"Six Flags over Texas," for those unfamiliar with the term, refers to the six national flags that have flown over present-day Texas (France, Spain, Mexico, Republic of Texas, Confederacy, and the U.S.). Hence the name of the Arlington, TX amusement park that is about to host a "Muslim Family Day" event sponsored by the Islamic Circle of North America, which has sponsored similar events in the past.
The article below details a planned protest by Joe Kaufman's Americans Against Hate against this event, on the basis of ICNA's ties to groups like the Muslim Brotherhood. The reporter offers two negative reactions to AAH's allegations, which would suggest to the uninitiated reader that AAH is off the mark. But he evidently did no research on his own to follow up on the ICNA's connections, rendering the report an example of how agenda-based reporting does not serve the public interest, having wasted an opportunity to ask them where they stand with respect to the global jihadist drive that would plant a seventh flag over Texas -- one of an Islamic state. In fact, it most likely never occurred to the reporter to pose the question.
"Florida group to protest Muslim day at Six Flags," by Scott Farwell for the Dallas Morning News:
A Florida-based group called Americans Against Hate plans to protest a Muslim Family Day at Six Flags Over Texas later this month because it says the Islamic organization sponsoring the event supports terrorism.
Local Muslims called the accusation a lie.
"They have an agenda and they have a focus, and that is to absolutely tear down any Muslim organization that has any level of promise in America," said Khalil Meek of Plano, president of the Muslim Legal Fund of America. "I'm not surprised they're doing it, and I don't even want to talk about them because the more hype they get, the more voice they get. I'd rather just ignore them and pray they grow up and learn how to become responsible people."
The demonstration may be easy to ignore – and miss. Fewer than 50 people have turned out for other protests, according to the group's chairman, Joe Kaufman.
He said education, not turnout, is what's important.
"We believe this organization is a threat to the city and a threat to the United States because of its ties to overseas terrorism, because of their financing of overseas terrorism," he said.
Mr. Kaufman says the Islamic Circle of North America was founded three decades ago as an American arm of the terrorist group Muslim Brotherhood of Pakistan and funnels money to Hamas.
Mohammad Barney, president of the Dallas chapter of ICNA, said the accusations are troubling and untrue. According to its Web site, ICNA supports Islamic culture and education while promoting justice and understanding.
"It's disturbing that they are writing false statements like that," said Mr. Barney. "People have the right to say whatever they want, but that doesn't make it true."
That works both ways.
The Anti-Defamation League – a pro-Jewish group – seems to agree. ICNA is not listed as a threat on its Web site.
"We don't involve ourselves in that kind of activity," said Mark Briskman, regional director of the league, who said his group would not participate in the protest. "He made a lot of claims ... without clear documentation of those claims. His statements are problematic."
A spokesman for the Dallas FBI office would not comment, but the former director of the local office said agents weigh accusations carefully.
"Anybody in today's world can make any kind of allegation; they can throw anything out there and hope it sticks," said Danny Defenbaugh, who led the Dallas office from 1998 to 2002. "But if somebody makes allegations and can't provide any substantive evidence, the FBI is not going to waste its time. Why should they?"
However, Mr. Kaufman, the man organizing the Oct. 14 protest said the goal of the placard-carrying demonstration is to wake up the public and the government. He said his group attempts to target radical Muslims, not all Muslims.
"I'm not somebody who revels in holding protests everywhere," he said, "but I feel this is an effective way of notifying the public to what they have in their backyard as well as put pressure on the government to shut down these groups."
[...]
Sharon Parker, public relations manager for the park, said that Muslim Family Day will go on and that the park will also be open to the public that day.
"We don't discriminate based on race, religion, sexual orientation, political persuasion or any other factor," Ms. Parker said. "Our ultimate goal is to provide a day of fun for all of our guests."
...Does the park ever hold "Catholic Day", "Hindu Day", "BUddist Day", "Zororastian Day", "Protestant Day", "Seventh Day Adventist DAY', or even the ever popular "Morman Day"?
....this is just another attempt by Muslims to force Islam upon you.....
...Ban Muslim Immigration....
This isn't so much an attempt to force Islam upon you as Muslims proclaiming that they, being a superior people, shouldn't have to mingle with infidels. The obvious symbolism of "Muslim day" is lost on the mainstream media, who don't seem to understand that this is no different than "Blacks only" lunch counters.
"We don't discriminate based on race, religion, sexual orientation, political persuasion or any other factor," Ms. Parker said. "Our ultimate goal is to provide a day of fun for all of our guests."
