Intolerant non-Muslim Leftists eagerly acting to stop what they think will offend their Muslim friends and allies. It would be interesting to know whether ISNA demanded that the ex-Muslims be barred, or whether this sweaty, ham-handed, self-righteous, officious Hilton official took it upon himself to do so.
“Ex-Muslims banned from Houston Hilton Starbucks for Atheist shirts,” Ex-Muslims of North America, September 2, 2018:
On Saturday, September 1st, Ex-Muslims of North America (EXMNA) volunteers were forcibly expelled from a Starbucks within a Hilton hotel in Houston, Texas, after refusing to change out of T-Shirts stating “God Love is Greatest” and “I’m an Ex-Muslim, Ask Me Why”.
The EXMNA volunteers were taking a coffee break at the Starbucks after a day of handing out flyers and speaking with and interviewing attendees at the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)’s annual conference. Without warning, they were informed by staff that they must leave the establishment.
“I was surprised. I was simply drinking my iced coffee and scrolling through my phone, and they told me I needed to leave, so I asked why”, says Lina an ex-Muslim Syrian woman who had traveled to the conference on behalf of EXMNA. “I was told that they are not allowing protestors at the property, I assured the woman that I was not a protestor. She then asked me if I was part of the event or a guest at the hotel. I was neither. I was then told that even though I was a paying customer, I was not allowed to be on the premise as it was reserved for guests and event members for the weekend and that they will not be allowing anyone else on their private property. However, I noticed the Starbucks was still open to the public and I didn’t see anyone else being asked to leave.”
Upon additional inquiry after leaving the premises, the hotel employees stated on video that the EXMNA group was not welcome due to their T-shirts, and repeatedly claimed the group was “protesting”, a charge which all volunteers explicitly denied multiple times.
“This appears to be a case of discrimination,” says President of Ex-Muslims of North America, Muhammad Syed. “We were asked to leave the premises and informed that we could only enter the premises if we removed the shirts, none of which stated anything inflammatory. The treatment was unjust and especially cruel considering the plight of ex-Muslims. We are killed and abused all over the world for our disbelief. It is unconscionable that companies like Starbucks and Hilton acquiesce to conservative religious sensibilities”.
As of 2018, over a dozen Muslim-majority countries prescribe the death penalty for Muslims who leave the faith. Muslim leaders from across the world, including most recently, Pakistan, have called for international cooperation in penalizing content considered blasphemous in Islam.
“I don’t expect much of the media to cover what happened here. Previously, we have faced discrimination at the hands of employees at other companies due to our apostasy, and the coverage was minimal,” continues Muhammad Syed. In 2016, Wegmans refused to bake Ex-Muslims of North America an anniversary cake, allegedly due to the offense the cake design was causing the bakery’s Muslim employees. The design of the cake rejected as “offensive” by the bakery contained only the statement “Congrats on 3 years” alongside the organization’s name and logo.
“The gay wedding cake issue was gaining a lot of coverage back then, so one would have assumed that our discrimination would be very relevant,” continued Muhammad Syed, “but sadly, people are divided by politics instead of sticking to their principals. Freedom of religion and from religion are non-partisan issues we should all be fighting for. Most ex-Muslims are progressive or broadly on the Left, so it is especially discouraging to see the lack of solidarity from progressives.”…
But not in the least surprising.
Honest Ali says
We are all in this together… Atheist, Hindu, Christian, Jewish, Secular Humanist, Deist, Agnostic, Wiccan… Ex-Muslim…
We have made the mistake of not standing together in the past, and Islam won…
We need to stand together.
gravenimage says
Hear, hear, Honest Ali!
J D S says
Therein lies the problem…we all stand back and say “let George do it” instead of standing together as one group.
As a Christian I can do no other than pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ…but I am required to pray for others also and that even includes Muslims.. that all may find Jesus before the time of that awful Lake of Fire I want no one to have to face that…but I can also pray FOR my enemies as well as praying against them as King David did. God help us. We sure can’t seem to help ourselves.
