Friday, September 9, 2011

My New Favourite Oxymoron (Replacing 'Jumbo Shrimp,' My Old Fave)

It's in this Aug. 30 article from the Toronto Star (which I noticed just now):
The debate over Muslim prayers at a Toronto school wove its way into Eid al-Fitr celebrations on Tuesday. 
Speaking to a crowd of more than 10,000 gathered at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Jamal Badawi, a prominent author on Islam, called attempts to stop the Friday prayers at Valley Park Middle School a form of “secular fundamentalism.”

Critics, including several religious groups, have condemned the school for allowing an imam to conduct prayer services for Muslim students in the cafeteria.

“We strongly support the freedom of faith . . . and prayer in schools. Yes, in schools,” Badawi said to some cheers.

His sermon marked a serious moment in a largely celebratory event marking the end of Ramadan, a month-long fast.

The festival, which includes carnival rides and a bazaar, has been organized by the Muslim Association of Canada for 26 years.

Ahmed Hammam had just immigrated to Canada and was looking for a way to meet other Muslims when he first attended the event two years ago. This year, the Egyptian doctor volunteered as an usher.
“I feel it’s a good deed for me,” Hammam said as he directed worshippers to the prayer area.

Many stopped to wish him “Eid Mubarak,” an Arabic greeting for the holiday. “We treat everyone like a brother and sister here,” he said.

Premier Dalton McGuinty made a brief appearance, thanking the attendees for their contributions to the province’s economy and culture.

“Thank you for opening the eyes of all Ontarians to the beautiful, peaceful, loving faith that is Islam,” he said to loud cheers, adding that the province “thrives on diversity.”...
There are oxymorons and then there are morons. Dalton, clearly, is the latter.
This is what "non-secular fundamentalism" looks like at the Valley Park Middle School mosqueteria

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