Muslim Saves Jews - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

jorgelito · 12-12-2007, 08:38 PM

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/12/12/sub...ack/index.html

Quote:

Muslim helps Jews attacked on New York subway

From Nkechi Nneji
CNN

NEW YORK (CNN) -- A Muslim man jumped to the aid of three Jewish subway riders after they were attacked by a group of young people who objected to one of the Jews saying "Happy Hanukkah," a spokeswoman for the three said Wednesday.

The New York Police Department's Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating Friday's incident on the Q train.

Friday's altercation on the Q train began when somebody yelled out "Merry Christmas," to which rider Walter Adler responded, "Happy Hanukkah," said Toba Hellerstein.

"Almost immediately, you see the look in this guy's face like I've called his mother something," Adler told CNN affiliate WABC.

Two women who were with a group of 10 rowdy people then began to verbally assault Adler's companions with anti-Semitic language, Hellerstein said.

One member of the group allegedly yelled, "Oh, Hanukkah. That's the day that the Jews killed Jesus," she said.

When Adler tried to intercede, a male member of the group punched him, she said.

Another passenger, Hassan Askari -- a Muslim student from Bangladesh -- came to Adler's aid, and the group began physically and verbally assaulting him, Hellerstein said.

"A Muslim-American saved us when our own people were on the train and didn't do anything," Adler said. Video Watch Adler describe the altercation »
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Adler pulled the emergency brake and the train stopped at DeKalb Avenue station, where police came on board.

The 10 suspects, ages 19 to 20, were taken into custody, said Brooklyn district attorney spokesman Sandy Silverstein.

Askari was first handcuffed alongside them, but he was released when Adler told police he was not an attacker, Hellerstein said.

Alder was treated at Long Island College Hospital for injuries that included a fractured nose and a cut lip that required several stitches, while Askari suffered a black eye, Hellerstein said.
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The suspects are to appear in Brooklyn District Court on February 7 on charges that include assault, attempted assault, menacing, harassment, unlawful assembly, riot and disorderly conduct, Silverstein said.

The New York Police Department's Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the incident, and will determine whether the suspects will be charged with hate crimes, Officer Philip Hauser told CNN

Two things:

1. This war on Christmas thing is getting out of control and starting to produce backlash. People need to chill.

2. I really love the Muslim angle on this story, Lord knows they need all the good PR they can get. I hope there will be a follow up to this story where they can get a reaction from the Jews that were saved.

Elphaba · 12-12-2007, 09:00 PM

1. The whole "war on Christmas" nonsense belongs in the lap of folks like Bill O'really. He incites people to be enraged about something that does not exist. What a pitiful man.

2. I have another angle on the story that I think has been forgotten for too long. "We" - Muslims, Jews and Christians -are all the children of Abraham and we share in many of the same prophets, as well as the same god. The great tragedy is that variations in religious doctrine has pitted brother against brother for centuries.

Doctrine.

jorgelito · 12-12-2007, 09:10 PM

I think that it goes both ways though and produces reactionary responses. I think there was a bit of the ridiculous war on Christmas at first, blew out of control, fanned by the media, people reacted to it and fed into it, and now that the pendulum has shifted so far to one side, it may have begun to start swinging the other way. I think in time it will all calm down and not be such a big deal.

That's the crazy thing about the Abrahamic faith isn't it. Like a family squabble gone horribly wrong. That's why I like stories like this one. It shows that we can transcend the nonsense. I wish the media would spend more time on stories like this rather than fan the flames of hatred.

skada · 12-12-2007, 09:12 PM

Actally I am too amused at the similarities between the Jew, Islam and Christianity .. Is it just coincidence bec of geographic location ?

Elphaba · 12-12-2007, 09:12 PM

Well said, again. Where do I sign up for the jorgelito fan club?

Quote:

Originally Posted by skada

Actally I am too amused at the similarities between the Jew, Islam and Christianity .. Is it just coincidence bec of geographic location ?

Uh, no. Literally, the jews, muslims and christians followed from the house of Abraham. He is the geographic center, if you will.

Cynthetiq · 12-12-2007, 09:25 PM

Abrahamic faiths...

A pretty good article in Time Magazine a few years back...
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ar...3355-2,00.html

Elphaba · 12-12-2007, 09:27 PM

Thanks, Cyn. That article explained the relationships very well to me.

Hain · 12-12-2007, 10:29 PM

Muslim or not, Askari did the right thing. Just goes to show that man can treat others like human beings regardless of religion, creed, color, etc. I think this puts too much focus on the fact that it was a Muslim that helped Jews, and not someone that stood up against many to do what was right.

I wish that those punks are tried for hate crimes. I wish those punks could be tried for being ignorant and inhumane... but the world could be even more of a fucked up place if my wishes were given. No joke.

@Cynthetiq:
Good read.

