So Somebody Tried to Blow Up My Mosque Last Night...

[umsami]

I'm really disturbed by it. I mean, I know there's a lot of hate towards Muslims out there. I know that after any sort of incident, we're more of a target. I get verbally attacked from time to time. But still, it has me a bit freaked out, even though Thank God nobody was hurt. I drop my kids off there every Sunday for Sunday school. It's not like there is more than one mosque in Jacksonville--I can't shop around.

I really hope that there's another explanation for the explosion/fire--but it doesn't look like it. What would you do?? Would you keep sending your kids to Sunday School--assuming that maybe the cops may be more on the alert? Just take them out and wait until the new session starts next Fall?? It's sort of the same debate I face after I'm attacked when I'm wearing hijab...as to take off my hijab or not. Yet, this isn't about me... it's about my kids... KWIM?

BTW, you're forgiven if you didn't know. It's not like it's getting any coverage outside of Florida. http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/fea...ue-firebombed/

[Rico'sAlice]

I don't know what you should do, I just wanted to say how sorry I am that this happened.

[hotmamacita]

I am thankful that everyone is okay. I pray they find the person(s) responsible.

[fierrbugg]

That's just completely awful. As you said, thank God, no one was hurt. idk either what you should do w/ the kids - on the one hand, it's frightening and you want to know exactly what happened, on the other hand - should you stop living your life as you choose, because of the actions of some disturbed criminal(s)?

[lolar2]

I am so sorry.

I think I'd probably stop sending my kid until the police caught the perpetrator or were fairly sure he had moved on to another city. But I'm not the world's most faithful churchgoer and I'm rather risk-averse. (Descended from people who fled religious persecution, rather than stand up to it, so I guess that instinct runs in the family.) Also I'd still send whatever contribution to the mosque I'd normally send them, if that is in some way tied to Sunday School.

[onlyboys]

I'm IN Florida and I haven't heard anything about it.

I am so sorry. My church is like my 2nd home, so I can imagine that you are feeling very displaced and horrified by this act of hatred against your mosque and your faith.

I would probably continue going, just be on heightened alert and ensure that I listen very closely to my intuition. Peace.

[happysmileylady]

I am so sorry. And you are right, it's not being covered elsewhere, I hadn't heard a single thing. Especially given what happened in Time Square, I think that should mean that it's covered even more, as a denouncement of retaliation and explaination of the difference between the radicals, fanaticals, etc and those "normal" Muslims who are just like the rest of the US trying to live and work and raise their kids.

As for what you "should" do, well, that's hard to say, I think it's a really personal decision. It is my personal opinion that I don't raise my own children as a "social statement" so I would avoid sending them there at least until they catch the guy/are sure he's moved on to other locations. By "social statement" I mean that I think it's really important to stand up for what you believe in and not let the terrorists win by showing them that you are terrified. So if it was just you, I would say to ignore the situation. But when my kids are involved, all social issues are out the door. I admire the black families that stood up for their rights during the 60s, sending their kids to school among violence and threats of violence. But I couldn't bring myself to send my kid to a situation that I felt was a high risk of danger like that.

[lolar2]

Oh, I remembered something. In the 60s, my current (predominantly-white) church had joint youth group meetings with Martin Luther King's church. When some segregationists threatened to attack the meetings, they vastly stepped up volunteer security; the whole building where the meeting was, was surrounded by parent volunteers. (Or something like that; I wasn't born yet, but that's the gist that I was told.) That might not be adequate protection nowadays, but I bet there might be some other religious groups who would be willing to help with lending out volunteer security personnel and equipment. Maybe the police could suggest what would be most successful type of security based on your mosque's location and architecture.

[KempsMama]

I am so sorry this happened.

You and your faith community will be in our prayers.

[umsami]

Thanks everybody.