Coming soon-Cannibal Day, KKK Day, Pedophile Day? No doubt much fun would be had by guests for those days too.
"The obvious symbolism of "Muslim day" is lost on the mainstream media, who don't seem to understand that this is no different than "Blacks only" lunch counters.
Posted by: aynrandgirl "
....AMEN.....
So when is Islamaphobe day?
Didn't they already have one of these days somewhere else that was cancelled? Because how can muslim families mix with other families. Riding roller coasters requires people to mix. And most of the other activities do also.
There is no fun in islam.
As far as I'm concerned, there is nothing wrong with the park of many flags have a Muslim Day: the park is a private organization and in any freedom-loving country should be allowed to do business as it sees fit (as long as it pays its taxes and obeys various public regulations regarding safety, etc.) So if the park thinks it will gain more business by having a Muslim Day than it will lose by driving away offended customers on other days, that should be the park's business. However, for several decades now we have had laws in this country severely restricting the use of one's private property and certain types of discrimination are illegal: one cannot refuse to rent an apartment to an homosexual couple; one cannot refuse to serve a black in one's restaurant; one cannot refuse to hire a Puerto Rican, etc. Unfortunately these laws are enforced in a biased fashion; there is a clear tilt against whites and Christians, and in favor of certain favored minorities. Likewise the news media coverage is clearly slanted -- imagine the storm of media outrage if the park were to have a Non-Muslim Day sponsored by the KKK (with a tip of the hat to ISLAMISFORLOSERS).
To change the subject a bit, will the park make all the necessary changes to ensure everything is properly muslim? Will the park staff be exclusively Muslim? One wouldn't want to be served a lamb kebab by a kaffir who the day before was selling and handling bratwursts. Or maybe non-Muslim staff will be required to wear distinctive badges (like a cross) so that believers will be able to keep their distance. Likewise, will there be special food booths for the occasion? One wouldn't want to buy a kebab prepared on a counter that the previous day had been used for preparing barbecued pork sandwiches.
The list of things to boycott grows longer each day. Pretty soon we will be forced to entertain ourselves and live as the Amish.
"The list of things to boycott grows longer each day. Pretty soon we will be forced to entertain ourselves and live as the Amish.
Posted by: Pelayo"
...or arm ourselves and live as Daniel Boone....
Here ya go:
http://www.sixflags.com/overTexas/footerNav/contact.aspx
Be as nice as possible.
The park is open to the public on that day.
Sounds like a good day to encourage all who want to see what the future holds to visit the park.
Will hot dogs disappear from the menu? Can I have bacon on my cheeseburger without offending the Muslims?
What will seeing infidel women in shirtsleeves and without headscarves do to impressionable young minds?
Won't all the Muslim women will be wearing the hijab and clothed from head to toe? What happens to a woman who loses her hijab on the roller coaster? Just imagine if the burka flies off!
Instead of seeing it as forcing Islam on us, it sounds like a good opportunity for others to see what Islamism portends.
"What happens to a woman who loses her hijab on the roller coaster?"
...the religious police will step in and execute the offender immediately for not being properly dressed....much in the the same thought process that the Muslims chained the doors of a burning school thereby barring children fleeing the flames of a fire...the doors were barred because the children were not properly dressed according to Islamic dress codes...the children died.....
just one more example of why we need to ban Muslim Immigration...
exsgtbrown,
They're not running this country yet. We don't have religious police as of yet. The real question is: what will Six Flags personnel allow to happen on that day? Will they ban food that is non-Islamic even as they (supposedly) welcome all others into the park? What will non-Muslims see if they are near the area when a woman commits the mortal sin of uncovering her hair?
Far from "imposing" Islam on us, they are letting us see what it means in daily life, even in a place where we go to have fun and get away from the pressures of daily life. Would Americans rather lose their freedoms or let go of their political correctness?
I went to the website and couldn't find any reference to this event.
Any idea when it is to be held? I was thinking I might go that day just to see if I am discriminated against when I ask for a pulled pork sandwich.
I cannot recall the last time 6 Flags had a Christian Family Day, Or a Jewish Family day...
It must be nice to be special.
Also they are having Muslim Family Day at the State Fair of Texas.
I may go just to wave around a corny dog or a pork chop sandwich.
Why protest against the ICNA's ties to groups like the Muslim Brotherhood?
Islam is the problem...it forms the ideological foundations for murder groups like the Muslim Brotherhood.