Lydia Church says
And being an ex-muslim does not imply being an atheist or anything else either. Some converted to Christianity and others left islam for other things too.
But yes, that is totally biased. I wonder what would happen if…. they had a Christian convention here… and some atheists got riled up with t-shirts across the street like that….would that hotel ban them too? Or is it just another double standard like so many others?
gordon miller says
An ex-muslim is the only type I feel comfortable associating with.
WPM says
Starbucks should be boycotted by all good people who truly believe in free speech. It is not like people can not buy over priced over rated coffee some where else!
Honest Ali is right all non -Moslems are in this fight ,Christian , Jew ,Secular Humanist ,Deist ,Agnostic , Wiccan ,and especially the brave ex-Moslem it takes courage to leave a death cult that threatens members who leave with death they need our support plus encouragement they are the cracks in the rock of Islam that could bring about it down fall..
Mark Berlinger says
On Hilton-Starbucks property in Texas the First Amendmant does not apply.
Giacomo Latta says
Alas, there is no freedom ***from*** religion in most otherwise free Western nations. Read the constitutions, charters of human rights, etc.
utis says
Honest Ali is absolutely right. Islam is out to get all of us. As the Founding Fathers said, “If we don’t hang together, we will all hang separately.”
Larry Cook says
I will 1 star this location, I have already boycotted Starbucks. The only way to make a difference is to hit them in the pocket book. If I were muslim and wore a shirt that says alla ackbar (or whatever the hell these dipsi=hits say), no one would dare say anything. the are two faced hippocrits and should not be patronized.
allan says
This cherry picking, here in America, about who can or can’t be is sick and has started the country down the slippery slope adding to all the events causing our collapse!!!
Infidel lives matter says
Imagine if the t-shirt had said “I’m a Muslim” and she had been banned. It’s totally unthinkable.
Terry Gain says
I can’t imagine that anyone woukd be banned if their Tee shirt said ” I’m A Jihadist”.
Ade Fegan says
or “slay the idolators”
mortimer says
Agree with AF. We should scribble “KORAN 9.5” on everything Islamic and a few people will look that up and discover it refers to the Verse of the Sword.
David says
That is a good idea. These persons should wear a T-shirt that says I,m a-Jihady.
UNCLE VLADDI says
YOU ALL KNOW THE SONG!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OKQq0RXQGg
Banging my head
and mumblin’ and bitchin’
Work myself up to a bit of sedition
Make a bomb and sharpen up my knife
Jump a Jew whose blood starts pumpin’
Go out in the streets looking for somethin’
To please Allah, invoking Sura 9:5!
Jihading 9:5 – what a way to make a living!
Killing all the time, there’s no time left for forgiving!
Islam kills you mind and Allah never gives you credit
It’s enough to drive you Crazy if you let it
Sura 9:5, what a sura for devotion
You would think that I would deserve a fair promotion
Want to move Upstairs but Allah won’t seem to let me
I’d swear sometimes Big Moe was out to get me
You build a bomb just to watch yourself shatter
You’r life’s just a step on the Imam’s ladder
If you got dreams he’ll take them all away
In a migrant boat with a lot of your friends
Working for the day your lives will end
And the bomb’s gonna burn
An’ it’s gonna blow you all away
Jihading 9:5 – what a way to make a living!
Killing all the time, there’s no time left for forgiving!
Islam kills you mind and Allah never gives you credit
It’s enough to drive you Crazy if you let it
Sura 9:5, yeah, they got you where they want you
Say there’s an “Afterlife” and you think about it don’t you
But it’s the Imam’s game no matter what they call it
And you end your life Putting money in his wallet
Jihading 9:5 – what a way to make a living!
Killing all the time, there’s no time left for forgiving!
