Please take the time to watch this video, despite its length. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZpT2Muxoo0&feature=player_embedded.
I tend to be a bit of a broken record–posting things related to the rising Islamophobia in our country, especially with this Islamic center issues–but the massive amount of fear-mongering needs to be countered with something, even if my tiny blog can’t compete with Fox News. 🙂
As Keith clarifies in the above video, the Islamic center formerly called “Cordoba House,” will now be named Park 51, because politicians have tried–and succeeded– in demonizing this name. Â They say it refers to the Muslim conquest of medieval Spain; as I have made clear in previous posts, that is not the case at all. Â It is a reference to the spirit of convivencia, “living together in harmony”, that was experienced by people of all faiths in the city of Cordoba. Â It was a place of knowledge, learning, and mutual understanding.
I am disappointed that the builders decided to change the name. Â It seems like they are conceding a bit to the ridiculous and false criticism of politicians on the right. Â Cordoba House is still going to be a part of the center; it is the name of the program promoting interfaith dialogue, as it should be.
My blog-friend, Saladin, wrote a great commentary on this situation. Â Check out his blog–that is where I stole this video from. Â Thanks, Saladin!
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Also, Happy Birthday to my younger brother, Nick, who ran in his first Varsity-calibre cross country race today. Â He turned 17 on the 17th, and he ran a 17:42. Â Congrats bro, you have a very proud sister.
