supremacy’ agenda in my own country that sends a signal across the world that massacres like this is some kind of call to action.”

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Peterson gave some advice to angry white people who may be considering mimicking the New Zealand mosque shooting: “You’ve got to start standing up before you get your anger out of control in this country.”

On Sunday morning, Peterson tweeted a headline from the right-wing New American magazine to his nearly 55,000 followers: “Christchurch Shooter Praises Communist China, Condemns Conservatism and Capitalism: Media Call Him a Trump Supporter.” The right-wing minister is only one of dozens of high-profile conservatives defending Trump and his rhetoric against accusations he influenced the New Zealand shooter.

Last year, Peterson claimed there wasn’t one thing he could think of that black people went into and “made better.” And a white producer of his show proclaimed on the air that the n-word is not racist. 

SKY New Zealand is a satellite and cable provider, and not part of the more famous Sky News, owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. That is an important distinction to note, because SKY has taken Sky News Australia off the air in the country over their coverage of the massacre at two mosques in Christchurch.
by Crimson Tazvinzwa

Sky News taken off the air in New Zealand over Christchurch terror coverage

The Christchurch mosque shootings were two consecutive terrorist mass shootings at Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand, during Friday prayers on 15 March 2019. The attacks killed 50 people and injured at least 50. The alleged perpetrator was arrested and charged with murder.
The Christchurch mosque shootings were two consecutive terrorist mass shootings at Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand, during Friday prayers on 15 March 2019. The attacks killed 50 people and injured at least 50. The alleged perpetrator was arrested and charged with murder.

Both the integrity of the investigation and the distress among viewers were cited – AIWA! NO!

Members of a New Zealand biker gang have performed the haka to honour the victims of the mass shootings in Christchurch. Before doing so, the gang’s spokesperson thanked the New Zealand police for their work. Mosques in New Zealand have been inundated with floral tributes and messages of support after the massacre, in which 50 people were killed

SKY New Zealand is a satellite and cable provider, and not part of the more famous Sky News, owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. That is an important distinction to note, because SKY has taken Sky News Australia off the air in the country over their coverage of the massacre at two mosques in Christchurch.

SKY tweeted about the reason for their decision on Friday.

The controversy was over Sky News Australia replaying footage from the infamous video streamed by the murderer during the rampage.

New Zealand police advised people not to show the footage in a tweet sent on Thursday. “Police are aware there is extremely distressing footage relating to the incident in Christchurch circulating online,” it read. We would strongly urge that the link not be shared. We are working to have any footage removed.”

Nevertheless, News Corp’s Sky News Australia continued showing the footage, which prompted the pulling of the plug.

The above tweet from SKY New Zealand was deleted on Saturday and replaced with a more specific explanation.

A spokesperson for SKY told the New Zealand Herald that the decision was made on behalf of their viewers and the people of New Zealand.

“We made the decision to remove Sky News Australia from our platform while disturbing footage of the shootings was being shown to avoid causing any distress to our viewers,” the spokesperson said. “It will remain off air until we are confident the footage won’t be shared.”

Later, more emphasis was place on the integrity of the investigation, and credited Sky News Australia for prompt cooperation, in a statement to Buzzfeed. 

“As the live rolling events of the Christchurch shooting unfolded, an editorial decision was made by Sky News Australia to offer sports programming to SKY NZ in place of Sky News Australia’s live feed to ensure any footage or reporting did not compromise the ongoing investigations taking place in New Zealand,” they said. “Sky News Australia acted responsibly and prudently in replacing the service as soon as it was able to early yesterday evening after consulting with SKY NZ management.”

A bit of a story shift over the course of a day or so, in that they removed and replaced their tweet, and their spokespeople offered two different explanations for the basis of the decision, as well as who actually made the decision.

“The Greater Pittsburgh Jewish community was shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific Islamophobic attack in Christchurch, New Zealand, yesterday resulting in the senseless murder of at least 49 people,” the group said in the statement. “We stand in solidarity with the Muslim community in Christchurch, in Pittsburgh, and around the world.”
by Crimson Tazvinzwa

Pittsburgh Jewish group raising money for New Zealand’s Muslim community in wake of mosque shootings

Truthdig Pittsburgh Jewish Group Upbraids Trump in Powerful Letter
TruthdigPittsburgh Jewish Group Upbraids Trump in Powerful Letter

Pittsburgh Jewish Group Upbraids Trump in Powerful Letter – AIWA! NO!

