Wednesday, July 27, 2011

US Wary of Islamic Religious Customs

Just received:

Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens

The U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem has issued the following notice:

All Mission employees and family members are advised to exercise extra vigilance and avoid large crowds during the upcoming month of Ramadan, which is expected to begin either on July 31 or August 1, 2011, particularly in Jerusalem’s Old City. Extremely large crowds can be expected, with a correspondingly heavy police presence on Fridays during the month of Ramadan. Additionally, personnel should expect significant traffic congestion, delays, and detours around the Old City and East Jerusalem, and should seek to use alternate or bypass routes whenever possible.


Furthermore, Jerusalem’s Old City will be off-limits to all official Americans and their dependents each Friday during the month of Ramadan. U.S. citizens are reminded that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. The U.S. Consulate General urges U.S. citizens to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.


I wonder, could someone misinterpret that as Islamophobia?

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