Islam kills you mind and Allah never gives you credit
It’s enough to drive you Crazy if you let it
Sura 9:5, yeah, they got you where they want you
Say there’s an “Afterlife” and you think about it don’t you
But it’s the Imam’s game no matter what they call it
And you end your life Putting money in his wallet
😉
Mark Spahn (West Seneca, NY) says
Uncle Valddi, your “Sura 9 to 5” songwriting composition is great! It deserves more attention than just a comment in an obscure jihad fansite like this. I hope someone makes a video out of it and enters it in the All-Ummah Nasheed Competition, or maybe the
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurovision_Song_Contest .
Your song can become as famous in the Dar-al-Islam as
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv5cXss5cPg
Mark Berlinger says
Well done Uncle Vladdi!
James Lincoln says
Great point!
Imagine if two people sat up the same Starbucks table, one had an “I’m a Muslim” T-shirt and the other one had an “I’m an Ex-Muslim” T-shirt.
This would create quite a dilemma for Starbucks. If they kicked out the person with the “I’m an Ex-Muslim” T-shirt and let the “I’m a Muslim T-shirt” person stay – they could definitely be sued for religious discrimination.
Ade Fegan says
so let’s try it
mortimer says
Excellent! Choose one. Pro or con?
The American Bill of Rights does not give Starbucks the right to censor ex-Muslims who merely say they are ex-Muslims.
It would take a court challenge to determine if Starbucks can expel ex-Muslims.
I don’t think they would win. Plus this sort of discrimination against ex-Anybodies will give Starbucks a bad reputation.
Will Starbucks BAN PEOPLE WITH “I AM AN ATHEIST” t-shirts? Not likely.
Michael Copeland says
“Ex-Muslims for the First Amendment”
Worth trying.
Larry Cook says
I will never stay in this hotel. I travel there often. This hotel management needs to be fired. They are anti American, what the hell are they doing in Texas. People, start showing up with NRA shirts, Black Lives Matter shirts, Proud to be Muslim shirts and God Lives shirt and lets find out just how prejudice this place is.
Peter Buckley says
It is the first large-scale generation (“Internet”) of ex-muslims , that will lead to the eventual demise of Islam. In the US, devout muslims think they can bring all these muslims back to Islam, but it’s already “mission impossible”. The great exodus is well under way:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hga3Tj9y_n0
The fact remains, huge numbers of “muslims” aren’t really muslims at all:
https://newrepublic.com/article/121559/rise-arab-atheists
Jack Cade says
Apparently, the CEO of Starbucks wants to hear from customers.https://www.thebalancesmb.com/contact-company-ceos-2891784 Drop him a line about this story.
Mark Spahn (West Seneca, NY) says
The link says, “You can send a message directly to [Starbucks CEO] Kevin Johnson using these e-mail, telephone, and physical mailing address.”
But no e-mail address is listed!
Yokel says
Quick internet search shows this page has an email address for him:
https://www.ceoemail.com/s.php?id=ceo-9898
Mark Spahn (West Seneca, NY) says
Thank you, Jack Cade and Yokel, for finding the email address Kevin.Johnson@starbucks.com. Strangely, it is not listed on Starbuck’s website https://www.starbucks.com/ . Nor is even the name of the CEO of M&T Bank listed on the bank’s website mtb.com . I wonder why. I want to contact him about a bank account application form that says “I agree to be bound by all provisions of the Electronic Banking Card and Telephone Transaction Disclosure and Agreement you send me as a result of this application.” You are asked to sign your consent to something you are not given to see until it is mailed to you later!
gravenimage says
Thank you, Jack.
The Istanbulian says
Is starbucks being racist again?
AnneCrockett says
Not a lawyer, but I think that this goes too far. You cannot boot someone from your establishment for race, religion, or sexual orientation. You can bar them based on politics.
Barbara Vandewalle says
All of the ex muslims should have a conference and explain what prompted them leave Islam. They need to have it made public. Take what ever security is needed because they will be targeted.
No Muzzies Here says
Obviously the Muslims told the hotel to do this. That means the Muslims are their masters. I hope they are aware of what Muslims do to their slaves.
