World

Why do Muslims come to America, asks US school board chairperson

Virginia school board chairperson says she had not shared the post ‘maliciously’

Web Desk September 18, 2015

Christie New Craig (Screenshot/10 On Your Side)

Virginia school board chairperson has caused an uproar after posting an anti-Muslim cartoon on Facebook, questioning why Muslims wanted to come to America.

The post read, “Muslims hate pork, beer, dogs, bikinis, Jesus, and freedom of speech. My question is, what the hell do they come to America for?!” The controversial meme, which was shared from the Facebook group, The Conservative Hammer, has since been taken down.

Screengrab from Council on American-Islamic Relations Facebook

Read: Muslim student arrested in US after home-built clock mistaken for bomb

Christie New Craig, chair of the Chesapeake School Board and the chief of staff to state Senator John A Cosgrove Jr (R-Chesapeake), told The Virginian-Pilot that she had not shared the post ‘maliciously’ and that she did not mean to offend anyone when she shared the cartoon on August 4.

“I’m not racist. I wasn’t raised that way,” Craig said.

The City of Chesapeake School Board and Public Schools released a statement on Thursday afternoon, which read, “A recent social media post has resulted in some concern voiced by an advocacy group indicating its representation of a segment of the community. This post has had no effect on our commitment to maintaining equal opportunity and non-discrimination standards.”

The issue of the post was raised the same week that a Muslim student Ahmed Mohamed was arrested in Texas after bringing a home-built clock to school, which his teacher mistook for a bomb. The teenager was arrested and taken to the police headquarters for questioning. He was later released, but the incident was widely reported by the media and was even taken notice of by the US president Barack Obama and other high-profile names such as Hillary Clinton and Mark Zuckerberg.

Read: Obama invites arrested Muslim schoolboy to White House

Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) spokesperson, Ibrahim Hooper, said both the incidents revealed that anti-Muslim sentiment were rising in the US and had even extended to public schools. Commenting on the cartoon, he said that it was bigoted and inaccurate, since Muslims regarded Jesus with the utmost respect.

He further added that the cartoon, “Reinforces this notion that the Muslim community is a foreign implant. We’re not foreign to America. We’re Americans. We’re productive citizens here. We’re Americans just like anybody else.”

CAIR has called for an apology as well as ‘some kind of action to ensure that these kind of bigoted views are not translated into policies that impact Muslim students in the district.’

This article originally appeared on The Washington Post

COMMENTS (58)

VINOD | 8 years ago | Reply @syed & syed: Please spare the Indians from this remark of the lady she is directly talking about YOU. We in India believe that she is right and has reasons for her remarks.

Roshan | 8 years ago | Reply Someone please tell this lady that we respect jesus more than they do . we are living in a paranoid world where hate is flourished and love is kept secret as it has got no value .

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syed & syed | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistanis and Indians go to the country of RED INDIANS. Europeans invaded and illegally captured the land. Pakistanis/Indians started going to America after world war and started terrorism , breaking and making countries like Israel.

Mezi | 8 years ago | Reply @asad zaidi. 1. "We love Jesus". Love it's followers. No more attacks on Pakistani Christians. "We are not against freedom of speech" Abolish Death penalty for frivolous cases of blasphemy agianst ahmedis,non Muslims. 2."We are agianst hate speech" Never saw any court action on hourly hate speech against hindus/hinduism by panelist,media etc. No matter if it offends pakistani hindus. "We don't eat pork" "however everyone can choose its religion" Eating pork and alcohol allowed is not allowed in pakistan, wearing western mini cloths or bikini not allowed. That's not freedom. "Whites invaded looted, killed, made slaves red indians" Iran was zorastrian, bharat Varsha- india which stretched from Gupta/Maurya Kingdom-afganistan to india was hindu. Parsis of iran Were given option by Islamic invaders Convert or leave land if not Die by sword. Those who left for india are still following their religion(zoarastrians) and have preserved text of their prosecution in Persia. Meanwhile afganistan,pakistan followed same iran route and are now islamic countries. They were enthnicity same as their older religion counterparts who still exist in neighbour countries - "same ethnicities" punjabis,Sindhis,Gujaratis etc or Parsis and shia Iranian. They are not native Arabic speakers like invaders, but converts.

