This is just the latest in a long line of unfortunate incidents that have created misunderstanding, leading to negative perceptions of Islam. |
We are getting a little tired of this kind of Kafkaesque treatment of people, where vague allegations are made and actions are taken against individuals and organizations, |
We don't agree that there is widespread literature of that kind in mosques in America. |
We had another report of a Sikh man being pulled off a train, I think between here and New York, just because of his looks, |
We have expressed the Muslim community's concerns about a variety of images of the Prophet Mohammed, whether it be in textbooks, editorial cartoons or even in the Supreme Court. |
We know how to deal with these things in a positive way. We're opening an education campaign on the life and legacy of the Prophet Muhammad. |
We tend to see the number of bias incidents go in cycles in large part tied to international events. It has leveled off since 9/11, but unfortunately at a higher level than prior to 9/11. |
We want to discuss the implications and impact of the caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed and try to come up with initiatives to help calm the situation. |
[The data also showed that crimes against Muslims have leveled off since a spike following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.] We tend to see the number of bias incidents go in cycles in large part tied to international events, ... It has leveled off since 9/11, but unfortunately at a higher level than prior to 9/11. |
[The Pentagon] decided to end whatever efforts they had because they said they hadn't found any evidence that military personnel were involved -- even though if you went to the site, somebody sent me one of the images where the person's name and unit were clearly indicated in the photograph, ... All we can do is bring these things to the attention of the Pentagon; we can't force them to do it. If they want to drop it at that point without having really gone into it, then that's their choice. We stated at the time that we thought it was premature. There couldn't possibly have been a full investigation in the time that was allotted and it was sending a negative message. |