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| Q Train Hero Is Honored By Own Community |
| 2007-12-23 |
| The Muslim college student who aided a group of Jews who were attacked on the subway as they were celebrating Hanukkah received another special honor Friday – this time from his own community. Walter Adler and Hassan Askari have been almost inseparable since a bias attack on the Q train several weeks ago. They've become local celebrities. Friday they were together again in Jackson Heights as Askari was honored by his fellow Bangladeshis for coming to the aide of Adler and his friends. “I’m from the capital, I’m from Dhaka, and I feel great. It's good to be recognized as being from Dhaka,” said Askari. “Ninety percent of the people from our country is Muslim, so we are very proud. He did a very good thing. That's what Islam taught us,” said community activist Hasanuzzaman Hassan. In addition to the praise and recognition, Askari got a $250 check and an unlimited monthly MetroCard from the America-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce, as well as a proclamation from Senator John Sabini. “Some of the merchants and business leaders wanted to show their love and respect and their appreciation for someone who has become a hero to them and I think it's a great thing,” said Sabini. Askari and Adler say the other great thing is their newfound friendship. “He came over to my parents’ house on the last night of Hanukkah. I think that I have some interest in attending a Jumah [Friday prayer] with him sometime in the coming weeks, so that I can understand a little bit more about his religion,” said Adler. Both men say they are also planning to use their story to try to bring their communities closer together. |
| Posted by:ryuge |
| #1 How long before this hero is defamed as an apostate? |
| Posted by: doc 2007-12-23 14:13 |