Muslim Group Launches D.C. Bus Ad Campaign Promoting Interfaith Unity
Geller's ad falsely claims that the Quran encourages Muslims to hate Jews. CAIR's ad, which is appearing on more than 20 buses on routes similar to those carrying Geller's hate advertisement, features a Christian, a Muslim and a Jew stating "this verse speaks for me" in reference to a verse from the Quran stressing Islam's respect for other faiths:
"Verily, those who have attained to faith, as well as those who follow the Jewish faith, and the Christians ... all who believe in God and the Last Day and do righteous deeds - shall have their reward with their Sustainer; and no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve." (2:62)
During a news conference this morning at CAIR's Capitol Hill headquarters in Washington, D.C., Muslim, Christian and Jewish leaders repudiated Geller's hate campaign and offered their own alternative message of inclusion and mutual understanding.
In a statement prepared for the news conference, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said in part: We are here today because of the urgent need for all Americans, and particularly our nation's political and religious leaders, to stand against the voices of hatred and bigotry that seek to create divisions in our society and to poison relations between faiths.
"We are here to say that we, as faith leaders and advocates of civil and religious rights, stand united in our desire to strengthen the bonds that made America strong and to build a society based on mutual understanding and respect for diversity.
"Whenever religious hatred is being promoted with falsehoods, it is the duty of faith leaders to respond with a strong message of unity to show the hate-mongers that they inhabit the margins of American society, not the mainstream.
"The desire to challenge misinformation and intolerance brought us together today, but we should not allow our actions to be governed by those who promote hate.
"Instead, we must use this as an opportunity to solidify and strengthen the growing coalition of individuals and groups that embrace our nation's founding ideals."
He noted that there is a growing list of incidents nationwide that can be attributed to the promotion of Islamophobia.
Source: CAIR