Fast Forward · 12-13-2007, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorgelito

Muslim Saves Jews

Jews and Moslems and Christians helping one another (on a personal level) is nothing new. It happens every day in Israel and elsewhere. Unfortunately the media doesn't consider it ”news-worthy”. I'd like to stick my size 42 clogs up their asses.

Xazy · 12-13-2007, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fast Forward

Jews and Moslems and Christians helping one another (on a personal level) is nothing new. It happens every day in Israel and elsewhere. Unfortunately the media doesn't consider it ”news-worthy”. I'd like to stick my size 42 clogs up their asses.

Agreed, to me the story is not about Muslim helping a Jew, just one person helping another. I really hope it inspires people to just help others, that are in need and that is basically it.

analog · 12-13-2007, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xazy

Agreed, to me the story is not about Muslim helping a Jew, just one person helping another. I really hope it inspires people to just help others, that are in need and that is basically it.

Individual people are most often good, and kind, and will do what is right to help a fellow human being.

In groups, we are savage bastards; we have most of the animalistic pack mentality that our caveman forefathers had. Conformity to the group = good, different = bad.

The_Jazz · 12-13-2007, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by analog

Individual people are most often good, and kind, and will do what is right to help a fellow human being.

In groups, we are savage bastards; we have most of the animalistic pack mentality that our caveman forefathers had. Conformity to the group = good, different = bad.

Quoted for truth. I've discovered that individuals are nice; groups are not. It's pretty much a universal that groups, unless they've come together for that express purpose, are less likely to help someone in need. An individual might separate themselves from the herd, but that's an individual action.

mixedmedia · 12-13-2007, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by analog

Individual people are most often good, and kind, and will do what is right to help a fellow human being.

In groups, we are savage bastards; we have most of the animalistic pack mentality that our caveman forefathers had. Conformity to the group = good, different = bad.

Quoted for truth again.

Strange Famous · 12-13-2007, 12:51 PM

people of the book...

jorgelito · 12-13-2007, 06:27 PM

Glad to see that people are more open minded then the media makes us out to be. I thought this article was a nice counter balance to the "Muslim Father Kills Daughter" thread. Interesting to see how drastically different these two threads are and how little interest there is in a thread about a Muslim doing a good deed versus a thread than a thread about a Muslim doing a bad thing.

Elphaba · 12-13-2007, 07:12 PM

Hey, did I say I was done having an opinion on this?

The article you shared with us is getting more and more traction in the press, maybe because it's a feel good holiday tale. I think it represents more than that on several levels. We are not savage bastards simply by congregating at a train station. Leaders emerge and rise above the pack mentality.

Ustwo · 12-13-2007, 07:33 PM

Couple of observations.

First that guys girlfriend is WAY to hot for him and unless red hair is now a Jewish thing, not Jewish.

Second, kudos to Hassan Askari, that took balls.

Apparently there were other Jews on the train that didn't help, I'd like to hear a more neutral account.

The only reason this is a story of course is the religions involved. Guy helps guy getting beat up on subway doesn't warrant a headline in the media. On the other hand a Muslim helping a Jew instead of killing them or denouncing them does. That says quite a bit.

pocon1 · 12-13-2007, 07:49 PM

nothing to say

Xazy · 12-13-2007, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ustwo

Couple of observations.

First that guys girlfriend is WAY to hot for him and unless red hair is now a Jewish thing, not Jewish.

Second, kudos to Hassan Askari, that took balls.

Apparently there were other Jews on the train that didn't help, I'd like to hear a more neutral account.

The only reason this is a story of course is the religions involved. Guy helps guy getting beat up on subway doesn't warrant a headline in the media. On the other hand a Muslim helping a Jew instead of killing them or denouncing them does. That says quite a bit.

I do wonder a drop about the other Jews (I can tell you they were not from Williamsburg though, and if you get that then you know a lot more about Jewish culture) on the train, but really I wonder about how many other people were on the train total, how many others did nothing. I can talk about the Holocaust and people turning a blind eye until massacres underway, but that is taking it more to an extreme then this slim example is.

But the truth is I think it is all our jobs to speak up, and help out if we can.

JustJess · 12-13-2007, 08:33 PM

Wow, I guess you don't know many Jews.. like pocon said, red hair is pretty common. Fire red, too, not just auburn.

Fast Forward · 12-14-2007, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xazy

I really hope it inspires people to just help others, that are in need and that is basically it.

It could happen too if the media would change its tone.

If the news upsets us and causes us to grumble about "this and that" most of the day - and such news strengthens our prejudgices and racial tendandcies - then more of the humanitarian "good news" simple must have the opposite affect. Apparently, "good news" doesn't sell newspapers so we're stuck in the shit indefinitely.

Personally, I NEVER buy newspapers and I stay clear of the TV news too. Does that make me less informed about the world? I travel a whole lot so I don't think so. But what about the people who don't have the time or money to leave Hicksville? They've got nothing but the media for international community information . Now that really is BAD NEWS.

