Kesher Talk

Kesher Talk salutes a moderate Muslim man of action: Many people have complained that moderate Muslims, while seemingly a majority of the Muslim populace, never seem to get involved or counter the activities of their more radical peers. The Daily News illustrates a great example of a moderate Muslim man of action.

Muslim gas station attendant Syed Ali saved the Brooklyn synagogue Young Israel of Kings Bay yesterday from being torched by a Bosnian Muslim.

Syed was working at the Amoco station on Ocean Ave. in Sheepshead Bay at about 4 a.m. when he sold $2 worth of fuel to the alleged would-be arsonist.

The Pakistani immigrant said he watched in disbelief as Sead Jakup, 22, took the canister across the street and began dousing the Young Israel of Kings Bay synagogue.

Ali quickly called 911, and cops arrived before Jakup, could set the temple ablaze.

"Mr. Ali saved the shul [synagogue]," said Allen Popper, president of the synagogue. "He's a hero."

Ali said that Jakup first asked to pump gas into a plastic bucket. Assuming the man's car had run out of fuel, Ali gave him a gas can to fill up.

He said he "couldn't believe my eyes" when Jakup marched straight to the synagogue. "I saw him spilling gas on the sign in front of the synagogue," Ali said. "Then, he started spilling it onto the door - that is when I called 911."

But as Ali waited for the cops, Jakup returned, demanding a refill. Jakup was screaming, "I want more gas!" as he kicked the cashier's booth Ali was in. Police cars and fire trucks pulled up as Jakup allegedly tried to smash the booth's glass door with a trash can.

Ali declined to accept the mantle of hero, saying he did only what any responsible person would do. "It's a sacred place he was going to destroy," Ali said.

posted by Howard @ 1/10/2003 09:07:19 AM