“Recently, the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) stated that an anonymous Islamic website in the Middle East urged Muslims to show their outrage at the Apple Store in New York City, which built a pavilion coincidentally resembling the cube shape of the Ka’aba, the ancient structure in Mecca towards which all Muslims pray (the actual structure is glass, though MEMRI referenced a black plywood cover during construction),” Shahed Amanullah reports for alt.muslim.

“Predictibly, the post brought out cries of indignation from people upset that Muslims would be offended (yet again). But missing in the report was the name of the purported website, why it was considered authoritative on the matter, or any actual offended Muslims (our straw poll garnered a collective shrug, along with much respect for Steve Jobs, himself the son of an Arab). It’s not the first time the controversial organisation has selectively framed an issue to show Muslims in a less than positive light, nor is it the only instance of pre-emptive outrage attributed to Muslims in recent months,” Amanullah reports.

Amanullah reports, “In the case of the (selective) MEMRI account, where at least one Muslim did (allegedly) complain about the NYC Apple Store, it seems that whenever a lone Muslim says something incendiary – even when it is an anonymous person hiding in a cave somewhere – his words are taken to somehow represent all Muslims. When whole groups of Muslims issue condemnations of terrorism, they are treated as “brave but isolated cries”, or worse, ignored. In MEMRI’s case, the mainstream media has already begun reporting it as fact. When it comes to Muslims, everyone loves a rumor.”

Full article here.

Related article:
Apple’s ‘Mecca Project’ provokes Muslim reaction – October 11, 2006