A mosque in Dayton Ohio was the subject of a chemical attack on the Muslims praying there to celebrate the end of Ramadan, including small children (toddlers and babies) last Friday. This follows the delivery to millions of Ohioans of the anti-Muslim propaganda DVD Obsession by two right wing neoconservative front groups last week.
Funny, but I don’t remember any national news stories on this outrageous assault over the weekend, but I guess it isn’t terrorism when Muslims are the victims. Here’s the local report in the Dayton Daily News
DAYTON — Baboucarr Njie was preparing for his prayer session Friday night, Sept. 26, when he heard children in the Islamic Society of Greater Dayton coughing. Soon, Njie himself was overcome with fits of coughing and, like the rest of those in the building, headed for the doors. […]
Njie was one of several affected when a suspected chemical irritant was sprayed into the mosque at 26 Josie St., bringing Dayton police, fire and hazardous material personnel to the building at 9:48 p.m.
Someone “sprayed an irritant into the mosque,” Dayton fire District Chief Vince Wiley said, noting that fire investigators believe it was a hand-held spray can. […]
The 300 or so inside were celebrating the last 10 days of Ramadan with dinner and a prayer session, but the prayer session was interrupted so those suffering from tearing, coughing and shortness of breath could receive treatment.
Wiley said an adult and juvenile were taken to area hospitals and others had their eyes or faces washed on the scene. He did not know how many people were treated at the scene.
Here’s how one of the people who was there, a mother of two, described the incident in an email delivered to Chris Rodda who wrote about this story for The Huffington Post:
(cont.)
“She told me that the gas was sprayed into the room where the babies and children were being kept while their mothers prayed together their Ramadan prayers. Panicked mothers ran for their babies, crying for their children so they could flee from the gas that was burning their eyes and throats and lungs. She grabbed her youngest in her arms and grabbed the hand of her other daughter, moving with the others to exit the building and the irritating substance there.
“The paramedic said the young one was in shock, and gave her oxygen to help her breathe. The child couldn’t stop sobbing.
“This didn’t happen in some far away place — but right here in Dayton, and to my friends. Many of the Iraqi refugees were praying together at the Mosque Friday evening. People that I know and love.
“I am hurt and angry. I tell her this is not America. She tells me this is not Heaven or Hell — there are good and bad people everywhere.
“She tells me that her daughters slept with her last night, the little one in her arms and sobbing throughout the night. She tells me she is afraid, and will never return to the mosque, and I wonder what kind of country is this where people have to fear attending their place of worship?”
“The children come into the room, and tell me they want to leave America and return to Syria, where they had fled to from Iraq. They say they like me, … , and other American friends — but they are too afraid and want to leave. Should a 6 and 7 year old even have to contemplate the safety of their living situation?
“Did the anti-Muslim video circulating in the area have something to do with this incident, or is that just a bizarre coincidence? Who attacks women and children?
“What am I supposed to say to them? My words can’t keep them safe from what is nothing less than terrorism, American style. Isn’t losing loved ones, their homes, jobs, possessions and homeland enough? Is there no place where they can be safe?
“She didn’t want me to leave her tonight, but it was after midnight, and I needed to get home and write this to my friends. Tell me — tell me — what am I supposed to say to them?”
I wonder how this story would have played in the national media if an antisemetic DVD was sent to millions of Americans by a Fundamentalist Islamic group and then a Jewish synagogue was subjected to a similar attack. Actually, you and I know how that story would have played out: 24/7 coverage on the cable news shows over the weekend. McCain probably would have used it as an opportunity to attack Obama at the debate.
But this is Bush’s America. Home of Republican Jesus. A nation founded upon Christian principles. So, if a few Muslims and their children are the victims of a chemical attack, so be it. They probably had it coming to them for believing in the wrong God. Right?
Well, not in the America I was led to believe in as a kid. That America believed in religious freedom for all faiths and protected the rights of all people. Then again, maybe I was lied to about my country, and it’s many failures to put the ideals it preaches to others in action here in the US of A. It wouldn’t be the first time.
they refused to distribute that racist dvd in the paper, but we got it in the mail. We have one of the largest Arabic populations in the country… and are a swing state.
I was raised Catholic, and in 5th grade had a breakdown that made the nuns call the dreaded Parish Prist.
I said “If God made all of us, and we love him, never heard of Jesus, and just lived good and prayed and stuff, a kid was borne somewhere, and liived good and prayed, God would put her in hell if she died?” I was crying uncontrollably.
The old Polish Priest, known for his intolerance and harsh punishment hugged me, and said “I don’t know, but I hope God thinks like you..”
Honestly…if the shoe were reversed, it would be the Inquistion all over.
When will humans get that religion is a man-made construct to interpret the unknown, but the known is this: Killing eachother is bad.
Who is a terrorist? Anyone who sees anyone as other, and kills them.
We are all related.
This whole situation sickens me, breaks my heart.
It sickens anyone with compassion for other human beings. Sadly, I’m sure it excites some people, and makes others angry that us libruls are making such a big deal of it. 9/11 changed everything, doncha know?
who doesn’t get “we are all related” is sad, and unevolved….
what happens to any of us, happens to us all,
Where is Homeland Security? Where is the FBI?
“Funny, but I don’t remember any national news stories on this outrageous assault over the weekend, but I guess it isn’t terrorism when Muslims are the victims.“
Oh, I knew about it. I have been hearing about it for at least a week. ALL the national Muslim and Arab groups have been talking about it and trying to take some kind of action. CAIR issued at least one press release about it, and I believe they contacted the newspapers that agreed to distribute it. I guess the MSM just were not interested.
And no, of course it is not terrorism when Muslims are victims – except, of course, iff the victims are collaborators and the perpetrators can be labeled Al Kayda.
I am outraged at the attack first and the media silence second. This kind of action has no place at all in the United States which was founded as a refuge for those persecuted by the majority religion whatever it might be.
Perhaps, our religious leaders should go to Dayton and show solidarity to our Muslim brothers and sisters. Perhaps, all minority and majority groups should have representatives there. Perhaps, those DVD’s promulgating hatred should be severely excoriated.
Yes, I would be willing to go to Dayton on such a quest.
The media silence is inexcusable. They owe the Muslim community of Dayton, and of the USA, an immediate apology. Gassing babies and small children, how pathetic can you get? As an American, I am so ashamed.
The Dayton paper is saying that the police have assigned a detective but do not think a hate crime was committed. (or even a crime).