Protests should be directed against Islam, not the ICNA.
I'm afraid Mr. Kaufman has fallen prey to the lie that organizations like the ICNA, and its offspring, the Muslim Brotherhood, have hyjacked the peaceful religion of Islam.
What did those men in the Alamo die for?
Canada's Wonderland, here in Ontario, has similar corporate-funded "family days".
An employer might host its annual employee picnic there. If you're a big enough group (meaning enough money is involved), you get signs announcing your presence, etc. I'm not certain but I think at times the park has been closed to the general public for some large groups (I could be wrong).
http://www3.paramountparks.com/canadaswonderland/groupsales/groups.cfm
This Six Flags place seems to be doing the same thing. Someone has to pay and organize it; I'd be surprised if the park was doing it on its own initiative.
I'm glad the Americans Against Hate group is drawing attention to ICNA's suspected terrorist links. I wonder what else might be done? As Marisol noted, the reporter "refuted" Mr. Kaufman's charges and dropped the issue. Will any other journalist be interested enough to raise the issue and will his editor give him the time to do the research?
What can the park do if no criminal charges have been laid against the sponsor?
What responsibility does a clerk at the booking desk have to investigate the financial backgrounds of every sponsor of every group? What kind of legal trouble would they get into if they started telling Muslim sponsors they had to wait for an unspecified period of time for an unspecified reason?
This reminds me of the pro-Hezbollah billboard that went up recently in Windsor, Ontario.
Our private businesses aren't expecting any of this. They have to follow the non-discrimination laws and they have to be aware of public opinion.
I would be interested in seeing photos from the day. I, too, wonder how the female employees will be dressed and if non-Muslims will have access to the usual menu at the various eating spots.
Perhaps the Muslim group will just have its own large barbecue set up in a picnic area.
Why do they need to call it "Muslim Family Day"? If the goal is to have fun, as stated by Ms. Parker, then simply call it "Family Fun Day"! Why draw attention to Muslims? What is the purpose?
My thoughts exactly!
To put it in our face, champ.
To put it in our face.
Pelayo: Thanks for the link to Six Flags. I posted a message to them and would encourage others here to do the same, politely of course, but firmly. Businesses across this nation have to understand that Islam is not just another religion. Sometimes this will be tricky because of legality (again, Muslims will use our own freedoms they deny to others in Muslim countries), but the effort must be made nonetheless.
anyone protests, publicly or virtually, agaisnt the dangers of islam and welcome to my world of being called a racist and a neo nazi.
look at the recent anti islam demo in brussels, the press were on hand to brand the marchers as bigots, racists and nazis.
im not sure we're gonna win this war, we can't even get hte general public on our side. glenn beck tries but more people are hypnotised with britney spears and clinton.
folks, we may lose this war and islam will be our master.
Leon mentioned the SIOE protest in Brussels.
They're planning one for London, England (caps are in the original, sorry):
http://sioe.wordpress.com/2007/09/28/stop-kuffarphobia-demonstration-london-26th-october/
STOP KUFFARPHOBIA AND KALIFASCISM!
LONDON DEMONSTRATION 26th OCTOBER 2007
An event organised by “Stop Islamisation Of Europe” (SIOE)
To coincide with Islamo-fascism Awareness week in which events are being held across the USA highlighting the bullying by Islamists against non-Muslims throughout the world
To protest against Kuffarphobia – the irrational fear and loathing of non-Muslims by Islamists.
[...]
"The list of things to boycott grows longer each day. Pretty soon we will be forced to entertain ourselves and live as the Amish."
Posted by: Pelayo
Ah, but the thing is, Pelayo (and I'm sure you already know this, but I have itchy typing fingers LOL) the Amish do have fun. The Amish laugh, dance, party, in their own way, and are normal people.
LOL But, I have to say, this group of posters would make for an interesting quilting bee! The more bellicose among us might have to shuck corn, instead, to work out their frustrations. Or better still, thresh grain.
PMK,
A very thought provoking post. I wonder if they will require female employees to wear a headscarf.
FrontPage says it's to be held on October 14th. Oh, the fun to be had by infidels suddenly doffing their hijabs, and breaking out the pork rinds!
Josephine
Finally there's an event against islam in Atlanta, Georgia!!!
YESSS!!! (punches fist in air)
Here's my opus to Six Flags, for what it's worth.
Dear Madam or Sir:
I have concerns regarding your scheduled "Muslim Family Day", due to take place on Oct. 14.
