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Also this issue: Constitutional Irony Gale Warning Dog and Pony Show The Bell Curve |
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July 3- 9, 2003
city beat
Less words, more story.
The Fourth of July is traditionally a red, white and blue kind of holiday. But in Philadelphia this time around, yellow is the operative hue. As in the yellow-level terrorist alert shrouding the city and country.
So, with the big National Constitution Center grand opening slated for tomorrow, there must be a hint of tension in the Independence Mall air, right? Wrong.
For Philadelphians hanging out in the park eating lunch last week, the biggest worry was shunning the hordes of tourists expected to flood the city to see a big bell and celebrate America in its birthplace.
"Nobody seems like they're worried about it," said Jennie McClellan while having a bite to eat in the shade of a tall hedge with friends Denise Turner and Jason Goslin.
Even outsiders like Carolyn Archdeacon, in town from Colorado visiting family for the week, said she wasn't touring in fear.
Still, everybody isn't blasé about the inevitable possibilities of danger in a war on terror era. Sure, Independence Hall stands right where it did in 1777 but today, a double row of metal, security fences sit nearby with -- ironically -- red, white and blue swags hanging from them.
Neither the white security tent that screens visitors nor the park rangers dotting the lawns can really go unnoticed either.
"It seems like two rangers pretty much on every corner," commented Britt Stadig, a Philadelphian who's leaving town for the holiday weekend but remains confident her city will be standing upon her return.
Saddled with that mighty task, the Independence National Historical Park will be guarded by an increased number of rangers who will handle up to 12,000 expected visitors. They'll also work with city officials to keep a watchful eye on the festivities.
"We prepare for what-ifs," said Park Service spokesman Phil Sheridan. "Everything from heat-related problems to terrorism issues." —Kelly Housen
It's no secret that the Pennsylvania Convention Center could use a little divine intervention these days, so maybe we should hope that Muslims convening there this week could leave some spiritual energy behind before they leave. If so Hall A just might have the most powerful vibe -- stronger than any carpenter could muster -- floating from it.
Today, a gargantuan Koran billed as the world's largest at 4 feet by 6 feet and a whopping 1,500 pounds will arrive as part of the Islamic Circle of North America and Muslim American Society's joint national convention.
"Our religion does not allow one to express their feelings through outlets such as music or drawing," says Raza Farrukh, chairperson of the event. "This (giant Koran) allows us to express our feelings through the art of calligraphy."
The calligraphy in this particular Koran is multicolored and spans over 600 pages of canvas sheets.
"Mostly this art consists of Korans written centuries ago. This (giant) Koran [completed in 2002] will give us a chance to exhibit contemporary Muslim art," Farrukh says. "Local people don't often get to visit the Middle East as travel is very restricted. We want a home for it in the U.S. so it can get more exposure and a large population can see and enjoy it."
Fourth of July weekend marks the first trip the giant Koran has made outside of Iran, where 27 artists worked on the holy book for seven years. After being featured at this weekend's event, caretakers for the book will continue seeking a home for it somewhere in the U.S. (Farrukh says cities including Chicago, Cleveland, New York City and Philadelphia are expected to vie for the right to house the Koran, which is currently in its artists' care.)
Admission to view the Koran is free to non-Muslims. And for those Christians who are interested, the giant Koran wins the battle of the biggest holy books since the world's largest Bible, according to a British Broadcasting Corp. report, is only 2 1/2 feet by 5 feet and a paltry 220 pounds. —Erin Zlomek
Independence National Historical Park (INHP) is known as the birthplace of our nation, a place where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were created. And in this historic district, surely the Liberty Bell, an international symbol of peace and freedom, tops most tourists' must-see lists.
Soon, though, they'll have to update their tour-bus maps since the Liberty Bell is moving to Sixth and Market streets, directly atop where President George Washington's home once stood. Which happens to also be the spot where he kept eight enslaved Africans. Enter the controversy.
The acknowledgement of these slaves wasn't part of INHP's design plans until the Avenging The Ancestors Coalition (ATAC) spearheaded a letter-writing campaign that resulted in a decision to appropriately commemorate the lives of the enslaved Africans. The improved plans for the treatment of the slaves were revealed to the public in January but ATAC spokesperson Michael Coard says there's still a big beef.
"There must be black historians, black planners, black designers, black architects, black construction workers, etc. who are actively and substantively involved in every step of this commemorative project," says Coard, noting his group also wants the former slave quarters clearly marked. And to that end, ATAC plans a 4 p.m. protest at the Liberty Bell today. —Ainé Ardron-Doley
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