Speak Out ... Going elsewhere
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While walking at Lagarde Park a while back I was stopped by two of Anniston’s finest and was questioned as to what I was doing there. My van was searched. Naturally nothing was wrong with me or my van. This happened on two occasions. I decided to walk elsewhere. I went to Woodland Park and started walking there. On Sept. 14 at 4 p.m. I was walking on the northern portion of the park about 75 feet off the paved walking path. A city vehicle, driven by a city employee, drove up and informed me that ‘nobody’ is allowed here (city park — walking path?) I now will walk (and buy) in Oxford. I doubt very seriously that Mayor Leon Smith will allow me to be run off, at least not multiple times. Now that the Anniston city fathers, cops and civil employees don’t have to worry about me walking in their city parks and public areas, they can devote their time to watching the City Council argue and in-fight. David J. McClellan Preserving historyThis is an answer to Mr. Hinton for bashing Commissioner Eli Henderson because of many, many monuments he has erected in the years he has been on the Calhoun County Commission.The Janney Furnace was almost demolished because of war 147 years ago. Someone did save the sign of the store or place where the trouble-making Yankee riders had their problem. Would Mr. Hinton like to erect the sign or place an historical sign in this place? I am sure Eli would be happy to do so and I would, as would many others, volunteer to help. Eli lives a short distance from the bus burning and is not a race basher in any form. Why not ask Eli and some volunteers to erect something where this incident occurred? I think he would be happy to do so.
Howard E. Norton Tragedy of Sept. 11The tragic event of Sept. 11 has been a turning point for many people, including the Muslims in the U.S. Many of us in the Muslim community believe we have been victimized twice, once by the people who committed such a heinous crime, and again by the people considering the Muslim faith responsible for such terrible acts.It is imperative to understand the fact that Islam will never condone killing the innocent and considers such a crime as an act against humanity. There are many verses in the Quran that give clear indication about the importance of respecting human life and are considered sacred. According to the Islamic rule, taking a human life is invoking God’s right. As a matter of fact, in Islam, even killing a human by accident requires of the person who commits the act to ask for God’s forgiveness, apologize and give compensation to the victim’s family, and fast from sunrise to sunset for two consecutive months. Basic human rights such as freedom, security, speech, and the freedom of religion, which are considered the basic values for all of us Americans, are strongly embraced by Islamic teaching and considered Islamic principles. It is sad to see Islam being stereotyped by the media and by certain groups of politicians with the terrorism and fascism. However, we as Muslims need to blame ourselves for allowing a terrorist group to hijack our religion for a political agenda serving no good cause for the Muslim people. In many countries around the world, Muslims have been paying dearly for the misunderstanding of the religion by many groups within the Islamic religion and outside the faith. It is time to realize we need to understand each other and give the chance to the civilized people to interact and exchange views. Hate, stereotypes, racism and other negative views should be condemned. The Bible says “You reap what you sow.” Lets’s practice what we believe and may God bless all those who love peace.
Safaa Al-Hamdani |
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