12-12-2007, 09:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
Elphaba Deja Moo Location: Olympic Peninsula, WA	1. The whole "war on Christmas" nonsense belongs in the lap of folks like Bill O'really. He incites people to be enraged about something that does not exist. What a pitiful man. 2. I have another angle on the story that I think has been forgotten for too long. "We" - Muslims, Jews and Christians -are all the children of Abraham and we share in many of the same prophets, as well as the same god. The great tragedy is that variations in religious doctrine has pitted brother against brother for centuries. Doctrine. __________________ "You can't ignore politics, no matter how much you'd like to." Molly Ivins - 1944-2007

12-12-2007, 09:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
skada Upright	Actally I am too amused at the similarities between the Jew, Islam and Christianity .. Is it just coincidence bec of geographic location ? __________________ No Signature

12-12-2007, 09:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	Abrahamic faiths... A pretty good article in Time Magazine a few years back... http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ar...3355-2,00.html __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

12-12-2007, 09:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
Elphaba Deja Moo Location: Olympic Peninsula, WA	Thanks, Cyn. That article explained the relationships very well to me. __________________ "You can't ignore politics, no matter how much you'd like to." Molly Ivins - 1944-2007

12-12-2007, 10:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
Hain has a plan Location: middle of Whywouldanyonebethere	Muslim or not, Askari did the right thing. Just goes to show that man can treat others like human beings regardless of religion, creed, color, etc. I think this puts too much focus on the fact that it was a Muslim that helped Jews, and not someone that stood up against many to do what was right. I wish that those punks are tried for hate crimes. I wish those punks could be tried for being ignorant and inhumane... but the world could be even more of a fucked up place if my wishes were given. No joke. @Cynthetiq: Good read. __________________ ////\\// IRONSKY.NET \\//\\\\

12-12-2007, 09:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
jorgelito All important elusive independent swing voter... Location: People's Republic of KKKalifornia	I think that it goes both ways though and produces reactionary responses. I think there was a bit of the ridiculous war on Christmas at first, blew out of control, fanned by the media, people reacted to it and fed into it, and now that the pendulum has shifted so far to one side, it may have begun to start swinging the other way. I think in time it will all calm down and not be such a big deal. That's the crazy thing about the Abrahamic faith isn't it. Like a family squabble gone horribly wrong. That's why I like stories like this one. It shows that we can transcend the nonsense. I wish the media would spend more time on stories like this rather than fan the flames of hatred.

12-13-2007, 12:51 PM	#14 (permalink)
Strange Famous follower of the child's crusade?	people of the book... __________________ "Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate, for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain without being uncovered." The Gospel of Thomas

12-13-2007, 06:27 PM	#15 (permalink)
jorgelito All important elusive independent swing voter... Location: People's Republic of KKKalifornia	Glad to see that people are more open minded then the media makes us out to be. I thought this article was a nice counter balance to the "Muslim Father Kills Daughter" thread. Interesting to see how drastically different these two threads are and how little interest there is in a thread about a Muslim doing a good deed versus a thread than a thread about a Muslim doing a bad thing.

12-13-2007, 07:12 PM	#16 (permalink)
Elphaba Deja Moo Location: Olympic Peninsula, WA	Hey, did I say I was done having an opinion on this? The article you shared with us is getting more and more traction in the press, maybe because it's a feel good holiday tale. I think it represents more than that on several levels. We are not savage bastards simply by congregating at a train station. Leaders emerge and rise above the pack mentality. __________________ "You can't ignore politics, no matter how much you'd like to." Molly Ivins - 1944-2007

12-13-2007, 07:33 PM	#17 (permalink)
Ustwo Pissing in the cornflakes	Couple of observations. First that guys girlfriend is WAY to hot for him and unless red hair is now a Jewish thing, not Jewish. Second, kudos to Hassan Askari, that took balls. Apparently there were other Jews on the train that didn't help, I'd like to hear a more neutral account. The only reason this is a story of course is the religions involved. Guy helps guy getting beat up on subway doesn't warrant a headline in the media. On the other hand a Muslim helping a Jew instead of killing them or denouncing them does. That says quite a bit. __________________ Agents of the enemies who hold office in our own government, who attempt to eliminate our "freedoms" and our "right to know" are posting among us, I fear.....on this very forum. - host Obama - Know a Man by the friends he keeps.

12-13-2007, 07:49 PM	#18 (permalink)
pocon1 Banned	nothing to say Last edited by pocon1; 07-06-2008 at 11:42 AM..

12-13-2007, 08:33 PM	#20 (permalink)
JustJess Unencapsulated Location: Kittyville	Wow, I guess you don't know many Jews.. like pocon said, red hair is pretty common. Fire red, too, not just auburn. __________________ My heart knows me better than I know myself, so I'm gonna let it do all the talkin'.