A Pittsburgh Jewish group is raising money for the Muslim community in New Zealand after a terror attack that targeted two mosques in Christchurch on Friday and left at least 49 people dead.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh said in a statement on Friday that it will be accepting donations “to help the Muslim community of Christchurch, New Zealand.”

“The Greater Pittsburgh Jewish community was shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific Islamophobic attack in Christchurch, New Zealand, yesterday resulting in the senseless murder of at least 49 people,” the group said in the statement. “We stand in solidarity with the Muslim community in Christchurch, in Pittsburgh, and around the world.” 


“Our Jewish community is not the only group you have targeted,” they continue. “… You have also deliberately undermined the safety of people of color, Muslims, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities. Yesterday’s massacre is not the first act of terror you incited against a minority group in our country.”

Pittsburgh Jewish Group

The effort comes months after at least 11 people were killed and several others injured after a gunman opened fire at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh in October. According to the Anti-Defamation League, the shooting is believed to be the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history.

British Man goes viral after standing outside his local mosque to 'keep watch' while Muslim worshippers pray
Man goes viral after standing outside his local mosque to ‘keep watch’ while Muslim worshippers pray

At the time, Muslim groups came forward to raise money for the victims of the synagogue shooting.

“Unfortunately we are all too familiar with the devastating effect a mass shooting has on a faith community,” Meryl Ainsman, chair of the board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, said.

“We are filled with grief over this senseless act of hate. May those who were injured heal quickly and fully, and may the memories of the victims forever be a blessing,” she continued. 

Other Jewish leaders in Pittsburgh have also come forward after the terror attack on Friday in efforts to repay the acts of kindness received from the Muslim community last year.

Brian Schreiber, president of the Jewish Community Center, told a local CBS station on Friday that “our responsibility as the Islamic Community was here for us in our time of need is to be right back to be in their time of need to support.”

“It also means we need to be sharing with them at the Islamic Center our grief and our feeling of our support for them so they don’t feel alone in that journey,” he added.

"There are two ways you can respond to an attack like this - you can respond with fear or you can respond with friendship," he said.
by Crimson Tazvinzwa

British Christian man goes viral after standing outside his local mosque to ‘keep watch’ while Muslim worshippers pray

Man goes viral after standing outside his local mosque to 'keep watch' while Muslim worshippers pray
© Twitter

“There are two ways you can respond to an attack like this – you can respond with fear or you can respond with friendship,”
Andrew Graystone – AIWA! NO!

A man from England is being praised online after he stood outside his local mosque holding a sign saying he will “keep watch” while Muslim worshippers pray after a terror attack that targeted two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand on Friday left at least 49 people dead.

Andrew Graystone can be seen in a photo holding a sign saying, “You are my friends. I will keep watch while you pray,” while standing outside of the Medina Mosque in Manchester. 

Image result for madina mosque manchester
Manchester Central Mosque – digital

Graystone told the BBC on Saturday that Muslims attending the mosque “beamed” after seeing his gesture.

What a beautiful gesture outside a Mosque in Manchester today! ❤️#Christchurch #NewZealand pic.twitter.com/R2uMkKijkJ— Zia Salik (@Zia_Salik) March 15, 2019

“There are two ways you can respond to an attack like this – you can respond with fear or you can respond with friendship,” he said.

Graystone told the international news agency that he chose to stand outside of his local mosque because he “wanted to make sure that people know we can respond with friendship”.

“As people walked up, you could see in their eyes that they were looking at somebody standing outside their mosque, thinking ‘Oh no, is this some kind of protest or whatever,’” he said. 

“And then when they saw the message saying ‘You are my friend’, their faces broke and they beamed and smiled,” he continued. 

Graystone, who runs a Christian charity, told the outlet that he was surprised by the overwhelming amount of support he received on Twitter for the act of kindness.

“I hadn’t intended for anybody other than the people at Medina Mosque to know about this,” he told the BBC.

“But I guess there are little things that lots of people can do to just express friendship rather than fear with Muslim friends, and neighbors and colleagues – so I just took one little action,” he added.