The Journal News

The emergency preparedness drill in Irving last week has gotten attention from a Washington-based Islamic advocacy group, claiming that the storming of a fake "mosque" sends the wrong message that all Islamic houses of worship may be potential security threats.

The group discovered the story through The Journal-News web site, which has had thousands of hits and dozens of comments since it was posted on Monday.

Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Undersheriff Rick Robbins, who helped plan the event, apologized for using a fake mosque to stage the event.

"I apologize for the message that was received by many," Robbins said. "After reviewing statements made regarding the use of the word mosque, I understand the misuse of the word."

One such comment posted on The Journal-News web site was from a Muslim-American currently serving in the U.S. Navy Reserves, who has also worked as a deputy sheriff and firefighter.

"I am appalled at what I have read," the commenter wrote. "The training was worthwhile and much needed. But turning a center into a masjid (mosque) for the purposes of this training is an outrage. Why a mosque? Why didn't the powers that be fabricate a church or synagogue? This action has done nothing more but to feed fuel to the flame of hate for Muslims in your area and in this country."

Event organizers said that the "mosque" was not central to the drill setting, which could have more accurately been referred to as a camp or compound.

There were no ethnic or religious subtexts to the drill. Even the fake suspects were given non-ethnic names borrowed from a popular television show.

Links to the Journal-News coverage of the story had circulated that internet by noon Wednesday, including CNBC, generating comments on the newspapers web site. Most expressed outrage about using a "mosque" to stage the event. Some were more critical.

"You hicks are crazy," one commenter wrote.

According to another, "this is a manifestation of the fascist in America who seek to justify their transgressions with attacks real and imagined against Muslims here and abroad."

Sylvia Horton wrote on May 24, 2008 6:24 AM:

" To the person who made the comment that you do not see people strapping bombs and killing Americans. We have short memories. What about Timothy Mc Vee? What about all the African-American churches that were bombed and burned down? I can never forget the three black girls killed in the 60's behind a radical klan leader. What short memories we have. "

Kamran wrote on May 13, 2008 7:02 PM:

" Should American Mosques Be Watched By The Government?
http://muslimsforasafeamerica.org/?p=11

Muslims For A Safe America (based in Chicago) encourages honest and informed discussion about how to make Muslims and America safer. "

Reporter wrote on May 9, 2008 2:19 PM:

" The quoted comment is attached to the original story.
http://www.thejournal-news.net/articles/2008/05/06/news/news01.txt
"

Another proud American wrote on May 9, 2008 12:58 PM:

" I'm even more outraged that a member of the US military and sheriff/firefighter is opposed to such a training exercise...if such an upstanding Muslim citizen exists - can you share his/her name with us?

If he is so upset, so appalled how does he feel about the US fighting in Afgan/Iraq, and how does he feel about Muslims who use mosques or masjids as safe havens for terrorists and weapons cache?

Could the reporter please verify the legitimacy of the quote...it sounds like the US military has been infiltrated by at least one Muslim who feels his co-religionists are exempt from critique - his loyalty to Islam is obvious...that is an outrage "

proud american wrote on May 8, 2008 5:54 PM:

" why so outraged..the truth hurts....you dont see AMERICANS strapping bombs to our women and sending them on suicide missions...Im sure there are good islamic folks, but look at the big picture < 911 >.. you dont like it here MOVE BACK!!!!!! "