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Originally Posted by Ustwo
Just think how they would choke on this one....
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No kidding. From the San Diego Union:
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After protests by Muslim business owners, Ramadan banners are back up on city lampposts in southeastern San Diego.
The signs were pulled last week after a city code enforcement officer ordered them removed because of their "religious" content and expired permit.
The 16 banners were reinstalled Tuesday night after a meeting of officials from the city's Development Services and Neighborhood Code Compliance departments and the City Attorney's Office.
They agreed that "under existing regulations, there are no prohibitions against installing these banners," said Bob Didion, assistant deputy director of development services.
City code-compliance officials said the permit would need to be renewed.
Abdur-Rahim Hameed, who had called for the signs to be reinstalled, saw them yesterday morning as he was driving to work.
"When I looked up and saw the Ramadan banners, I just burst into tears," he said. Last week, Hameed held a news conference to object to their removal.
He said working within the system to get the banners reinstalled bonded Muslims together during the monthlong Ramadan holiday, a time of fasting and prayer.
A city code enforcement officer inspected the 2-by-6-foot banners last week after receiving a complaint. The officer found that they didn't meet city code because of their "religious" subject matter and that a permit had not been issued to display them.
The city asked the Diamond Business Improvement District, which runs the neighborhood's banner program, to immediately remove the banners, and the district complied.
The district's attorney, John Stump, said he believes the permit is still valid, but he and other district officials have agreed to renew it. The green-and-white banners have flown during Ramadan for the past five years.
They feature a half-moon, a star and the words "Ramadan Mubarak," which means blessed Ramadan.
Tony Young, chief of staff for the late Councilman Charles Lewis, sent a staff member to Tuesday's city meeting. "We support those banners staying up because they represent some of the cultural fabric in our community," Young said. "It's something we're very proud of."
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This would make me feel all warm and snuggly if an atheist hadn't been suing for ten or fifteen years to have a Christian Korean War memorial on city property torn down. He even sued when it was sold to a private group, because it was still visible.
But for those on this board who still despise references to God, I will make a sacrifice. You may mail me all your currency.
All of it is enscribed with "In God We Trust."