Muslim hero breaks up train beating

[Scott & Lai 12]

The people were screaming they killed Jesus and attacked them. That whole concept is ridiculous to me but thats for another topic I guess....

Did these idiots also go around attacking Italians, blaming them for what Pilate did?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I wonder why it was necessary for the journalist to point out the religious orientation of the people involved. Shouldn't it be enough that the guy stepped in and helped, something that has little of anything to do with his being a muslim. The way I read it its almost as though the journalist is somehow surprised that the man didn't join in

[simple_male 1]

I wonder why it was necessary for the journalist to point out the religious orientation of the people involved. Shouldn't it be enough that the guy stepped in and helped, something that has little of anything to do with his being a muslim. The way I read it its almost as though the journalist is somehow surprised that the man didn't join in

Yes, it was not necessary to point out religious background of those involved. It is also good to see that a Muslim can help a Jew and vice versa to pint it out that these two religious groups can help each other, live together peacefully. Perhaps, the reporter thought this way.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Perhaps - but its done through the addition of an unnecessary political subtext.

[Caladan 19]

It wasn't necessary, but it's probably not a bad idea. If the religions had been reversed, people would be screaming about bands of roving terrorists who beat up Jews except when saved by brave Christian crusaders. It would be all about how those savages get violent whenever their religion isn't respected by people who don't belong to it.

It's interesting to see the story on the other foot, so to speak.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I dunno - what's the betting we'll never see this headline in print...

"J*w returns missing money"

[Fandango 1,439]

I wonder why it was necessary for the journalist to point out the religious orientation of the people involved. Shouldn't it be enough that the guy stepped in and helped, something that has little of anything to do with his being a muslim. The way I read it its almost as though the journalist is somehow surprised that the man didn't join in

Well, I personally think it's great that the author did....Muslims have been getting such bad press with all the whack job extremists....it's nice to see them nicely represented at the other end of the spectrum.

And the more stories out there like this one, the more people will let go of their prejudices.

A Muslim putting himself on the line for a Jew.....just makes you have a little more faith in humanity, if ya ask me

Edited December 13, 2007 by LisaD

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I wonder why it was necessary for the journalist to point out the religious orientation of the people involved. Shouldn't it be enough that the guy stepped in and helped, something that has little of anything to do with his being a muslim. The way I read it its almost as though the journalist is somehow surprised that the man didn't join in

Well, I personally think it's great that the author did....Muslims have been getting such bad press with all the whack job extremists....it's nice to see them nicely represented at the other end of the spectrum.

And the more stories out there like this one, the more people will let go of their prejudices.

A Muslim putting himself on the line for a Jew.....just makes you have a little more faith in humanity, if ya ask me

I dunno - what's the betting we'll never see this headline in print...

"J*w returns missing money"

wow, even if in jest, that's pretty sh!t.

Well yes - that was sort of the point. Any person can return missing money or a lost handbag, step in and stop a fight, or pull a child out of a busy road. Its doesn't matter what your religious beliefs are, or indeed what your cultural background is - they don't dictate a person's behaviour.

I don't object to the story - only the compartmentalising of people in the media according to stereotypes. I can see that this story is a reaction to the other, negative stories - but even so - it strikes me as part of the same problem.

[Caladan 19]

In an ideal world, I'd agree, #6. In the contemporary U.S., counteracting a stereotype is still needed.

[Fandango 1,439]

I wonder why it was necessary for the journalist to point out the religious orientation of the people involved. Shouldn't it be enough that the guy stepped in and helped, something that has little of anything to do with his being a muslim. The way I read it its almost as though the journalist is somehow surprised that the man didn't join in

Well, I personally think it's great that the author did....Muslims have been getting such bad press with all the whack job extremists....it's nice to see them nicely represented at the other end of the spectrum.

And the more stories out there like this one, the more people will let go of their prejudices.

A Muslim putting himself on the line for a Jew.....just makes you have a little more faith in humanity, if ya ask me

I dunno - what's the betting we'll never see this headline in print...

"J*w returns missing money"

wow, even if in jest, that's pretty sh!t.

Well yes - that was sort of the point. Any person can return missing money or a lost handbag, step in and stop a fight, or pull a child out of a busy road. Its doesn't matter what your religious beliefs are, or indeed what your cultural background is - they don't dictate a person's behaviour.

I don't object to the story - only the compartmentalising of people in the media according to stereotypes. I can see that this story is a reaction to the other, negative stories - but even so - it strikes me as part of the same problem.

I misread it at first, which is why I edited the comment to delete that bit.

I don't think the original story is part of the same problem....I think it's in response to the problem, and those two things are quite different from each other. Plus, it's a feelgood piece, if you ask me. If there was a repub or dem throwing him/herself under the bus for the other, I think you'd get the same story.

[mawilson 2,133]

Its doesn't matter what your religious beliefs are, or indeed what your cultural background is - they don't dictate a person's behaviour.

You couldn't be more wrong.

[Empress of Groovy 373]

I must agree with Number 6. This is a puff piece that essentially says, "Wow! Those Muslims aren't all murderous zealots after all! Look at this guy! Assisting a Jew, no less!" That this is considered news implies that it is unusual and thus worthy of attention. This may be a story in, say, Gaza City (OK, there probably aren't too many people spreading Hanukkah wishes there, but...), but in New York? Come on. People come to each other's aid all the time in big cities. Incidents on subways and elsewhere are broken up frequently. Usually they don't get much attention.

As No. 6 suggests, turning a good deed into a supposed news story that focuses on the religious backgrounds of the individuals perpetuates the notion that some differences seem insurmountable, but isn't it just precious when people look underneath the yarmulke or hijab to see the person? This story is condescending to Muslims and suggests that Hassan should be commended for not doing the "expected" thing: pushing through the crowd to get a better view or even joining in, of course.

There are more effective and less cartoonish ways of noting tolerance and good relationships among people from different religions and cultures, if that's what one wishes to discuss.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Its doesn't matter what your religious beliefs are, or indeed what your cultural background is - they don't dictate a person's behaviour.

You couldn't be more wrong.

Really? That argument is problematic because it puts a question mark over whether a person is responsible for their own behaviour.

[mawilson 2,133]

Its doesn't matter what your religious beliefs are, or indeed what your cultural background is - they don't dictate a person's behaviour.

You couldn't be more wrong.

Really? That argument is problematic because it puts a question mark over whether a person is responsible for their own behaviour.

They are responsible for their own behaviour, but only within the boundaries dictated by their religion

and culture.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Its doesn't matter what your religious beliefs are, or indeed what your cultural background is - they don't dictate a person's behaviour.

You couldn't be more wrong.

Really? That argument is problematic because it puts a question mark over whether a person is responsible for their own behaviour.

They are responsible for their own behaviour, but only within the boundaries dictated by their religion

and culture.

If that were true, a person might wonder why the guy described in the article chose to step in and help those people.