Ade Fegan says
Perhaps apostasy will become criminalised in Europe
(after blasphemy laws are firmly embedded of course)
It sounds crazy now … but there is a steady progression
and there is no telling how crazy things will get
Marty says
It would dcx appear that boycotting Hilton would be a good response to the disrespect this hotel chain has for the First Amendment.
HugoHackenbush says
Strike another match for “Cafe’ Hindenburg”.
Crusades Were Right says
Weren’t the people who wanted the Christian baker to bake that gay wedding cake on “private property” too?
Am I missing something?
Wellington says
“Ex-Muslim” is one of the most beautiful words I have come across in quite some time.
Sam says
This is another very sad story for us infidels in America.
I have been following JW for over 10 yrs now and I still don’t get this love affair with leftists and Islam.
Liberals are America hating sick people.
gerard says
Sam The title of a book by Jamie Glazov explains it: “United in Hate”. Islam and the Left both hate Judaeo Christian culture. “The enemy of my enemy…”
Gjallarhornet says
Pretty strict this. How about a t-shirt saying “Maybe an ex-muslim?”, with a question mark. Or would that get you beheaded or whipped or stoned? Or whipped, stoned and THEN beheaded?
Phil Copson says
This must now be Starbucks’ company policy – this story comes within a week of the earlier JW story regarding an Iranian ex-muslim – now a pastor in California – who was arrested and handcuffed to a chair for several hours in a Minnesota shopping mall, plus being denied access to a solicitor, and even the toilet! – for his “crime” of having a friendly conversation with two Somali women followed by a coffee-break in Starbucks.
What his “crime” was – neither the security officers, nor the police could tell him – but he has to return to Minnesota in his own time and at his own expense to face court. “Find me the man – and I’ll find you the crime.” as Stalin’s chief thug, torturer, and executioner, Lavrentiy Beria, advised his boss.
So – who owns this disgusting, islamopandering coffee-shop ? – and why are they already down on their bellies grovelling to islam ? Boycott required !
Brian hoff says
Than Communist Italian aircraft designer was arrest by the secret police the head of the secret police visit in the cell he told him I than innocent the head of the secret police I know you are if you where guiltly you will be shot. Stalin is in one of his murder mood the only safe place is here .
duh swami says
I don’t know what Starbucks or Hilton management knows, but maybe they know that apostates must be killed, and they do’t want that going on in their business…
gravenimage says
Houston: Ex-Muslims banned from Hilton across from ISNA convention for “I’m an Ex-Muslim” t-shirts
………………….
Now the Hilton and Starbucks are enforcing Shari’ah law, where no one is allowed to leave Islam? Good God…
Michael Copeland says
Can someone put EXMNA in contact with the American Freedom Defense Initiative, the organisation started by Pamela Geller with Robert Muise and others?
AFDI have taken on several First Amendment cases.
Lorensacho says
I wonder how Jews would feel if people wore T-shirts with the words I abandoned Judaism…. ask me why? Most American Jews are confident in their ideology and would not care very much and maybe say, OK tell me why you left Judaism. My guess is that Muslims would not react in the same manner. They would in my estimation be less confident about their ideology or maybe so infused with religious supremacism that they would be totally intolerant to a perceived insult to their religion. Civic authorities are coming from a good place when they try to protect all religious beliefs including Islam, and I would guess that in this case that they estimated that there might be violence arising out of the wearing of anti-Islam T-shirts, which by the way doesn’t say much for the reputation of Muslims as potentially violent.
terry says
You see, your ONLY allowed to protest by beating up people, burning or tearing up private and public property, shutting down highways, and hounding people with their families at public places and at their private residences if you are part of the Socialist Democratic Party of the One World Community; if you are not ANTIFA, SJW, Black Panthers, BLM, Double Black muslims, illegal immigrants, SPLC, DNC, teachers unions, islamist, or a host of other extremist radicals of the leftist communist groups, you are NOT allowed to peacefully assemble, have rational discussions, hand out literature, as well as pick up your trash before you leave- you may offend one of these other groups who ARE allowed to unlawfully assemble for lawless purposes!