Back in March I wrote about some Waukesha County residents’ opposition to a proposed Brookfield, Wisconsin mosque and my concerns over misinformation and fear-mongering. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt and not jump to hasty conclusions, but that’s not easy to do when they say things that make it nearly impossible. My hope was that after the meeting at which Islamic Society of Milwaukee President Ahmad Quereshi invited those with concerns or questions to tour the Islamic Society in Milwaukee, people would take him up on his offer. But my hopes have been dashed after reading today’s report by Rory Linnane of the Brookfield Patch.
According to Linnane, 200 people attended an anti-Islam rally in my neighborhood last night. The event was held at the Waukesha Expo Center, sponsored by VCY Radio, and featured Walid Sheobat.
From the Brookfield Patch article:
Shoebat, who says he is an ex-terrorist, has been confronted about his past by media outlets like CNN, who reported they could find no evidence to support his background story. But he stood by his case Saturday, saying the media were the real frauds.
Despite a lack of legitimate evidence to support Shoebot’s claims, some Waukesha County residents bought his message.
Brookfield residents Chuck and Sharon Bloom left the rally Saturday with a plastic bag full of books sold by VCY America, a Christian radio station that sponsored the event. The couple was hoping to learn more about Islam and to build a case against the proposed mosque.
“More than just me and my wife, the community needs to be informed,” Chuck Bloom said. “I think it’s important to find out exactly what questions we need to ask to make sure there’s no sharia law, etcetera.”
Say what? Sharia law? Really?
Unfortunately, yes.
Sharia law was the buzz phrase of the evening, especially surrounding the mosque. Shoebat said while he supports freedom of religion, Islam as an institution stretches beyond religious practice with sharia law. Sharia guides all aspects of Muslim life including daily routines, familial and religious obligations, and financial dealings, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.
“It’s not the mosque I have a problem with,” Shoebat said, making no specific reference to the Brookfield proposal. “It’s, where is the funding coming from, and will the mosque sign and swear that they will never be sharia?”
Even though the invited Brookfield Mayor and alderman did not show up, I’m happy to read that they do not appear to have the same fear of sharia law taking over Brookfield, Wisconsin. At least there’s that.
Brookfield Mayor Steven Ponto and Alderman Scott Berg have both previously stated they do not think the religion of Islam should be considered in deciding whether to grant the Islamic Society of Milwaukee the permit they need to build their proposed mosque for land northeast of the intersection of Calhoun Road and North Avenue.
But it seems more than a few area residents do not share the city leaders’ rational viewpoints.
Brookfield resident Robin Couillard said she found out about the proposed mosque for the first time at the event. She said she was especially concerned about Shoebat’s remark that a mosque is like an embassy for Islam and sharia law.
“I’m just shocked that this is being proposed for Brookfield,” she said. “I’m concerned about Islam overtaking our community, and our country, and the world.”
I especially found a local pastor’s thoughts to be disconcerting.
David Ball, a pastor from New Berlin, said he came “to find out if the message about what Islam really is is getting out properly.”
“I hold freedom of religion very dear, but Islam is not just a religion; it is also a state government system, completely contrary to our system of government,” Ball said. “Our Constitution should not be subverted to sharia law.”
There’s an upcoming public information hearing on May 2nd at 5 p.m. in the public safety building courtroom at 2100 N. Calhoun Road, Brookfield. Hopefully, the information provided at that hearing will be factual, and Waukesha County residents will take a deep breath, step back, and realize what’s going on here…
I seem to recall the Vatican supported the anti-Bolshevik policies of the Third Reich. How Christian, eh Al.
I have many Muslims friends and none are anti-America.
Regarding Islam’s intent — really — you want to go there? I could go to the Bible right now and find all sorts of sections similar to the ones you mention from the Koran.
Regarding Jesus. How do we know for sure what he said? Everything about him was written by priests who had substantial self-interest. And of course they too were responsible for the more reprehensible parts of the Bible to keep people in line.
And let’s not forget the Spanish Inquisition (just to name one, there were many more scourges) and the decimation of South American peoples all in the name of Christianity.
You should perhaps learn a bit more about tolerance, Al.
Other side, still have you head in the sand. You did not give one point to counter mine. Vatican? The inquisition? So a total of about 50 years between the 2 examples you gave both at different points in history. WOW, good job. This kind of thing has been going on with muslims for 1500 years in all the islamic world! You really should read the Hadith and Koran before you speak about the Bible, clearly you nothing about any of them thus making your comments ignorant. If you follow Jesus vs. Mohamed there is a difference. “How do we know what he said?” Really?? Read the gospels, even if he didnt say it, the message is one of peace and love, how is that bad? Mohameds message is one of war, and murder and enslavement. Dont take my word, look it up! You have a computer to write you ignorant talking points, so look something up in beetween. Learn something before you speak about them, it just ignorance. Myself? Ive read them all and spent MANY years in the mid-east. If seen first hand how Islamic culture even in modern countries deals with women, kids and other faiths. Its sick.
It’s sad you’re so angry, Al.
Thanks for the tirade. Maybe avoid the name-calling next time. Then I might engage you more.
Btw: I have read everything you mentioned and probably understand it better than you. But if you want to hate, won’t stop you. Bye.
(*laughing*) Good one, Jan.
“And. . .today’s ‘Glenn Beck Award’ goes to. . . .Denis (“Honest, there IS a relevant connection between what Mohamed may or may not have actually done 1500 years ago and the need to keep mosque out of Brookfield”) Navratillllll.”
Accepting for Ms. Navratilova, who could not be with us today. . .David Barton, Pat Robertson, Archbishop Bernard Law (on behalf of all pedophilic Catholic priests everywhere who were historically protected by the Catholic Church from exposure and prosecution) and Bill Donahue (chief, “it was just inappropriate touching”, apologist for the Catholic Church).
I am very sad. My granddaughter since age 11 has been tormented and brainwashed by her mother who married a muslim man in Michigan. She has my granddaughter now 13 wearing clothing and has her fully convinced that ISLAM is it. She is trying to take my granddaughter to Michigan away from all the family she has here.She married this man to SUPPORT her. I would like to speak to you Al directly. Please respond to my e-mail. I believe ISLAM is a cult and sharia law will be in US within 20 years.