I realize that you are a privately owned company, and that you have the right to do as you please, with regard to events taking place in your park.
My concern springs from the chilling effect of a declared Muslim Family Day, upon non-Muslim Americans. Please understand--I don't expect, at all, that anyone would be in any particular danger. It's merely a question of making other groups and individuals feel less welcome than Muslim families.
Do you intend, sometime in the future, to hold a "Christian Family Day"? No, of course you don't. To do so would be interpreted as an act of discrimination, as non-Christian families would feel less welcomed by the park on such a day. For the same reason, you will probably not declare a "Jewish Family Day", a "Buddhist Family Day", or a "Hindu Family Day" any time soon.
I am curious about this "Muslim Family Day". You cannot contend that they are a large group, deserving of special privileges, as Christians are a larger group for whom you would never go to such trouble. So, what gives? Why are Muslims so attractive to you as guests that you are hosting a special day, just for them?
"Muslim Family Day" is a mistake, in my opinion. You are going to turn people off to visiting your park. You've already lost me, and my Christian family.
More sincerely than you can imagine,
Cindy Buxton
The ICNA is also involved with the similar Six Flags Muslim event at the New Jersey park--maybe there are others.
Great America (yes, another ironic name in this context) amusement park in Sant Clara, California has a "Muslim Unity Day". This is the third such event. Non-Muslims are technically also allowed, but I imagine it would be pretty uncomfortable for them.
Here is a link from the August 11 event:
http://www.muslimunity.us/
Many posters above wondered how the food situation was handled. From pictures I've seen of "Muslim Unity Day", it looks as though there are special halal food stands set up for the day.
I guess the "filthy kaffirs" are fine for running the rides, but you wouldn't want them touching your food.
Hmmm, I can see it now:
Come to Muslim Fun Day!
Lot's of games!
Lot's of rides!
Lot's of thrill & chance!
Such as, listed in order!...
1) The sandbox obstacle course!
2) Jihad on Benny Hill!
3) Crap Rappin target aquisition in the road!
4) Durka-Dodg'em Cars!
5) 100m Dash (from the Apache Guns)!
6) Paintball under the paintball trees!
(with real live ammo!)
7) Lose the armed HumVee on your ass!
8) Duel of the fates! (your AK-47 vs a live .30cal MG)
9) Sand Berm Quickdraw! (your RPG vs. Apaches 20mm canon)
10) Quickdraw II (your RPG vs. same .30cal HumVee MG in mid-road)
11) Obstacle course (your AK-47 vs. 120mm Abrams tank canon)
12) Duck Hunt in formal attire! (you're the duck!)
13) Carry the camera on a martyrdom operation! (& not get knocked on your ass & die)
14) Shed blood for Jihad! (examples provided)
15) Vehicles provided for that EXTRA LONG NAP!
16) Durka die-in! (examples provided)
17 See the evil Abrams tank blow saddams horse statue away!
18) Try to shoot the infidel soldier!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSpwxOFHo70
Try before you buy, right here!
Ah, isn't family fun day FUN?!!!
Music provided by Boots Randolph!
Enjoy!
Oh yeah, forgot...the disclaimer...
If you have a weak stomach or a wuss, don't watch it.
For those whose relatives may be in the video: TOUGH.
...as if it hasn't happened already?
*WEG*
lol
Anyone else going to this? I know I am, if only to see what's going on and take pictures. Finally, something going down in my area! Yippee!
"Finally there's an event against islam in Atlanta, Georgia!!!" Posted by: leonthepigfarmer
Leon -- If you attend, I hope you will take photos and send a report to Robert Spencer so we can all learn about it.
you all are racist, the only reason why its called muslim family fun day is becasue its the day of eid, the day that muslims get to relax after 30 days of worship and fasting. Don't hate because you cant start your own fun day! six flags never prohibited christian family fun day nor did they prohibit jewish family fun day nor any other fun day! You jyust never had the idea or even thought about requesting one. I hope all you haters get my message that no matter how hard you hate you dont make a difference in a muslims life because muslims trully believe that god is one and the only. So we trust in god and not in men. If you have any qusetions comments or concerns about islam come pay us a visit at einformer.net or email me turbocharged06@gmail.con. Don't send hate mail or spam because i will get you blacklisted. just want to let you guys know that muslims arent EVIL or trying to be sperated from others, we just want to enjoy a fun eid day together in six flags. And there are 365 days in a year taking one day of six flags wont kill you. I hope that you understand.
Thank you