DEARBORN, Michigan – Pastor Terry Jones is back in Dearborn today to exercise his 1st amendment rights of free speech, and freedom of religion – by speaking in front the Islamic Center of America mosque on Ford Road in Dearborn, Michigan. The rally was scheduled to occur from 1:00 to 3:00 pm today.
Various groups (including BAMN) were gathering near the mosque this morning in a counter protest.
Earlier this week “Detroit Federal District Judge, Denise Page Hood, granted a motion for an Emergency Temporary Restraining Order and enjoined the City of Dearborn from requiring Pastor Jones to sign a Hold Harmless’ agreement before approving his application to speak in front of a mosque on Saturday, April 7th” – according to a statement from the Thomas More Law Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Pastor Terry Jones
“Islam is the greatest threat to our national security. The Muslim community refuses to integrate, instead they demand and push their religion, their rituals, upon us and upon our society. Dearborn is a prime example of this along with many others around the nation” according to Dr. Terry Jones – in a press release promoting his visit to Dearborn.
Jones press release continued with a laundry list of examples, claiming: “the Muslim community is trying to push their agenda upon us with the help of organizations such as CAIR and MSA, with the help of political correctness, with the help of people who are unwilling to actually take a stand. As Islam continues to push its agenda using threats, parts of America are beginning to give in. Changes are being made at the expense of taxpayers.”
“The special menus that are being provided at schools in Dearborn are costing taxpayers $228,000 every year. The special foot washing basins that are being installed in airports around America are costing as much as $100,00 each. This must be stopped. This cannot be tolerated…”
The press release continues: “On April 7, we will be in Dearborn, Michigan in front of the Islamic Center of America to take a stand for America.”
“Providing a halal menu in Dearborn does incur additional cost. Halal meats are 30 percent more expensive than typical meat. The district established a contract with a Dearborn grocer to provide halal meat, costing taxpayers $228,000.
Dearborn schools prepare five different menus each day.
- normal menu
- halal menu
- halal without nuts
- partial halal
- peanut free
Dearborn’s halal meals also means more money spent on staff to prepare, organize and store the meals.”
The press release provided other examples, including an item stating: ” University of Michigan in Dearborn installed two foot baths which cost taxpayers $100,000.”
Dearborn’s Arab American News challenged many of the statements made by Jones in an article entitled: Fact Checking – Terry Jones Worst Enemy
Jones challenges Imam Al-Qazwini
Pastor Jones also stated: “We are challenging Imam Al-Qazwini of the Islamic Center of America to work with us on obtaining the release of Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani.”
Iranian Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has been charged, convicted and sentenced to death for apostasy — for leaving Islam and becoming a Christian. When Iranian officials demanded that he recant his faith in Jesus Christ or die, he responded, “I cannot.” He has been illegally imprisoned and separated from his wife and two boys since 2009. It was reported earlier this week, that Pastor Youcef’s son was able to visit him in prison.
Jones “called for a worldwide burning of the Koran on April 28” if Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani isn’t freed.
“I’m asking the imam of the Islamic Center here in Dearborn to work with me to free Minister Youcef,” said Jones “If he isn’t freed, I will ask the world to burn the Koran in protest starting at 5 p.m. on April 28th in Gainesville, Fla.”
In the hours leading up to his planned rally in front of the Islamic Center of America, Dr. Terry Jones and his organization Stand Up America Now have issued a series of tweets, including:
“Terry Jones challenges Imam Al-Qazwini – Islamic Center of America to work w/ us on obtaining the release of Iran Pastor
#Nadarkhani.” ~ 5-Apr-2012“They (the City of Dearborn) cannot pull a ‘Pontius Pilate’ and just wash their hands (of any wrongdoing).” ~ 6-Apr-2012
“Approximately 70% of Muslims in the US have not read the Koran. We suggest that they read it and find out exactly how dangerous it is.” ~ 6-Apr-2012
Local Muslim leaders are asking the community to ignore Terry Jones.
Charlie Langton of WXYT Detroit interviewed Dr. Terry Jones on April 5th. Podcasts of that interview are here: (part 1 and part 2)
Related Stories and Links
- Dearborn Free Press articles mentioning Terry Jones – Dearborn Free Press
- Terry Jones Plans April 7 Dearborn Protest at ICA – Arab American News
- Judge Permits Jones to Protest Without Signing Hold Harmless Agreement – Arab American News
- U-Turn on 1st Amendment in Michiganistan – World Net Daily
- Judge Slaps Dearborn With Restraining Order in Terry Jones Case – Dearborn Press and Guide
- Federal judge rules in favor of Quran-burning pastor Terry Jones – Detroit Free Press
- Rev. Terry Jones Calls for Koran Burning if Imprisoned Pastor Isn’t Freed – Detroit News
- Terry Jones Files Federal Suit Against Dearborn Over Free Speech Issues – Detroit News
- Pastor Terry Jones’ lawyer slams Islam ahead of Dearborn mosque protest – Detroit Free Press
- Great Britain House of Commons Calls for Release of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani – ACLJ.org
- Terry Jones Protest Takes Place Without Incident – Dearborn Patch
- One hour video – recorded at event – posted by Terry Jones’ Stand Up America – Ustream.tv