AA | 8 years ago | Reply Muslim came to America for the same reasons Irish, Italian, Dutch and others came, better their lives with fortunes of New Land, and the Land of Free. The first Islamic Sunday School was established in Ohio in 1906. In 1915 what is most likely the first American mosque was founded by Albanian Muslims in Biddeford, Maine.

VINOD | 8 years ago | Reply @Parvez: PLEASE ANY ONE ANSWER THE POINT RAISED BY PARVEZ>

VINOD | 8 years ago | Reply No one has dared to answer questions raised many a times on this board.1. Why, most of the Muslim countries are in such a mess all over the world?2. Why, whenever crisis hits in countries like Syria or Iraq etc. their people do not rush to more than 50 Muslim countries around the world and instead descend all over Europe, America or Australia? 3. Why do not the refugees go and stay with brother Muslim countries and enjoy the peace of common religion, culture, customs and food which is superior to every other culture and faith?Please some one answer.

Parvez | 8 years ago | Reply 3rd attempt at a comment : Would some brave person HONESTLY answer the question that the lady has asked.

Travis | 8 years ago | Reply Muslims go to the West because meat is cheap there. So cheap that they can eat all the meat they want with the dole money alone.

equal justice | 8 years ago | Reply In such a case only Leaders, Politicians & Rulers of Muslim countries should be allowed to enter US.lol!

VINOD | 8 years ago | Reply @Arif: In spite of all what you say Muslims do not gel with any idea or culture except their own.

VINOD | 8 years ago | Reply However much we argue the truth is that Muslims do have a great tendency to stick together, are shy to mix with the locals and refuse to accept a more open, liberal and varied society. They feel threatened that by touch of western culture their children will get polluted. Living examples are Sharia Zones in UK.

Kamran | 8 years ago | Reply If you think about it, she does have a point....if muslims want to cover themselves up in veils and not adapt the culture of their host country then they shouldn't come at all.

PeaceMaker | 8 years ago | Reply Muslims are "takers". They give little but want the entire world on a platter. I just wish they are made to change by somebody.

someone | 8 years ago | Reply Thats a very valid question. The Muslims across the World hate the Great Satan. The culture of US and that of Muslims are two extreme. Then why do Muslims flock to US and Europe. Muslims have made a mess of their own countries and now would cause issue in US and Europe.

Freeman | 8 years ago | Reply Why do so many Blogs here are started by one-off incidents like these? Are newspapers so eager to fill up space and gin up passions and controversies where none exist? Shows inferiority complex.

Freeman | 8 years ago | Reply @Julie Kahn: Where do you get that gem? Perhaps it might have been true before 9/11, but not now. We've seen how dangerous it is to live among many (20%?) Muslims who have no loyalty to the adopted country. All increase in Muslim populations are due to breeding by Muslim populations, not conversions. As a matter of fact, the Syrian migrants trying to force their way into Europe (and not Pakistan, Iran, Saudi arabia, UAE are telling authorities they are Christian or converts to Christianity. So desperate that they'd lie.

Freeman | 8 years ago | Reply @Prada: You are being too logical and using facts. Most Pakistanis probably think Hindus and other Indinas stole Islamic lands.

Freeman | 8 years ago | Reply @Asad Zaidi: Ill you be willing to sport a license plate saying, "I Lobe Jesus" in Pakistan. See how far you will go unmolested. And speaking of Jesus, are you willing to defend Jesus's divinity as Christians do? Try that in Pakistan and see how long you will be allowed to live.

Freeman | 8 years ago | Reply @shahid: Why not ask this question of the migrants from Syria, Iraq, and Eritrea (s well as countless other places) trying to force themselves into Europe and not Pakistan and Saudi Arabia? Please, do not go there and enjoy your superior culture and the rest. We are happy without you and your kind in our midst.

Freeman | 8 years ago | Reply @Ali: If that is true then you are a Christian!

Amer Zafar Durrani | 8 years ago | Reply Folks, the lady has every right to say what she wants. Part of the spirit of freedom enshrined in the US constitution by its founding fathers. For me, I thought about when did the first Muslim arrive in America? How did Islam spread alongside other religions in America? What are the geographic patterns of this evolving settlement? I wanted answers to this and many similar questions. It never occurred to me that one lady's outburst, no matter how representative of the mainstream should incite a Muslim outrage! In fact, for me it is a cause for introspection. Do that and remember that here in Pakistan, most of the people around me are not even willing to tolerate other Muslims, let alone people of other religions and beliefs. All power to the lady for making us realize that we think less and less and want more and more. With love, from the land of the pure and plenty.

