Tampabay: Mood cautious at Muslim fest

After war broke out in Iraq, organizers discussed postponing the festival, which local Muslims hold to offer food and clothing to mostly non-Muslim needy residents.

Corporations could be counted on in past years to provide soft drinks and clothes.

But this year, "nothing," said festival vice chairman Rasheed "Sam" Hakki, a local Muslim and orthopedic surgeon.

"The corporations are afraid to donate," he said. "Afraid (Attorney General John) Ashcroft will knock on their door and call them terrorist(s) because they give to a Muslim charity."

Being Muslim in America right now can be difficult.

"You have to be more careful (about) what you say and who you say it to," said Anu Ahmed, who goes to King High School and helped at the food tent at Sunday's festival at Riverfront Park.

But it's been that way since Sept. 11, many Muslims said.

Fatima Sadique, who donated five bags of clothes, has been the recipient of obscene gestures on the road since Sept. 11, and continues to get "the look," she said. It bothers her most, she said, "when it comes from children."

Still, she said, life for Muslims here after the start of the war "is not as bad as Sept. 11."

Rubina Khan, 40, from Pakistan, woke at 5 a.m. to make rice for the charity festival. She said Muslims can't be fearful, as they were after Sept. 11.

"That's why I wanted to come out and do the festival," she said, spooning mixed vegetables from tin trays to a long line. "It is for a good cause. And this is what we Muslims are about."

Abdul Salam, a Muslim from India and a local business consultant, said there is a difference now than after Sept. 11. Muslims have supporters in the anti-war movement.

"They do not want this war either," Salam said.

Salam's views were echoed by many at Sunday's festival. But not everyone. As diverse as Islam is, so are opinions on the war.

Ahmad Kubba, who is originally from Baghdad, called the war necessary.

"It is important that Iraq be liberated," he said. "Saddam is a big Bin Laden."

Hadi Hakki, a Largo doctor also from Baghdad, echoed his sentiments. "I support American troops," he said.

The annual Islamic Charity Festival, now in its seventh year, is organized by the Tampa Bay Muslim Alliance, an umbrella group that represents 18 organizations, including area mosques, schools and community centers.

The festival marks the end of Eid-ul-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, celebrated in March. It's not a festival with singing and dancing. It's focus is strickly charity, with Muslims helping many non-Muslims.

Preparations began months ago. Then war broke out.

"We decided we should have the festival to say, 'We are here and we are part of this community,' " said Husain Nagamia, Tampa Muslim Alliance chairman and Brandon cardiologist.

Usually, the festival pulls in thousands. But Sunday's turnout was about 1,000, hampered by rain. Big white tents were set up all along the grassy banks of the Hillsborough River. Food was served under one tent. Under another, 2,000 toys were piled up for the taking. Another tent, Muslim doctors and nurses checked blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Joseph Allen Kilpatrick, 49 and disabled, was grateful for the donations. "It's good," he said.

Over the loud speaker, Hakki encouraged participation. "Please, take all the food and clothes you need home," he said. "We are here to help and we are going to keep doing this, this year, next year and next."

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