Friday, November 2, 2007
News Atlanta's 11 Least Influential People: No. 11
Posted by Andisheh Nouraee on Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 2:00 PM
Today begins Creative Loafing's countdown of Atlanta's 11 Least Influential People, a tribute to women and men everywhere struggling to meet the challenges of life in a modern American city.
No. 11 -- Ahmed Salim
Would like to be able to park on the street in front of his mosque
(photo by Joeff Davis)
“I love Atlanta,†says Ahmed Salim.
Born and raised in Gwinnett County, the third-year engineering student at Georgia Tech hopes to work and live here for the rest of his life, he says, because it’s a growing, energetic place.
Kind and self-confident, Salim says growing up Muslim in a predominantly Christian community has never made him feel any less American. “I rode my bicycle in the street and played basketball,†he says. “I was a normal American kid.â€
Someone once gave his sister a Bible for Valentine’s Day, an incident that makes Salim laugh when he tells it, but he’s never been made to feel unwelcome in a meaningful way, he says.
Until now.
He and some of his friends have noticed “No Parking Except Sunday†signs that line Peachtree Street and other busy streets. It’s a government policy benefiting Christian churches and church-goers.
Salim’s got no problem with that.
He would nevertheless appreciate it if the “No Parking†signs in front of the mosque he attends on 14th Street had an “Except Friday†caveat to accommodate the Muslim Sabbath. “Every Friday, but especially on the holiest days,†he says when asked how often he thinks his fellow mosque-goers would park on 14th Street.
On the holiest days of the Muslim calendar, Al-Farooq Masjid of Atlanta’s main and auxiliary off-street parking lots are often full, as are the side streets nearby.
“Ramadan is big. And the two Eids,†he says, referring to Eid ul-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of Ramadan, and Eid ul-Adha, which commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son to God.
“It would be convenient,†he says, adding, “The Muslim community here would feel very welcomed by it.â€
Visit Fresh Loaf Saturday morning for No. 10 on our countdown of Atlanta’s 11 Least Influential People.
Comments (7)
Showing 1-7 of 7
Gotta disagree with Ahmed. The Sunday parking on Peachtree is a major hassle, particularly for me since I live in the area of that street around Ansley Park that is so church-laden (I just made myself giggle -- church-laden). That blocked right lane of a major artery causes some dangerous sudden lane changing. But if the Peachtree Sunday parking has to stay, I think that showing some love to the Muslim community and letting them park on 14th for the holy days would be a nice consolation. The congregants of The Temple on Peachtree are allowed to park along West Peachtree on the Jewish holy days, so it's only fair.
like
dislike
Either all groups get to park on their "special" days or no groups. I personally opt for no groups. The church parking on Peachtree is a hassle.
Idiot, the only reason they let people park there on sunday is because its a low traffic day, can you imagine the kind of gridlock it would create if they parked there on friday? Get over it.
Eliminate special parking arrangements for all these closed groups. Atlanta is not Mayberry; find a clubhouse with ample parking.
Got to agree with Robert. Since its not practical to give special parking to all the groups on all their special days then there should be no special parking for anyone. And as Bob points out the only reason that its practical for the bible thumpers to have their special day that is imposed on all the rest of us is that traffic is lighter sunday morning and the street parking does not impose such a significant issue.
I understand what the brother is saying, but his argument isn't practical. What I do think would be more practical is for the state or local government to discontinue showing deference to one part of the community in such matters. If each Religious community was catered to in this situation, it wouldn't work. Sorry, ahk but this situation isn't one we can hope to see any real progress on. Not going to happen.
Latest in Fresh Loaf
-
Photos: Twenty-four hours (almost) inside Your Dekalb Farmers Market 1
CL photographers alternated shifts touring the massive grocery store
-
A few questions with MondoHomo festival organizer Jesse Morgan
MondoHomo is "sexual, groundbreaking and dancing"
-
Scoutmob: Don't call it a deal site
Scoutmob differentiates itself, scores investors
- More »
Author Archives
-
What can we learn from the 9/11 anniversary? 37
Ten years later, a TV terrorpalooza rings hollow
- More »