ask | 8 years ago | Reply From a literalist's standpoint: rather humiliating to Americans if pork, beer, dogs, bikini,Jesus and freedom to insult (may be some more in similar vein) are all that make up life in US of A.

myth buster | 8 years ago | Reply @John: You got the history totally wrong India is still 80% Hindu country not because Invaders were just and Merciful.Merciful. Truth is Invaders were never able to conquer all of India at any time. Hindus kept fighting and resisted them throughout the history from Rana Pratap to Shivaji and Guru tegbahadur but there were some who choose to convert in face of death. Look all over the world wherever invaders went converted whole of the Nation into their religion, Iran was converted in Islam in just 15 years, Egypt got converted in 21 years. Similarly Europe got converted in 80 years in Christianity because they surrendered at their first Defeat.

VINOD | 8 years ago | Reply @Aamir - Toronto: So what are you doing there. Teaching them hatred and terrorism?

Mohammad | 8 years ago | Reply I have personal experience.. there are very few people in America who are racists or do not respect others.

SAEED AKHTAR | 8 years ago | Reply I thing most of the Muslims only impressed with their development and that is why they liked western. Muslims likes and respect Jesus and even in the democratic society everybody has the right to live his own life then what is issue.

Aahjiz BayNawa | 8 years ago | Reply I went to America for higher education. My children went there for the same reason, plus for acquiring expertise in their professions. Bikini, and bear stuff is personal. Muslims should not be offensive to what the people do around them. They should mind their own business. Most importantly offensive comments only hurts their cause of taking advantage of educational and other facilities that the US offers. But Muslim professionals just do not take advantage, they also serve America, including and especially doctors, and computer scientists, as well as engineers.

JSM | 8 years ago | Reply @Rollin & Trollin: Very interesting. We will like to see who succeeds.

Julie Kahn | 8 years ago | Reply The fastest growing religion in USA is Islam, mostly due to conversions. Muslims are not commins as fast as the locals are converting to ISLAM.

kashmiri | 8 years ago | Reply Muslim should understand and think why this is happening? Bcz Muslims forcing local people to change . you people shouting ALAH HO AKBAR in every rallies and scaring local people.its not about america you people disturbing locals everywhere.you people wanted to change othee people rather then changing youself

Rollin & Trollin | 8 years ago | Reply @JSM: They come to test their faith in God, albeit and notwithstanding, all the decadence and depravity of the Western influences bombarding them day in day out !

Jag Nathan | 8 years ago | Reply She just said "the emperor has no clothes". Millions of Americans I can assure you including many Senators and Congressmen silently agree with her.

wb | 8 years ago | Reply @Zafar: "Why did you people go to America. It was not your land. THe land belonged to the Red Indians. You lied to them, you took their fields, you took their forests, you lied the , you took their mountains." By similar logic, you're implying that Muslims want to lie to whites and then take their fields, forests, lie and take mountains. Sounds familiar? Another state where you did and continue to do the same? That starts with K?

John | 8 years ago | Reply @Prada: It happens all over the world, people change religions for one reason or the other. Whites carried out of genocide and cleansing of aborigines population anywhere they went be it Australia, US, or Canada. If the "Islamic Invaders" had done the same in India, you wouldn't be commenting here. So a very ill educated and ill informed comment my friend but I still believe you can do better, give it another try.

Prada | 8 years ago | Reply @Zafar: "And since Red Indians have no objection to the Muslims immigrating there, so Muslims will stay" By that logic, you should be asking the original settlers in India if the territory occupied by Islamic invaders should still be with them.

Asad Zaidi | 8 years ago | Reply 1) Muslims LoveJesus. 2) We are not against the freedom.pf speech but we are against hate speech and I'll stand against anyone who spoke in such manner, irrespective of religion. 3) We don't like pork, beer etc because we choose to follow our religion and everyine should be free to choose the religion he prefers as far as it does not hurts anyone. 4) Whites invaded the current U.S the land of red indians and looted them, killed them and made them slaves so why whites migrated. By yiur definition Americas should be free of whites.(

JSM | 8 years ago | Reply You can not answer a question with questions. The question raised by the school chairperson have to be answered.Will somebody do it?

