en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/753800 Comments by yalateef http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/09/01/muslim-american-women-frustrated-about-defending-their-religion#IDComment96400669 This is a good article. It shows that American Muslims are decent people who are diverse. As such, they should not be scapegoated for the acts of criminals. There is freedom of religion in this country. Those who don't like the rights and freedoms afforded to all, regardless of their religious beliefs should go live under a dictatorship for a while. This country was built by all sorts of people from all sorts of cultural and religious backgrounds. Anyone who thinks we all have to look the same, believe the same, think the same, does not love this country...because if anything, this country is diverse. A true patriot is one who contributes to society, upholds its rights, freedoms and laws. Racists and haters are not patriots. Wed, 1 Sep 2010 15:08:38 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/09/01/muslim-american-women-frustrated-about-defending-their-religion#IDComment96400669 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/06/28/iraqi-teen-muslim-group-say-assault-was-racially-motivated#IDComment82896307 Sorry thirtyacre, Saif and his family were walking away and the thugs went after him, hurling racial slurs..and even attacked his mother. There were plenty of witnesses as to what really happened. Don't make excuses for your disgusting, bigoted friends! Tue, 29 Jun 2010 03:21:06 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/06/28/iraqi-teen-muslim-group-say-assault-was-racially-motivated#IDComment82896307 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/06/28/iraqi-teen-muslim-group-say-assault-was-racially-motivated#IDComment82878964 I'm new to Cedar Rapids, and it is good to know that people in this community don't make excuses for bigots. Unfortunately, a few actions like this will affect the reputation of the city and all who live here. I think we need to send a clear message to law enforcement authorities that these types of crimes will not be tolerated by the community. Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:37:23 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/06/28/iraqi-teen-muslim-group-say-assault-was-racially-motivated#IDComment82878964 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/01/08/islamic-preschool-off-to-good-start-wants-to-add-kindergarten#IDComment51734366 Sorry wwjd1, regardless of what religion you subscribe to, I am not a big fan of fundamentalists (or fundy's for short). Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:51:03 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/01/08/islamic-preschool-off-to-good-start-wants-to-add-kindergarten#IDComment51734366 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/01/08/islamic-preschool-off-to-good-start-wants-to-add-kindergarten#IDComment51731810 WWJD1, I too was overwhelmed with a myriad of emotions over 911 and wanted the perpetrators captured, and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. That being said, I sympathize with your situation. Try to get over your fear and paranoia. It makes people think and act irrationally. The beauty of this world is that there are many faiths and diverse opinions and hopefully, there always will be. Regarding debating about whether Islam is a "false religion". That would be an exercise in futility. Faith is not rational and cannot be debated. It would be much better if we respected our differences. Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:30:50 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/01/08/islamic-preschool-off-to-good-start-wants-to-add-kindergarten#IDComment51731810 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/01/08/islamic-preschool-off-to-good-start-wants-to-add-kindergarten#IDComment51705724 You give an eloquent answer but it is still myth. If you are really interested in understanding the reality of 'holy war' read Karen Armstrongs book "Holy Wars". It is based on research, not conventional wisdom. Or read Noam Chomsky's book "Conquest 500" about war and terrorism over the last 500 years. The numbers will speak for themselves and you will likely stop throwing stones. Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:29:39 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/01/08/islamic-preschool-off-to-good-start-wants-to-add-kindergarten#IDComment51705724 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/01/08/islamic-preschool-off-to-good-start-wants-to-add-kindergarten#IDComment51705011 Many Muslims did their civic duty and helped the flood victims, building the barriers and opening their homes to flood victims. You can't point us out that easily since we don't match the public image that you are accustomed to. We don't look like the Taliban - some of us look Scandinavian and others are Middle Eastern and others are of African origin. We don't wear "I am Muslim" tattooed on our foreheads. Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:23:07 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/01/08/islamic-preschool-off-to-good-start-wants-to-add-kindergarten#IDComment51705011 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/01/08/islamic-preschool-off-to-good-start-wants-to-add-kindergarten#IDComment51258426 I am Muslim. I put my children in a Catholic High School because there was less drugs and violence at the school and because they received a values based education. It was a better education than what was available in Public Schools and one that closely shared my values. It was not about segregating. What is surprising and disappointing about the 'terrorist' comment is that people who have those opinions actually read the paper. I assumed that only the angry and illiterate thought that way. Sat, 9 Jan 2010 19:23:33 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/01/08/islamic-preschool-off-to-good-start-wants-to-add-kindergarten#IDComment51258426