2011-03-26

Unwelcome: The Muslims Next Door


A preview of CNN's "In America" special, "Unwelcome: The Muslims Next Door" is online at http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2011/03/09/unwelcome.the.muslims.next.door.cnn

The documentary is scheduled to debut this Sunday, March 27th at 8pm ET on CNN/U.S. on Sunday, Mar. 27 at 8:00p.m. ET and PT. The one-hour documentary will re-air on Saturday, Apr. 2 at the same airtimes.

CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O’Brien chronicles a dramatic public debate in Unwelcome: The Muslims Next Door. The current Islamic Center of Murfreesboro says it needs to expand to accommodate the need for larger prayer and activity spaces for the growing Muslim community. Yet, as the center proceeded with its plans, the imam began receiving hostile telephone calls, and the construction site was vandalized multiple times – including spray painting of the words “NOT WELCOME” over the construction sign, and an arson fire that destroyed equipment at the site. A CNN interview of members of the mosque at the construction site was interrupted by the sounds of gunfire, prompting calls to the local police who arrived to investigate the source of the shots.

Kevin Fisher, a 45-year-old single parent, is the outspoken leader against the planned center in Murfreesboro, his hometown of over 20 years. Fisher has organized other town residents via social media to gather thousands of signatures, organized large rallies, and filed legal injunctions against the expansion of the Islamic center.

“Neighbors were outraged that something of this nature was being basically being shoved down our throats and we didn’t know anything about it,” Fisher says in the documentary.

Influential town residents Sally and Howard Wall were major funders for the legal efforts to seek an injunction against the mosque. Sally Wall cites media reports of radical Muslim violence around the world and in the U.S. as the reasons for her concerns.

“There is this enormous building, which is going to be occupied, by people, who are of the same religion of the people we are fighting in Afghanistan,” she says.

When O’Brien points out that Muslims in the U.S. overwhelmingly seem to identify themselves as Americans, governed under U.S. laws, Wall says, “I think Sharia law is trying to creep in [the U.S.] – because that’s what they are taught...I think they should try to come in the 21st Century. If they [Muslims] would quit covering, [they] would find this a much easier place to live,” she tells O’Brien.

“This is America. What is this? People can disagree with each other kindly,” says Imam Bahloul, “but violence like this is nonsense... for children to be scared in the Mosque, this is bad...this is sad.”

Additional reporting on the debate over the Murfreesboro Islamic Center, coverage of the Congressional hearings requested by Rep. Peter King (R-NY) on what he describes as “the radicalization of American Muslims,” and excerpts from Unwelcome: The Muslims Next Door can be found at www.cnn.com/inamerica.

6 comments:

Brianna said...

Wow, I admire you for not bursting into laughter at some of the ridiculous comments made by some of your interview subjects. Having been raised in middle Tennessee, I am appalled at the ignorance and hatred that some of my neighbors have displayed in their fight against the imaginary "spread of Islam." First of all, they have no idea what sharia law even entails. No, it's not about beating your wife and blowing up non-believers. Some of it even includes practices that are part of Christianity, like foot-washing. But when your only source of information is FoxNews and forwarded emails devoid of any truth, logic, or facts, what do you expect? Second of all, they obviously haven't read or understood the U.S. Constitution, which already protects us from religious law taking over and allows us to practice religion as long as it's not harmful to others/doesn't break any other existing laws. As I was watching the documentary, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but it's obvious that we have a lot of work to do educating our citizens and promoting tolerance, love, and understanding. Thanks for your insightful work and for not laughing out loud at some of the ludicrous subjects.

Brianna said...

Wow, I admire you for not bursting into laughter at some of the ridiculous comments made by some of your interview subjects. Having been raised in middle Tennessee, I am appalled at the ignorance and hatred that some of my neighbors have displayed in their fight against the imaginary "spread of Islam." First of all, they have no idea what sharia law even entails. No, it's not about beating your wife and blowing up non-believers. Some of it even includes practices that are part of Christianity, like foot-washing. But when your only source of information is FoxNews and forwarded emails devoid of any truth, logic, or facts, what do you expect? Second of all, they obviously haven't read or understood the U.S. Constitution, which already protects us from religious law taking over and allows us to practice religion as long as it's not harmful to others/doesn't break any other existing laws. As I was watching the documentary, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but it's obvious that we have a lot of work to do educating our citizens and promoting tolerance, love, and understanding. Thanks for your insightful work and for not laughing out loud at some of the ludicrous subjects.

Anonymous said...

There is a lot to be said about Islam. It is one of the three major religions of the world. But the question is why defend it. It is the most barbaric, misogynist, of all religions. You Soedad, would not be allowed to practice your profession under sharia law. Put on your burka, stay at home, don't learn to read, and be humble to men.

Anonymous said...

FROM ONE OF THOSE REDNECKS IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE: Islam is Islam is Islam and Sharia law is a material and fundamental part of it's fabric. Sharia law is no threat today (2011) but with a Muslim birth rate of 7:1 compared to a Christian birth rate of 2:1, it is not fantasy or Islamophobia to understand that Muslims in America can become a majority during this 21st Century, and in a democracy where the majority rules, Sharia law in the United States of America is a very real possibility with high degree of probability. This writer will be long gone by then but my descendants would be in the middle of it. God help them if Sharia ever becomes the law of the land. Soledad, it is you who is living in a fantasy world! Wake up America!!!

Anonymous said...

Hey Brianna
keep your head in the sand until it is out of control and then you will wine and complain because no one stopped it. I live in Dearborn Michigan and they even have the store signs in Arabic here and allow Sharia courts. Just keep your head in the sand and soon you will be wearing a Burka and be denied the right to vote...stupid hillbilly girl. They just killed 7 people in the Afghanistan embassy because some pastor in America burned a Quran. Peace and love in Islam huh?....yeah right...they are all terrorists.

Anonymous said...

Kevin Fisher's only reason to pursue this lawsuit was out of pure hate that his ex-wife married a Muslim and he has ridiculous fear that his son will have a postitive relationship with his step-dad. Mr. Fisher is the first person to play the (race card/bigotry) when he is confronted about anything, yet he does the same to the Muslim community.