ABC's Good Morning America and CBS's Early Show on Thursday both speculated
as to whether the stabbing of a New York City cabbie was prompted by a climate
of anti-Islamic anger. At the same time, GMA and NBC's Today both ignored the
fact that the attacker, Michael Enright, volunteered for a charity supporting
the mosque.
ABC's Jeremy Hubbard wondered if the violence was "
proof the rhetoric
surrounding the proposed Islamic cultural center and mosque near Ground Zero has
created a heightened fear and prejudice against Muslims." Early Show's Chris
Wragge bluntly asserted, "And this ongoing debate may have led to a brutal
anti-Muslim attack here in New York City."
However, only CBS's Elaine Quijano pointed out this salient piece of
information: "Now, as for Michael Enright, he had volunteered for a group that
promotes interfaith dialogue. The group Intersections International has
supported the controversial cultural center and mosque near Ground Zero."
ABC's Hubbard vaguely explained, "[Enright] also volunteers for a collegiate,
church-affiliated group, dedicated to promoting peace and understanding."
ABCNews.com ,
on the third page of a three page story, did acknowledge the
connection :
Enright had traveled to Afghanistan with an organization called Intersections
International, a New York-based group that promotes itself as promoting justice
and peace across lines of faith (and has come out in support of the Islamic
cultural center's construction.)
NBC's Today had almost no coverage of the violence. Natalie Morales briefly
explained, "An Honors student is charged with attempted murder and assault after
allegedly stabbing a New York City cab driver in the neck. The victim said the
suspect, Michael Enright, asked him if he was a Muslim and then slashed him."
A transcript of the Early Show segment, which aired at 7:12am EDT, follows:
CHRIS WRAGGE: A new poll says a growing number of Americans are against the
proposed Islamic center near Ground Zero. And this ongoing debate may have
led to a brutal anti-Muslim attack here in New York City. CBS News
correspondent Elaine Quijano has the disturbing details this morning. Elaine,
good morning.
ELAINE QUIJANO: Good morning to you, Chris. Well, police
say the attacker was a college student who had done volunteer work in
Afghanistan. He is now behind bars facing multiple counts, including attempted
murder and assault as a hate crime after allegedly attacking a cabbie who said
he is Muslim. Police say 21-year-old Michael Enright asked a New York City cab
driver whether he was Muslim. When he answered that he was, Enright, authorities
say, attacked. First uttering in Arabic a common greeting in the Muslim world,
peace be unto you.
AHMED SHARIF (slashing victim): I'm driving. He ask me where I'm from. I
said, "Bangladesh." Then, second question he asked me, "Are you Muslim?" I said,
"Yes." Then he told me "As-Salamu Alaykum."
QUIJANO: The alleged hate crime took place against the backdrop of a highly
emotional debate over whether an Islamic cultural center, including a mosque,
should be built two blocks from Ground Zero. The protests are spreading from New
York to Tennessee where an intense debate over a proposed mosque near Nashville
has raged all summer.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: It's not about religion. It's about stopping Tennessee
homegrown terrorists.
QUIJANO: There are nearly seven million Muslims and 1200 mosques in the
United States. But a CBS News poll found 71 percent of Americans say it's
inappropriate to build a mosque so close to Ground Zero. Among them, some
families of 9/11 victims.
KEN FAIRBEN (father of 9/11 victim): I understand their religious beliefs. I
understand they should have a place to play, an educational center. I have no
problems with that whatsoever. But not there. Definitely not there.
QUIJANO: Now, as for Michael Enright, he had volunteered for a group that
promotes interfaith dialogue. The group Intersections International has
supported the controversial cultural center and mosque near Ground Zero. If
Enright is convicted of attempted murder, he faces a maximum eight to 25 years
in prison.
-Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center. Click here to follow him on
Twitter.
