News

Islamic group schedules rally, prayer vigil to remember 9/11

By LYNNETTE CURTIS
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Posted: Sep. 10, 2010 | 12:00 a.m.
Updated: Sep. 10, 2010 | 9:19 a.m.

Local Muslims and members of the interfaith community will gather Saturday to "rally for peace" and pray for victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that took place nine years ago.

The rally and prayer vigil will begin at noon in front of the Lloyd George U.S. Courthouse, 333 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

The Islamic Society of Nevada for eight years has held a 9/11 prayer vigil at a Las Vegas mosque but decided it was important this year to make the event more public, said Aslam Abdullah, the group's director.

"We have to come out and demonstrate to people that we are no different than they are in condemning terrorism."

Controversy over a proposal to build an Islamic cultural center and mosque near the ground zero site of the 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City has inflamed anti-Muslim sentiment, he said. And media attention on a Florida minister's plan to burn copies of the Quran on Saturday has helped perpetuate unfair representations of Islam, he said.

"A general impression is being created that Muslims can't be trusted, are unpatriotic and do not belong here," Abdullah said.

Karen Boyett, executive director of the Interfaith Council of Southern Nevada, which plans to participate in Saturday's rally, said she is troubled by the misinformation that those such as the Florida pastor are able to spread.

"The media can really do a better job of focusing on the parts of our culture and community that support pluralism and not fringe people who have so much misunderstanding and ignorance," Boyett said. "As a religious person, it's my obligation to stand up for people who are being oppressed for their religion."

Abdullah hopes Saturday's event will help show the Muslim community "as a peaceful community that stands against terrorism."

About 100 people are expected to attend.

Comments

Registration Notice: The Review-Journal has implemented a new registration procedure that requires all existing and new accounts to validate and login using Facebook. Visit the Registration FAQ for more information.
Terms & Conditions

The following comments are provided by readers and are the sole responsiblity of the authors. The Review-Journal does not review comments before publication nor guarantee their accuracy. By publishing a comment here you agree to abide by the comment policy. If you see a comment that violates the policy, please use the Report Abuse button.

Some comments may not display immediately due to an automatic filter. These comments will be reviewed within 24 hours. Please do not submit a comment more than once.

Note: Comments made by reporters and editors of the Las Vegas Review-Journal are presented with a yellow background.

  1. SteveF8 Sep. 10, 2010 | 11:15 a.m. Report Abuse

    Why are muslims allowed to burn the bible but we can't burn their hate filled quran?

  2. Ima.tired of the lies Sep. 10, 2010 | 8:07 a.m. Report Abuse

    Our President and Leaders of the Senate and the House all says it is ok for Other Religous Org. to BURN OUR FLAG & Iffiogy and demean America but Its not OK for WE THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA TO STAND UP FOR OUR BELIEFS. They will Pray for the Murders and sing in joy of 9-11. Our leaders are pitiful and a Vote for the Incumbet is a Vote for the Death Of America.

  3. GARY D Sep. 10, 2010 | 7:36 a.m. Report Abuse

    Why, -9- years after 3,000+ innocent souls were "MURDERED BY ISLAM" do they want a rally for peace ??? ------ Hey Las Vegas / America - do you want to see what Islam's real agenda is ??? Go to Youtube / take 7 1/2 minutes and watch "MUSLIM DEMOGRAPHICS" --- if this doesn't wake you up "NOTHING WILL"

  4. Rightwinger11 Sep. 10, 2010 | 4:39 a.m. Report Abuse

    Don't be fooled. They're not praying for "OUR" victims. Rather for the Martyrs that perished at the controls of the 747's. What a crock of s***! I would sooner believe something O'Bama says....

Friday, May 25, 2012
Overcast Overcast, 79° Weather Forecast