It isn’t often a small Upstate New York community garners attention from the national news media, and the likes of Keith Olbermann and Stephen Colbert. It seems to only happen in extenuating circumstances, when town officials have done something really, really stupid.
Like, say, proposing to desecrate a cemetery and disinter the deceased of a particular religious community.
Which is, unfortunately, precisely what Sidney Town Supervisor Bob McCarthy has done, with the full support of the Sidney Town Board.
I think all upstate residents groaned collectively when we heard of this disastrous decision, and the notoriety the community has gained as a result.
Overnight, McCarthy became the most hated man since that guy who wanted to burn the Qur’an.
Oh, we laughed of course, when we heard Olbermann’s “Sidney Freaking New York” comment, and that McCarthy had earned the illustrious moniker of “The Worst Person in the World.” We snickered at the Muslim Zombie comments. And we rolled on the floor when Colbert got in on the action with the whole Muslim Vampire gig, suggesting people rub their necks with pork sausage or, even better, wear bacon turtlenecks. Bacon turtlenecks! Love it.
And, I’ll admit, I was severely tempted to order one of those “Sidney Freaking New York” T-shirts being hawked online.
The embattled town supervisor, of course, claims the town’s actions are not being driven by any anti-Islamic sentiment or bigotry. I can’t say with any certainty one way or the other, but at best, those actions scream of ignorance. Not of the religious tolerance kind.
The controversy revolves around the Osmanli Naksibendi Hakkani Dergahi religious community which, in 2002, purchased approximately 60 acres in Sidney Center.
According to a statement issued by the community, the group is “devoted to contemplation and prayer” and moved to the rural location “to lead the spiritual life of Islam, to lead a simple, quiet life close to the earth.”
Under the religious leadership of Sheik Abdul Kerim al-Kibbrisi, roughly 30 followers call the community, which is an established non-profit organization, home.
