CAIR-Tampa Asks to Speak at Church with Anti-Islam Sign

(TAMPA, FL, 7/9/2009) The Tampa chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Tampa) today asked to speak about Islam and the American Muslim community at a Gainesville, Fla., church that has a sign claiming Islam is of the devil on its property. In his address to church members, Kiliç would ask that the offensive sign be taken down as a gesture to promote greater interfaith understanding and tolerance.

The church's senior pastor has been quoted saying: "We actually posted the sign because there is a tremendous growth in Islam at this time. It is a violent and oppressive religion and does not have anything to do with the truth of the Bible."

SEE: Anti-Islam Church Sign Stirs Up Community Outrage (Gainesville Sun)
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090708/articles/907081008
SEE ALSO: Crowd Gathers in Protest in Front of Church (Gainesville sun)
http://tinyurl.com/nddvc5
Floridians Hold Protest Over Anti-Islam Church Sign
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx0FdnSPS9Q

Our research has shown that anti-Muslim prejudice is linked to low levels of awareness of what Muslims really believe, said CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Ramzy Kiliç. By speaking to the churchs congregation, I would hope to dispel misconceptions and enhance their understanding of Islam and the American Muslim experience.

Kiliç said stereotyping of Islam and Muslims can lead hate incidents such as a recent assault on a Muslim woman and her baby in Seattle.

SEE: Man Charged with Hate Crime for Threatening Muslim Woman (Seattle Times)
http://tinyurl.com/nyghzm

He said other recent bias-motivated incidents include two teens arrested after vandalism of an Islamic school and mosque in the Miami area. They told the police the vandalism had been planned for months. One of the teens charged in the hate crime said all Muslims are terrorists.

SEE: Police: 2 Vandalized Mosque (Miami Herald)
http://tinyurl.com/attack-on-mosque

The same school and Mosque was attacked when it was riddled with bullets early January of this year.

SEE: Still No Answers in West Kendall Mosque Shooting (Miami Herald)
http://tinyurl.com/west-kendall

Last month, a Los Angeles area Islamic Center was the target of a hate crime when graffiti death-threat messages were left on its walls.

SEE: Islamic Center Tagged with Graffiti (OC Register)
http://tinyurl.com/okozdp

Earlier this year, more than 20 people used bullhorns to shout slurs against the faith of Islam and Islams Prophet Muhammad at those attending a Tampa area Mosque. Anti-Muslim literature was handed out. The act was classified as a hate incident by the FBI.




SEE: Group Protests Islam Outside Tampa Mosque (Tampa Tribune)
http://tinyurl.com/c8pqja

As a precaution, the Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy group is urging Muslims nationwide to review security procedures using advice contained in its "Muslim Community Safety Kit."

SEE: CAIR Muslim Community Safety Kit
http://www.cair.com/ActionCenter/CommunityToolKit.aspx

CAIR recently launched a major initiative, called Share the Quran, to educate American leaders about Islam. In that initiative, American Muslims are being asked to sponsor distribution of free copies of the Quran, Islams revealed text, to 100,000 local, state and national leaders.

SEE: Share the Quran
http://www.explorethequran.com/
SEE ALSO: Muslim Group Shares Quran to Promote Understanding
http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/36553/

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

- END -

CONTACT: CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Ramzy Kiliç, 813-486-2529; E-Mail: rkilic@cair.com

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• CAIR
• Council
• on
• American-Islamic
• Relations
• Islam
• church
• Florida
• sign