New England Regional Muslim Cemetery – updates
As of last night (2/24/10) the public hearing in Inland Wetlands & Watercourses continues in Canterbury. The meeting/hearing was at Dr. Helen Baldwin Middle School, not Woodstock or Brooklyn Middle School or elsewhere for that matter.
The applicant’s representative, Mark Sullivan apoligized to the crowd and announced that due to receiving late questions, he would be unable to comment/respond at this meeting. While he may have believed the meeting would be truncated, it continued as scheduled for the residents & board.
Resident (and abutter) Ray Sulich pretty much summed up the efforts of residents to date (research, alternate soil scientist review, World Health Organization concerns).
Many others requested an Environmental Impact Study.
A gentleman from Groton, Mr. Sohaib Kidwai asked if our real concern was the environment or “something else”. He stated that if oil were found in this property, that we would have no concerns and drilling would commence.
Sorry Sohaib, not true. In fact, if you’re going to make accusations, ask the CCM about calling us Kufar.
The CCM’s facebook page states, “We will all die one day and we as muslims need to make sure that we are buried properly and not like kufar.”
From Wiki, the definition of Kufar (numerous spelling options) –
Kafir (Arabic: كافر kāfir; plural كفّار kuffār) is an Arabic word meaning “
” or “
“; also the term “Kuffar” (singular “Kafir”) is used to refer to
(أَعْجَبَ الْكُفَّارَ نَبَاتُهُ) (Surah 57 Al-Hadid (Iron) Ayah 20;[2]) as they till earth and “cover up” seeds; the term “Kufr” means “to cover up” – this is why earth tillers are referred to as “Kuffar.” In the Islamic doctrinal sense, the term refers to a person who does not recognize God (Allah) or the prophethood of Muhammad (i.e., any non-Muslim) or who hides, denies, or covers the “truth”. The Quran also uses the word for Muslims; in Sura 2 Verse 256, it asks them to take upon themselves the action of “Kofr” of all unjust idols, persons or powers. It is usually translated into English as “unbeliever”, “ungrateful” or “obliterator.”
.[1]
rejecter
ingrate
peasants
In recent times, the term is seen as derogatory, which is why some Muslim scholars discourage its use and suggest the term “non-Muslim” instead
At some point, the applicants will have to consider if the costs and suitability of the land suggest that they move forward.
One resident suggested that they look at other areas in town more suitable, perhaps even gaining access to an existing cemetery where the environmental impact would be minimal.
I don’t feel like a Kufr. Talk about not having tolerance for others that are not like you….. man oh man.
1In all fairness and in the interest of this case, I would ask (were I in your shoes), in writing, and demand a response, again in writing, whether this was the understanding of your position or not.
2Not sure I understand what you’re saying Dan.
3