Anti-Islam Protesters Sizzle, Then Fizzle

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Under the banner of the ludicrously named Global Rally for Humanity, which called “fellow patriots, veterans, bikers, and good ol’ boys”, to gather at 20 sites across the nation on Oct 9-10, 2015, the attempt to intimidate American Muslims fizzled in the nation’s capital. 

Islamic Centers, masajid and government offices were the targets of this seemingly well-organized public national event. Islamic Centers prepared for the worst— checking safety protocols and cancelling weekend events. 

Maryland based organizers, loosely connected via social media, chose Dar al Taqwa in Ellicott City, MD for the Maryland and Delaware protest. 

There was a protest also planned in front of Masjid Muhammad in Washington, D.C. on the eve of 20th anniversary of the Million Man March. In one of their emails the protest organizers said they were going to bring 3000 armed people to Washington D.C., according to  Ibrahim Mumin, director of community relations for Masjid Muhammad.  

Imam Talib Shareef and Board of Advisors urged all members and visitors to avoid any confrontation with the demonstrators as ‘their goal is to not only intimidate and terrorize Muslims, but to also illicit a response from [Muslims] in order to create a violent confrontation which they can use against [Muslims]. The masjid administration asked masjid attendees to adhere to a safety protocol while visiting the masjid that included no weapons, bags or large purses, and congregating in front of the masjid. The imam asked the congregation to have no physical or verbal contact with protesters. They did not cancel Friday’s United for Justice panel discussion or the open mic session scheduled to be held on Saturday

Flyers stating “Hate-Free Zone” peppered the block around the masjid as neighbors lent their support to the historical masjid community. Neighbors recognized that the masjid is a source of benefit for many folks who have been left behind by the gentrification of surrounding areas. 

Local security was arranged for prior to the protest at both sites.

The rallies were organized on social media. The Maryland rally was sketched together by a Mike White. Anti-Muslim, anti-Obama and anti-immigrant memes, trolls and many Muslims virtually defending Islam through their keyboards populated the Facebook page he ran.

Many of the so called patriots believe that they are saving Muslims from a “death cult” and insist that they are not hateful people. White had plans to rent a live pig to walk up and down, pass out copies of the Qur'an to desecrate and ‘tons of bacon’ as he shared in a video posted on the Facebook page.

The days before the event were fraught with drama as White canceled the rally due to lack of participation and funds. A day later the rally event page was back in action.

Area Muslims were planning to anti-protest along with their interfaith partners. The board of Dar Al Taqwa, after consultation with scholars and leaders at Muslim Community Center, Islamic Society of Baltimore and Islamic Community Center of Laurel, decided to completely ignore the protesters and issued a statement advising Muslims to stay at home and pray. The statement read: “This group is looking for attention only. BOD have contacted the group leader and tried to discuss issue, unfortunately are looking to pick a fight only. This group is armed and dangerous.” The masjid was open for salah; all other activities were canceled.

The Islamic Society of North America had issued a special announcement calling Muslim communities to stress civic engagement and coalition building by holding voter registration drives as a response to the rallies and to invite interfaith partners to join the voter drive.

On the bright side, the proactive manner masjid boards, civil rights organizations, local police departments and other agencies interacted with each other was reassuring. Howard County Police and Howard County Department of Permits and Codes contacted the DAT Board of Directors on the day the group filed for the permit.

DAT was in direct contact with the FBI field office in Baltimore, the US Attorney's office, and Howard County Police Department, according to a statement released to the community. 

Howard County Police assured masjid leaders that they would arrest anyone standing on the masjid side on Route 108. The protesters could not gather on the county property adjacent to the Masjid and inside the Cedar Lane Park. They were given a permit to protest across the street on the county property. Police stationed officers around the masjid and had 3-4 squad cars on stand by. 

The day of the event was uneventful at DAT. A few interfaith partners came with signs of support and were immediately invited into the building. "I'm Jewish. I know what it's like to be hated for my religion. Mosque leaders asked people to ignore this group, but I decided to come anyway because there's no place for this nonsense in our county,” said a supporter.

“I showed up. I drove three hours. Where was ya'll? [sic] Where?” lamented a protester on the Facebook page as the couple who organized the event came to the protest site at 10:45 a.m., across the street from DAT, and then left after a few minutes. The same scene replayed in front of Masjid Muhammad.

After all the online ruckus, there was no protest.

 

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