Someone nearby is sending a message to Muslems
Fire near Islamic Center `suspicious'
Kim Sloan
kimsloan@daltoncitizen.com
The Dalton Islamic Center is offering a $2,000 reward for information as to what caused an unoccupied home on their property to burn early Christmas morning.
The fire that destroyed the three-bedroom brick home is being called "suspicious," said Whitfield County Fire Chief Carl Collins. The home sits several yards off Dug Gap Road and there was no power connected to the home at the time of the fire.
"We have no choice but to believe this is a message someone is sending," said Hammad El-Ameen, president of the Dalton Islamic Center.
Graffiti was found inside the burned home including one drawing that said, "(Expletive) don't come in here."
Residents crowded the Whitfield County Courthouse in 2005 opposing plans for the mosque, saying they thought the mosque would cause traffic problems. After tabling the issue, the Whitfield County Commission gave approval to building plans.
El-Ameen said the past opposition is why he believes someone may have targeted the home. Construction began on the mosque around the beginning of December.
"We don't want to start pointing figures," El-Ameen said. "Nothing happened when there was no construction. This only began when construction started."
Many of the mosque's neighbors have embraced them, El-Ameen said. Fellowship Baptist Church, which is located next door to the mosque, held an ice cream social for the group.
"We've had a lot of positive comments from people," El-Ameen said.
Capt. Rick Swiney of the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office said he was not aware of any threats made toward the group.
The Dalton Islamic Center currently meets on McAfee Street and has outgrown their current space, El-Ameen said.
"It can't hold us anymore," he said. "People stand and look for a seat."
About 80 people currently attend services. The new building is expected to be completed by August or September and will hold about 300 people, El-Ameen said.
Anyone with information on the fire can call El-Ameen at (706) 459-1010.
Kim Sloan
kimsloan@daltoncitizen.com
The Dalton Islamic Center is offering a $2,000 reward for information as to what caused an unoccupied home on their property to burn early Christmas morning.
The fire that destroyed the three-bedroom brick home is being called "suspicious," said Whitfield County Fire Chief Carl Collins. The home sits several yards off Dug Gap Road and there was no power connected to the home at the time of the fire.
"We have no choice but to believe this is a message someone is sending," said Hammad El-Ameen, president of the Dalton Islamic Center.
Graffiti was found inside the burned home including one drawing that said, "(Expletive) don't come in here."
Residents crowded the Whitfield County Courthouse in 2005 opposing plans for the mosque, saying they thought the mosque would cause traffic problems. After tabling the issue, the Whitfield County Commission gave approval to building plans.
El-Ameen said the past opposition is why he believes someone may have targeted the home. Construction began on the mosque around the beginning of December.
"We don't want to start pointing figures," El-Ameen said. "Nothing happened when there was no construction. This only began when construction started."
Many of the mosque's neighbors have embraced them, El-Ameen said. Fellowship Baptist Church, which is located next door to the mosque, held an ice cream social for the group.
"We've had a lot of positive comments from people," El-Ameen said.
Capt. Rick Swiney of the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office said he was not aware of any threats made toward the group.
The Dalton Islamic Center currently meets on McAfee Street and has outgrown their current space, El-Ameen said.
"It can't hold us anymore," he said. "People stand and look for a seat."
About 80 people currently attend services. The new building is expected to be completed by August or September and will hold about 300 people, El-Ameen said.
Anyone with information on the fire can call El-Ameen at (706) 459-1010.
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I know some here who would like to send the same message to the Jews, and others who would like to send the message to the Christians. Either you have religious freedom for all, or none. How many will admit they would prefer none? 0 -
Ever heard of Nauvoo, Illinois? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by chrishiher
Ever heard of Nauvoo, Illinois?
No, what about it?0
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