[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by phoenixdesi: *
The problem is that whoever mentions a word jihad in his conversation is labeled as a terrorist these days.
[/QUOTE]
But who is to blame for that? If enough people claimed they were "playing Scrabble" when they blew up and beheaded innocent people, people would become wary of Scrabble players everywhere and probably even refer to them as terrorists.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Seminole: *
But who is to blame for that? If enough people claimed they were "playing Scrabble" when they blew up and beheaded innocent people, people would become wary of Scrabble players everywhere and probably even refer to them as terrorists.
[/QUOTE]
Jeez Seminole. Read your own post in your free time, and even you will get a chuckle out of it. This is way too rediculous. Anyway, so one person can't come to US because he is deemed a security threat. Ok. Other than the fact, that is just shows the level of paranoia of Americans, no harm done. I will be more concerned about innocent people thrown in jail or sent to Gitmo, than a millionaire singer not permitted to enter US.
^ The problem is that given the tense security situation, no one wants to take risks.
There was a Pakistani guy who used to live in Queens, NY. After 9/11 he went to Pakistan for a visit and was filmed by an American TV crew. He told them that he'd happily blow up US buildings and called for "Death to America" and the usual rants. The problem was that a year or so later, he did try to enter the U.S and plot to blow up buildings and is now in jail.
The people in America's security establishment have to deal with these types of incidents. If you had such a job, would you treat people who go abroad and call for violent jihad with benefit of doubt? Or would you take no chances? If you were lenient on one guy and he happened to blow himself up and kill a few Americans, what do you think will happen to you?
If people are outraged by Cat Stevens being denied entry and such, please try and tell that to those who live in liberal nations like U.K or in Islamic nations where not a day goes by without rallies calling for killing kafirs. You cannot excercise your right to talk hate and then expect to be welcomed into Western nations. How many minutes would Salman Rushdie survive were he to land up in Karachi?
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Faisal: *
Jeez Seminole. Read your own post in your free time, and even you will get a chuckle out of it.
[/QUOTE]
Yes, quite a jeu d'esprit.
If people who have never heard of Scrabble, but only knew of it in the context where very fervent players claimed they were killing innocents as they were ordered to do in the Official Rules of Scrabble, people would become suspicous of Scrabble, Scrabble players, the Rules and even Hasbro. Some would even label all Scrabble players (even those whose interpretation of the Rules did not call for killing innocents) as terrorists.
dunn make it right though.
'Nuff said
Hah, Laughable.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Kaleem: *
Dont worry Phoenix desi, he is (Talwar) disgruntled hindu on a paki website. He needs to get his potshots in every chance he gets, he has nothing better to do in his life but try to mock islam so he can feel better about himself.
[/QUOTE]
yarr keleem, our Indians friend are more than welcome at this forum. It provides all of us an excellent opportunity to understand each other’s viewpoint. It also reflects the openness of this forum and indicates how welcoming Pakistani people are.In addition, it adds some extra flavor to the discussion.
However, the key is to make sure that all sensitive posts or claims should be based on reliable sources with no “malicious tone”. Of course, it applies to all of us. Only then, we can expect a productive discussion.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Talwar: *
He once publicly called for the killing of any British TV journalist who dares to dramatize Salman Rushdie's book...you know.
[/QUOTE]
Yeah, he did all that, but I think he apologized for that didnt he?
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Spock: *
Yeah, he did all that, but I think he apologized for that didnt he?
[/QUOTE]
i think he did but i am not sure...i recall reading this somewhere....but like i said i am not sure....
Surprisingly, he wasnt considered a risk in May 2004, when they let him in. :)
Comical !
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Spock: *
Yeah, he did all that, but I think he apologized for that didnt he?
[/QUOTE]
I'm not sure about that. But the key factor in his deportation was some dubious transactions made by his charity agency. I know this looks like and probably was a knee-jerk reaction, but after 9/11 even if all you do is make some speeches due to excess of josh, you might land up in trouble in the US. It doesn't make it right, but from a point of view of the Homeland Security person(s), this is the safer option.
Let me put it this way. In the midst of the 2002 crisis in South Asia, let us say some foreigner tried to enter Pakistan after he was observed interacting with Indian military officials. Wouldn't the guy be immediately escorted into an ISI interrogation room and probably deported if something slightly suspicious is found? Same goes for India too, I must add.
