2 - The Michigan Daily - Monday, June 6, 2005 Local Muslims protest uran abuse 4 By Laura Van Hyfte Daily News Editor Members of the Muslim Com- munity Association of Ann Arbor voiced their outrage at the U.S. gov- ernment and military last Friday in response to Quran desecration and alleged mistreatment of Mus- lim detainees in American Military detention facilities. The crowd of about 100 protesters gathered outside the Islamic Center of Ann Arbor and demanded that a commission be created to inves- tigate allegations of torture and abuse. They also demanded that all detainees be given full due process rights and that they either be charged with a crime or be released. Protest- ers specifically said they want the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba shut down, saying it dis- regards universal human rights and is a national embarrassment. "This demonstration is to say we've had enough," said Kristine Abouzahr, the event's organizer. "Respect Islam; stop the torture and the inhuman treatment." According to a report released by the Pentagon last Friday, a copy of the Quran had been deliberately kicked and another stepped on at Guantanamo Bay. One Quran was accidentally splashed with urine when a prison guard urinated outside and the waste traveled through an air vent, landing on a prisoner and his Quran, according to the report. The guard who stepped on the Quran was fired, and the one responsible for urinating on the book was relocated away from prisoners. Of all the allegations against the U.S. government, Quran mistreatment largely motivated the protesters. Abuse of the Quran angered Mus- lims because it has a large part in their beliefs and lifestyle, Abou- zahr said, adding that Muslims are very sensitive to mistreatment of the Quran because of its importance in Islam. "It has a different level for Mus- lims; it's integrated into our daily lives. We have a very high sensitiv- ity toward it," Abouzahr said. Abouzahr said she was not sur- prised when hearing about alle- gations and admissions of Quran mistreatment. "Right when I heard (about the Quran abuse), I was angry. The sad part is, I expected that. These days we trust U.S. officials to humiliate (Muslims)," Abouzahr said. "It's another way of humiliation and enraging Muslims. More and more it seems that the war is on Muslims and Islam," Abouzahr added. Muhammad Hachimi, an Imam who gives a Friday sermon at the Islam- ic Center, also expressed his disappoint- 4 4 Imam Muhammad Hachimi protests outside the Islamic Center of Ann Arbor last Friday. ment upon hearing the news. "What I am angry about is the con- firmation of this story. I'd be angry if I heard that anyone touched the Bible. I respect people," Hachimi said. On May 9, Newsweek reported that a Quran had been flushed down a toilet at Guantanamo, but the magazine later retracted the article after its source could not be certain he read about the allegations in the Pentagon report he had cited. Protesters acknowledged that many of the allegations they cited have not yet been proven and stressed that an investigation of all the accu- sations is necessary. Regardless of the outcome of any future investigations, the protesters stressed that the Guantanamo Bay prison must be shut down. "The Guantanamo Bay prison has become a source of shame," Nazih Hassan, an organizer of the, said to the crowd. After hearing this, the crowd began to shout, "Shut it down!" STADIUM Continued from page 1 The reaction from some students has been positive. Tom Rainwater, a recent graduate of the engineer- ing school, said that renovations could get more fans into the stadium, and in effect, generate more rev- enue. Rainwater added that an expansion one end zone may help the stadium keep its title as the largest sta- dium in the nation but the expansion could ruin the stadium in the process.- Kinesiology junior Eric Kruske said he also sup- ported expansion. "If we call it the Big House theyshould keep adding on seats - the Big House has always been seen as the biggest stadium," Kruske said. Kruske added that extra seating would improve the character that the Big House has. "I think it will add to the atmosphere. Regardless of how many seats, the Big House is great because of our alumni and fans," Kruske said. Stevenson admitted that no plans have been final- ized, but he said he has great confidence that the Regents will approve the plans at their July or Septem- ber meeting. -II www.michigandaily.com The Michigan Daily (ISSN 0745-967) is published Monday through Friday during the fall and winter terms >y students at the University of Michigan. One copy is available free of charge to all readers. Additional opies may be picked up at the Daily's office for $2. Subscriptions for fall term, starting in September, via J.S. mail are $110. Winter term (January through April) is $115, yearlong (September through April) is $195. University affiliates are subject to a reduced subscription rate. On-campus subscriptions for fall term are $35. Subscriptions must be prepaid. The Michigan Daily is a member of The Associated Press and The \ssociated Collegiate Press. ADDRESS: The Michigan Daily, 420 Maynard St., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109- 1327. PHONE NUMBER: 734-76-DAILY. E-mail letters tothe editor to tothedaily@michigandaily.com. EDITORIALSAFSepaiWrgEdtrnChe Congratnlatinsmto our Fake Ad Contest Winner (734) 623-7272 * 401 E. Huron Street F R E S H . nIYouwillreceiveafreelarge piuaper month i for 6 months,courtes gof Papa John's! Thanks toallof you who enteredandlook FA ST for the new fake adin June! NEWS EDITORS: Justin Miller, Laura Van Hyfte STAFF: Amber Colvin, Ankit Sur, Kendra Williams, Christopher Zbrozeks OPINION ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Emily Beam STAFF: Whitney Dibo, Jesse Forester, Bryan Kelly, Suhael Momin, Brian COLUMNISTS: Mara Gay, Alexandra M. Jones, Jesse Singal, Karl St; SPORTS aENIOR EDITORS: ayes V. Dowd STAFF: Dan Levy, Katie Niemeyer. an Robinson, Pete Sneider, Lindsey U ARTS ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Jeffrey Bloomer STAFF: Cyril Corder, Samantha Force, Abby Frackman, Andrew M, Gaerig, Chn PHOTO ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Mike Hulsebus STAFF: Forest Casey, Alexander Dziadosz, Tommaso Gomez, Ali Olsen, 1 GRAPHIC DESIGN STAFF: Matthew Daniels. Gervis Menzies. Lindsey Ur ONLINE ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Angela Cesere Jeremy Davidson, Managing Editor Donn M. Fresard, Editor 3de, Ben Taylor, David Russel >fl Matt Venegoni, Managing Editor r, Kevin Wright Evan McGarvey, Managing Editor erng. Alexandra M. Jones Punit Mattoo, Gabriel Rivin Trevor Campbell, Managing Editor ene Robertson, Peter Schottenfels. David Tuman Eston Bond, Managing Editor Order online at www.papajohns. corn f L Medium 1 Topping Pizza "a de, OC772 yfgiekis ya 1, ,"5a Aid atiat a tssC s- asal appli trae ald* ttatappise tra . STAFF: Jessica Cox, Bethany Dykstra, Ken Srdjak. Chelsea Trull :USINESS STAFF Breeshna Javed, Business Manager DISPLAY SALES Emily Cipriano, Manager STAFF: Kate Baker, Adam Gross, Karia Pande, George Saba, Benjamin Schottentels, NissaiVandre CLASSIFIED SALES Ryan Van Tassel, Manager PRODUCTION Phyllis Wong, Manager SPECIAL PAGE Jessica Sachs, Manager ...