2 Jul 2008
jerry
This superbly detailed article noted early on that the school is an extension of the Saudi government. Does the land then become extraterritorial in the same manner as an embassy or consulate? If that is the claim being put forth, is it then possible for foreign countries to purchase extensive swaths of America and claim sovereignty over it?

If not, then all American laws apply to the ISM school and can be applied without shame or hesitancy. Can we have some clarity here, please.

12 Jul 2008
Adam

What a work of Art.  I have to congratulate you on a very well written article.  To bad it is all full of lies and your agenda is to make false statements about any group that deals with Islam in Virginia.

 

Your article reminds me of well written documentaries the far right, Necons presented to us justifying the Iraq War and the presence of so called WMD. 

 

On the Day of Judgment we will all have answer for our deeds.  You will have much to answer for.  You and your deceitful sponsors and comarades might actually succeed in your crusade, but at the end as result of your deed you will all loose.

 

I doubt it if you will actually post my comments on your web site.

 

 

12 Sep 2009
Caroline Taylor

While it is true that  land use battles that result from proposals to build large institutions in rural countryside inevitably generate instances of bigotry and xenophobia - the author fails to acknowlege real and legitimite natural resource, public service and master plan issues.

The proposed ISA campus south of Poolesville in Montgomery County's Agricultural Reserve was out of scale with the aquifer/septic capabilities, public infrastructure and the master plan for the preservation of agriculture and open space.  These were, in the end, the arguments that won that battle.  An author can always find  nuts to quote and, purposely avoid the central and deciding issues to make their point.

The central premise of separation of church and state is often muddied with the claim that proper application of environmental, public health and safety and land use laws results in an enfringement of the right to worship.  Not so.  I would argue that these mega institutions expect that laws be bent to the break point simply because they are religious in nature.

9 Nov 2009
Andrew W.

A well written and thoroughly researched article.

I commend the author.

As a resident of Poolesville (12/13 yrs. old at the time) I can shed some interesting light on the ISA proposed back in 1994.  While it's true the school was ultimately shot down based on utility/environmental concerns, there was a much darker side to this story.

I remember the hate, the vicious hate being spread around town at the time about Muslims, Islam, and for lack of a better word, 'furennors' in general (mispelled on purpose).  There was a particular leaflet distributed throughout town comparing the ISA to Hitler and the Nazi Party.  Pretty ridiculous and shameful of a community to be so intolerant and xenophobic.

However, 15 years later, looking back (obviously post-9/11), I cannot help but wonder.  Was something spared back then with the vote of No for the ISA?  What is really being taught in their curriculum?  Why the 'shady nature' if there is nothing to hide.  It just seems 'odd'.  Could an institution of hate have been built and operated just outside my hometown?  ...sigh

Now, in defense of Poolesville, having been educated at PHS, in my Comparative Religion course we were taught the following (not verbatim):

"Jews, Christians, and Muslims are all descended from Abraham."

Violence in the name of God...  How revolting, I don't care who's side your on...for shame on you all for your evil against man;  Jew, Christian, and Muslim alike.  For shame indeed...