Twin visions

Islam: Moderates and radicals wrestle for the soul of Islam in Minneapolis-St. Paul and beyond | Mark Bergin

First: Last fall Muslim cab drivers at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport refused service to alcohol-toting passengers. A national debate ensued: Should civil-rights laws protect such religious convictions? Or was this merely a political stunt to test the elasticity of American pluralism?

Second: In November six imams generated a stir at the same airport, reportedly praying loudly in the gate area, angrily discussing U.S. foreign policy as they boarded a plane, and requesting seatbelt extensions that witnesses feared might be used as weapons. Authorities detained the Muslim clerics for questioning and released them several hours later.

Third: Recently, Muslim cashiers at Minneapolis-area Target stores refused to scan pork products, citing Quranic teaching that pigs are unclean. Target accommodated its employees with new positions away from the checkout lines.