Melanie wright | 8 years ago | Reply Muslims come because they believe in making halal money, and the corruption in Muslim countries forces people to participate in shady careers to make a good living. Also, the currency exchange helps families to get better living for relatives back home. Also, freedom to practice religion and lifestyle.

a | 8 years ago | Reply @shahid: "This is a very relevant and million dollar questions. Why do muslims want to settle in USA or western europe.." ... And the answer is: Te escape poverty, injustice and oppression in their home countries, to have a better life with better financial success. Where is the hypocrisy here? Do we have to love dogs and pork and beer to have that? well, pork and beer was brought here by europeans. Also we have don't hate dogs, hate to have hug and lick you

Arif | 8 years ago | Reply she is so ignorant. She thinks US has just these few things to offer. She does not know what America offers besides pork and beer. She does not even know that lots of American don't drink and remain sober all their lives. She does not know there are lots of vegetarians who don't eat pork or any meat. She does not know that there are lots of households who prefer cats than dogs in their houses. most of all, she does not know that Muslim loves Jesus. From a proud American Muslim Cheers!

Fawad | 8 years ago | Reply Survey says most of pakistan hate or dislike USA, but given a chance everyone will settle there. Sad but true, reason may be economy, but they are big economy due to their beliefs and pluralistic society, which we don't see in Pakistan.

fool22 | 8 years ago | Reply @Yellow:

Why did whites invaded US, Red Indians

What's your point? Do your really think that Europeans landing on the shores of an unexplored continent in 1492 is an analogy for Muslim migration to the USA in the 21st century? Anti American bashing is popular in Pakistan - seldom makes much sense.

The Book Says | 8 years ago | Reply If America offers free visas at it consulate, I bet many Pakistanis' who curse America will be standing in line. So, let us introspect and then act. As pointed out by fellow commentators, hypocrisy needs to be dropped.

The Book Says | 8 years ago | Reply @Ali: Why name calling? It is like saying all Indians are smelly and every Pakistani is a terrorist. If you don't have a constructive argument against the title, just keep it to yourself.

The Book Says | 8 years ago | Reply @Yellow: Calling Native Americans Red Indians, is derogatory. Your question does not answer the question question of the topic. Let me pose you similar question - "Why did Bin Qasim come to Sind?" America has lot of laws effectively used to give justice for all. Does Pakistan guarantee that? So let us not go down that path of asking questions about invasion etc.

Point | 8 years ago | Reply Why do US forces come to Afghanistan, Iraq and play dirty politics in Middle east when it doesnt like Muslims :/ Why is no Native American allowed to be US President

curious2 | 8 years ago | Reply You can parse/nitpick all you want - but the overall thrust of comment is worth debating. Many Muslims have no interest in assimilating into American culture and aren't very tolerant of those who eat pork, drink beer and wear bikinis - some would argue those individuals should have chosen a different country.

Yellow | 8 years ago | Reply Why did whites invaded US, Red Indians.

Zafar | 8 years ago | Reply Why did you people go to America. It was not your land. THe land belonged to the Red Indians. You lied to them, you took their fields, you took their forests, you lied the , you took their mountains. For sure it was not the lands of the whites. You are illegal immigrants and usurpers.You should be booted out of the Red Indian lands. And since Red Indians have no objection to the Muslims immigrating there, so Muslims will stay. Bye Bye Lady.

Wallis | 8 years ago | Reply Pls don't generalize all Americans because of such people ,majority of the people in USA are open minded and donot have any problem with muslims or any nation. USA is a multicultural society with freedom of speech, and religious practice.

S.M.SHAH | 8 years ago | Reply We Muslim shouldn't be so limited approach as a personal views of individual is considered as a American lawmakers views and opinions as well as policy. As, 100% above harshly and hatefulness sentiments are found in pakistanis against Amrica, but American Government doesn't take care they priority the government policies. If in such open forum discussion misperceptions take place, opportunist and hypocratic take advantage of this war.

shahid | 8 years ago | Reply This is a very relevant and million dollar questions. Why do muslims want to settle in USA or western europe when in thier mind thier culture and religion is superior to west. Check your hearts and mind. Classical example of hypocracy.

Aamir - Toronto | 8 years ago | Reply Americans = Ignorant

sone | 8 years ago | Reply the lady believes America is all about pork beer dogs and bikinis and she doesn't even know that Jesus has nothing to do with all these things

Student | 8 years ago | Reply We dont hate Jesus. Even we respect more

Ali | 8 years ago | Reply Americans are the most stupid people on the face of this earth. They don't even know that muslims love Jesus more than Americans do.

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