The point is that the U.S is in a war mode, at least from the security agencies' viewpoint. No threat will be taken lightly now. That is context of this deportation.
Maybe 20 years from now Americans might recall this incident and laugh at themselves. May be.
Re: Cat Stevens denied entry to US!
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by legbreakgoogly: *
Apparently, Cat is a security risk!
Thats a laugh! They didnt even say why he's considered a risk!
......
[/QUOTE]
Cool down man. The leftie senator Ted Kennedy was on the same list. These are difficult times for everyone.
The war between terrorist Munkees and the anti-anarchists is at its peak. The lists get updated on daily basis. Who knows if a MAToo with the same name showed up on the radar screen somewhere on Mars.
Only citizens have the right to enter a country. No need to speculate on why one Mullah was denied entry in NY. Not a big deal.
Pakistan too can deny entry to a suspect Biddu.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Umer: *
The refusal to allow Singer Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens United States on national security grounds was a "slap in the face of sanity," a Muslim group has said.
[/QUOTE]
Could not have put it in better words myself.
Aw man.. these are the kind of ****ing idiots we're dealing with.
They bitch and moan "Where are all the moderate Muslims!"
Well, apparently they're getting deported.
At least we know INS/DHS is awake part of the time. Now if only they knew what the hell they were doing.
Britain has officially complained the the USA about Mr Islam’s deportation. The Foreign Minister, Jack Straw, has told US secretary of state Colin Powell that this should not have happened.
Exactly. My Islam is the second moderate Muslim to be denied entrance by the USA, following the revocation of the visa of Tariq Ramadan, who was due to take up a professorship at Notre Dame.
It is increasingly obvious that the Bush regime is following a policy intended to blithely deny the existence of moderate Islam that does not agree with US foreign interests.
The problem, dear friends, is that the 19 9/11 highjackers to all outward appearances would have looked, acted and presented themselves as "moderate" Muslims. When a machine is created that can see evil in ones heart, then this task will be simple. Until then, the company that one keeps may say more than the words coming out of ones mouth.
When you discover an absolutely foolproof method for determining a persons true intentions, please let us know.......
To all those secular and moderate muslims whatever that is, this is another confirmation that you are a target and the likes of Amerikkka and Britain sees you as an enemy so you better realise the reality around you and stop living in a fantasy land where you think the west is all about peace and wants to live in peace this is a myth they wish to dominate and force you into acepting thier every whim and desire no matter what it takes.
and in the case of this brother he has been publicy humiliated because he is politcally motivated and has ability to do actions for fellow muslims around the world like giving money to the poor which is a crime according to the amerikkkan intelligence agencies!
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Ohioguy: *
The problem, dear friends, is that the 19 9/11 highjackers to all outward appearances would have looked, acted and presented themselves as "moderate" Muslims. When a machine is created that can see evil in ones heart, then this task will be simple. Until then, the company that one keeps may say more than the words coming out of ones mouth.
When you discover an absolutely foolproof method for determining a persons true intentions, please let us know.......
[/QUOTE]
I'd say a history of being one of the most peaceful hippies ever known could override that consideration. Not to mention he's moderately famous. If they can do a financial bio they should take at least a little initiative to to a personal bio and figure that he'd be a measured risk worth taking.. considering the alternative is just dumb.
What is it with all the absolutism in you guys?? If you screw up, don't pretend that perfection is the only remedy and that gets you off the hook. It isn't. Simple common sense and a at least few bureaucrats who aren't lazy sacks of ****. That's all this takes. Not any foolproof system.
" If you screw up"
3000 people get killed. That kind of mandates absoluteism.
No doubt somebody looked at the financial records of some dubious Islamic charity and his name showed up. More than likely no one knew it was really "Cat Stevens". Teddy Kennedy was on the same list! :)
The whole trouble with these "Islamic" charities is that they may or may not contribute to terrorism, and the motives of the giver could swing either way. It does serve as an object lesson. If you believe that a "charity" is perfectly innocent, and you continue to give despite warnings form the US government, you may well get consequences that you do not like.
Bottom line, he is not a US citizen, and he has no particular right to travel here. He can ride on his Peace Train somewhere else....
So the end result of this will be that only non-Muslim US citizens are allowed to travel to the US? 