So, now they're saying that some guy came into the mosque on April 4th and told us all to stop blaspheming or some such thing... but he was basically escorted out. I have no idea if it was the same guy or not. But I sort of wish I had known about Mr. Blasphemy, because that may have made me think twice about sending my kids the past few Sundays. The mosque became much more visible as an Islamic institution over the past year or so, as after 30 years, they finally finished their big dome on top as well as the little tower that is used for the call to prayer (just decoration, as far as I can tell, though). Before that, I'm guessing people wouldn't even know that there was a mosque there unless they were reading the sign on the side of the road.

We had a big issue a few weeks back in Jacksonville, where this professor at the local University, who was also a Fulbright scholar, was nominated to the local human rights committee--and there was a lot of controversy over nominating him and such. He did eventually make it in--but I'm wondering if that all plays a part. Even with all that, in general, 99% of the community is pretty tolerant. I mean, our mosque is right across the street from a giant pentecostal church... and for years, they used to let us use their parking lot. No trouble. Of course, just like Muslim nut-jobs, it just takes one, I guess.

I think, for now, I am going to keep my kids out. We'll enjoy God's creation outside of the mosque. Who knows, maybe this will inspire my husband to actually teach the kids some Arabic rather than hoping that they somehow acquire it by eating falafel and hummus. Trust me, after a lifetime of both, my Arabic has not improved at all.

[Magelet]

I'm sorry.

[kittywitty]

Wow. That is terrible. And how infuriating is the lack of press coverage?

I might stop sending them for a couple of weeks until they have a suspect. I would assume there would not be a second attack just what I have seen of other attacks of various organizations on the news.

[Liquesce]

Bloody hell. I'm really sorry your community has to deal with that, umsami. I would probably pull my kids out too, though waffling a bit on that is totally understandable.

(And I hear Arabic is better absorbed via shwarma anyway. )

[Purple*Lotus]

I am so sorry that happened I am so glad that everyone is okay!

[blessedwithboys]

it was just on channel 9, along with the video of the guy with the gas can. so sorry you have to deal with this.

[liza-s]

I'm sorry. I "missed" a bombing b/c of a migraine - I struggled then as to whether I should frequent that location again or not. Adding kids definitely adds another dimension to it - but I'd do the same as you and keep them out of Sunday school for a bit.

Can you meet with some other families from the sunday school program at a different location. After all, a faith community is not about the building used.

[merpk]

So sorry to hear about this. It thoroughly sucks.

Originally Posted by umsami

What would you do?? Would you keep sending your kids to Sunday School--assuming that maybe the cops may be more on the alert? Just take them out and wait until the new session starts next Fall?? It's sort of the same debate I face after I'm attacked when I'm wearing hijab...as to take off my hijab or not. Yet, this isn't about me... it's about my kids... KWIM?

I wouldn't take them out at all. You can't stop your life from fear of stray psychos. Do that and sooner or later you'll just end up spending your life cowering under the table.

In NYC many of the synagogues have full-time protection, and sometimes how much you'll have to contribute to the cost of full-time security is part of the decision of which shul to join/go to. Some of them even had cement barricades. That didn't stop the various attackers from attacking them, unfortunately, but at least it made us feel like we were being proactive instead of just being sitting ducks, or acting like victims, you know?

[artgoddess]

Wow. I am so sorry, I can't imagine how awful this must feel. I'm so glad no one was hurt. I don't know what I would do in your position.

[Shami]

What an evil, cowardly act. I can't imagine how you and your family are feeling.
Are your kids afraid to go back, or do they even know what happened? I think I would find another location to meet for just a little while until it all settles down.
OTOH, it would depend on what my husband felt as well as the leader/s of your Mosque.
I hope they catch the creep and put him away.

[_ktg_]

Oh my goodness! s to you and your family. What a terribly cowardly act by someone. I hope they catch the person(s) responsible for this hate crime. Where did religious freedom and tolerance go these days? Especially for a religion about peace.

Re: keeping kids in or out of the classes there, I would see what the leaders are putting together for safety and security plans, and see if you feel comfortable with what they are doing.

s again to you mama and I hope you stay safe & strong!