February 22, 2017 The Skanner Page 11
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Texas Minority Leaders Feel Muslims Are Unfairly Targeted
M
uslims
have
lived in Texas
since 1854. They
have established
mosques, schools and
other institutions that
serve the greater com-
munity. Like most res-
idents, they are proud
Texans and Americans,
according to Omar Su-
leiman, who serves as
the Resident Scholar of
the Valley Ranch Islamic
Center in Irving, Texas.
“In the over 150 years
that this community has
been here, never has
there been a problem
with the Muslim commu-
nity trying to overthrow
the system,” he said. “Not
once has there been a
Muslim promoting any-
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2-22-17
Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne (center) speaks at the summit entitled, “Defending Against Radical Islamic
Terrorism in Texas” in Austin, Texas.
lier this month by Rep.
Biedermann requesting
their response.
‘Not once has there been a Muslim promoting
anything unconstitutional that infringes on
the rights of our friends and neighbors. These
aren’t alternate facts; they’re just facts’
it
“The
representative
rights of all Texans of all
didn’t
reach
out to us
faiths.”
through
one
of
the many
Hispanic activist Car-
mosques
in
Texas.
Some
los Quintanilla said May-
[mosques
are]
in
his
own
or Van Duyne should
also stop the rhetoric and district,” Suleiman said
support the large His- during the press confer-
panic and Muslim com- ence last week. “Instead,
he decided to put us
munities in Irving.
“We need to send a mes- through a litmus test that
sage to Mayor Beth Van is grounded in intimida-
Duyne that the City of tion. These loyalty tests
Irving constituents will are not new in America,
not tolerate hatred,” said and they essentially im-
Quintanilla, the leader of ply a second-class citi-
zenship on the part of
Accion America.
“We have never seen those who receive them.
any radical Islamic be- We reject that status
havior in Irving and we and characterization. By
need to share that type sending us these letters
of awareness with the dictated by Xenophobes
community. Irving has a and hate groups not even
large minority commu- based in our state, he is
nity that includes Mus- negating decade of in-
lims and hate mongering terfaith dialogue, multi-
faith cooperation and
is not acceptable.”
The North Dallas Ga- civic engagement here in
zette also sent Mayor Texas.”
Dr. Michael W. Waters,
Van Duyne’s offi ce a se-
ries of questions for this who also attended the
article, but her staff ers press conference, said
also declined to off er a he is concerned about
the growing acceptance
response for this story.
Suleiman said Mus-
lims
welcome
ay ! • L i ke u s o
d
o
t
government of-
n F
y •
fi cials to visit
mosques to
get to know
them
in
the spirit
of friend-
ship and
not suspi-
cion.
He
said
that
reject a pri-
vately funded
poll sent out to
Muslim groups ear-
n
m
in
ts •
TheSkannerNews
o k • learn • co
yo u r c o m m
ebo
un
ac
nt •
lo c a l n
ew
s
•
ev
e
thing unconstitutional
that infringes on the
rights of our friends and
neighbors. These aren’t
alternate facts; they’re
just facts.”
Last Wednesday, Su-
leiman with a group
of interfaith and civil
rights leaders held a
press conference at Ir-
ving City Hall to oppose
a summit spearheaded
by Texas State Represen-
tative Kyle Biedermann
and supported by Irving
Mayor Beth Van Duyne.
The summit entitled,
“Defending Against Rad-
ical Islamic Terrorism in
Texas” took place at the
state capitol last week.
Community leaders in
attendance at the press
conference believe the
summit unfairly target-
ed Muslims.
However, Rep. Bieder-
mann disagrees with the
community leaders. The
North Dallas Gazette
sent Rep. Biedermann’s
offi ce questions related
to this story. Even though
staff ers at Biedermann’s
offi ce acknowledged re-
ceipt of the questions,
they went unanswered;
staff ers instead sent a
press release about the
summit.
“With the rise of rad-
ical Islamic terrorism
throughout the world,
our homeland security
must be our top priority.
When I took offi ce, I as-
sembled a Law Enforce-
ment and Homeland
Security Advisory Coun-
me
“
cil,” Rep. Biedermann
stated in the press re-
lease. “We have a respon-
sibility as Texans to se-
cure our border and to
protect against the seri-
ous, and growing, threats
of terrorism.”
Community
leaders
said Rep. Biedermann
should spend more time
building relationships
with the Muslim com-
munity and speaking out
against racists and xeno-
phobes.
“Texas strength is in its
diversity. This is one of
the most diverse states
in the country and that
is what makes us strong,”
said Sahar Aziz, a board
member of the ACLU of
Texas during last week’s
press conference. “If he
truly cares about Texas,
then he should be defend-
ing the religious freedom
DAVID WILFONG/NORTH DALLAS GAZETTE
By Audrey A. Lundy
(North Dallas Gazette/
NNPA Member)
DELIVERY
DRIVER
of racism and xenopho-
bia sweeping across the
country.
“I believe there is an
assault on our civil lib-
erties that were secured
for us, in blood, by gen-
erations of soldiers and
generations of activists,”
said Waters, a pastor of
Joy Tabernacle A.M.E.
Church in South Dallas.
“I believe Muslims are
being targeted.”
Shayan Elahi, an Amer-
ican Muslim who is the
chair of the civil rights
committee of the Dallas
County Democratic Par-
ty added, “Political in-
timidation will not work
just as it has not worked
against other minori-
ties.”
North Dallas Gazette is
a member publication of
the National Newspaper
Publishers Association.
Learn more about becom-
ing a member at www.
nnpa.org.
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2-22-17
Willie Rutherford
Died August 5th 2016
“Happy Birthday”
Willie known as George
Rutherford today February
22 you are 76 yrs old and no
one knows the emptiness I
feel. No one can understand
why my broken heart won’t
heal. Each day that we’re
apart you are forever pres-
ent in my heart.
In the darkness of the
night I yearn for your arms
to hold me tight. It broke my heart to lose you but
you didn’t go alone, a part of me went with you
the day God called you home. Many times I cried,
if love could have saved you, you never would
have died. Now that you’re gone and your actions
have ceased, we want you to know that we love
you and may your soul rest in peace.
I love you so much,
Your pumpkin forever.
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