The problem with this is the unexamined assumption that Islam is exactly the same kind of thing as Judaism and Christianity, and must be welcomed into the United States with no examination of the ready-made societal alternative that it offers, and which some Muslims have made clear that they are determined ultimately not just to offer but to impose upon the West. In light of the dim view that some Muslims have of Western holidays, can we expect that in an Islamic New York, as some would like to see exist someday, the building will still be lit up for Christmas and Hanukkah?
Another unexamined assumption is that most Muslims abhor what happened on 9/11, and so this is no insult to the memory of those who died on that day. But I can’t help but think how nice it would have been to light up the World Trade Center towers also.
From AFP (thanks to all who sent this in):
New York’s iconic Empire State Building is to be lit up green from Friday in honor of the Muslim holiday of Eid, the biggest festival in the Muslim calendar marking the end of Ramadan, officials said.
“This is the first time that the Empire State Building will be illuminated for Eid, and the lighting will become an annual event in the same tradition of the yearly lightings for Christmas and Hannukah,” according to a statement.
Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month, is expected to be celebrated in New York from Friday, depending on when the new moon is sighted, and the city’s tallest skyscraper will remain green until Sunday….
An estimated seven million Muslims live in the United States.
Estimated by the American Muslim advocacy groups, that is. The Pew Research Center found 2.3 million.