While I admit that I'm not too versed in Islamic worship practices, is it normal to have security guards standing at the driveway entrance at a mosque here in College Station?

Tonight my family and I were driving home on Arrington Road (off of Fitch) and cars were going into the new mosque while two security guards (looked like police at first glance) inspected the cars going in. I don't have a problem with the diversity of our great city, but I am a bit curious since this is where my son would be riding his bike pass on his way to school (if they ever fix Arrington - which is a thread for another day!).

The guards looked Arabic so I have a feeling it was an internal reason.

The security guards could have been there for a private function, or perhaps a dignitary was present, or maybe they are just a bit security-conscious in the mad, mad, mad, mad world in which we live. Then again, off Arrington Road, eh? Maybe they were there to guard against... I can't say it!

Or maybe they want to worship without the fear that someone will come and disrupt the service or try to commit a hate crime.

That has happened at other mosques in Texas.

The guards are there every time they have a service. Sometimes two, sometimes I have seen as many as TEN! One has to wonder why??? History has proven that the radicals are in their own house.

Never seen any security guards at the one on northgate.

Thank you 'AgStone'. Exactly what I think every evening coming home.

The Ismaeli denomination seems to be pretty quiet. They tend to keep to themselves. My daughter went to school with a couple if them and they attended a big mosque in Houston. They could not have been more pleasant and were always angry when a Muslim did something violent and stupid that made the news.

Thank you Rock! Couldn't have said it better!
There are yahoo's in every culture that cause problems.

Still don't know why we seperate or specialize "hate" crime... Is there such a thing as "love" crime?! I mean if the crime is against a white straight Christian male, does it create less violence or danger?

I got slammed on another board a while back for saying there is no such thing as "reverse discrimination". I said "discrimination" is just that, regardless of who's doing it.
Unfortunately most people thought "discrimination, racism, & hate crimes" are things only white people do.

where is it at on arrington?! close to the HEB or what??

I can't stand "reverse discrimination". Freaking p.c. bullcrap.

Spike Lee said one time that black people can't be racist. That in itself is a racist statement! He just made a broad generalization about an ethnic group! But it's ok if you talk about your own race for some reason.

The mosque is located on the other of Fitch from where HEB is, past the turn to Greens Prairie.

There were several threads earlier this year on it. I was initially concerned that a large mosque was going up in this area, but after reading up on the group they seemed docile enough. Now hearing about multitudes of security guards in place, I'm not sure what to think.

Here is an earlier link...most of the info is on page 2.

http://www.mybcs.com/Content/Forums/Replies.aspx?tid=1459393&mid=20862653&pg=1

Here is the Wikipedia article regarding the current Imam. Sounds like a good guy, but if so why does he need 10 security guards?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aga_Khan_IV

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The Âgâ Khân is particularly interested in the elimination of global poverty; the advancement of females; the promotion of Islamic culture, art, and architecture; and promoting pluralistic values in society. He is the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network, one of the largest private development networks in the world, which toils towards social, economic, and cultural development in Asia and Africa.

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Maybe he is too progressive for the radicals in his own group and has security to protect him from his "own".

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Maybe he is too progressive for the radicals in his own group and has security to protect him from his "own".

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This!

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History has proven that the radicals are in their own house.

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Has it?

Stupid comes in every race, ethnicity, religion, etc.

Meh. Our church hires off duty police officers. They direct traffic between services and stand around during the service in the foyer and parking lot. I don't think it's a big deal if any house of worship wants to have security on site. Probably a good idea, regardless of the religion.

Rock, thank you for being the voice of reason among the ignorant. This is a non-issue.

Many churches these days have a security team in one form or another. I think it's a good thing.

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Still don't know why we seperate or specialize "hate" crime... Is there such a thing as "love" crime?! I mean if the crime is against a white straight Christian male, does it create less violence or danger?

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If the crime was committed *because* he was a white straight Christian male, then yes it would be a hate crime. Not because he happened to be that.

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If the crime was committed *because* he was a white straight Christian male, then yes it would be a hate crime. Not because he happened to be that.

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But yet if a "white straight Christian male" commits a crime against any other flavor/colour person, he is committing a hate crime.

Yay double standards!

[This message has been edited by Naveronski (edited 6/19/2010 12:34p).]

So now this board is defending white criminals? And you're wrong - it is not automatically a hate crime. Again, it has to do with intent.

They are on the lookout for King Richard and his crazy band of crusaders.

Naveronski,

Sigh! As NFLFan explains, it has to do with intent. Most hate crimes have trouble proving just that

You dont really hear about much anti-WASPM. It should still be considered a hate crime, but it's just not common enough for most people to care about.

One of the least appreciated, over-whelmingly stupid thoughts that I've seen voiced this month, "too many security guards around a worship facility = bad", folks. Let's re-visit the logic behind this one, for proper attention.

I was a little curious about the guys standing at the front too. They are not armed and wave back at me when I wave at them, so they are at least cool! They don't guard it at 530 am morning services for some reason.

I asked the security guards who they were and they responded by saying that they are volunteers helping with traffic control to make sure there is no overflow and they are helping with seniors who are being dropped off at the facility. One of the guards told me that they were not security guards but are safety volunteers instead.

[This message has been edited by speedydooo (edited 9/13/2010 8:10p).]

Thanks for the investigative journalism

Khaaaannnnnnn!


Khhhhaaaaaannnnnnn!!!

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Username: speedydooo
Number of Posts: 1
Account Created: 9/13/2010 7:59:08 PM

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Move along. No, really. Move along.

hey mr. internet policeman!

Should I be concerned that at least two Protestant churches I have visited here have had uniformed police officers in their lobbies on Sunday morning?

Or that the Southern Baptist church I am a member of back home has three or four police officers directing traffic and a team of plain clothes security specialists with in-ear communications devices throughout the campus, especially the children's area?

Hell, Kyle Field is crawling with UPD, city, and even state police on Saturdays, and they do sweeps before the games for bombs. It's just SOP to have crowd control and security anywhere there are large numbers of people gathered these days. It's a fact of modern life.

GranMaq

You aren't going to stop the Xenophobes here from assuming the worst!