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CAIR Bulletin – August 3, 3005
DC radio host claims Quran teaches Muslims to lie
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 3, 2005: The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on a Washington, D.C., radio station to address the incitement of anti-Muslim hatred caused by its talk show hosts. CAIR issued that call after a replacement for a talk show host suspended for anti-Islam remarks made similarly Islamophobic comments.
On Friday, July 29, WMAL-AM replacement host Geoff Metcalf stated: "And by the way, let me just add a sidebar here that's significant, and everybody forgets this, but according to the Quran, believers in Islam are not required to tell infidels, and that's us, the truth. So they apparently have permission to lie when it is appropriate." Most callers to the program expressed similar hostility to Muslims and to the faith of Islam.
Metcalf was replacing host Michael Graham, who was suspended without pay by the station for stating repeatedly that "Islam is a terrorist organization." Graham was suspended when CAIR initiated a public campaign against WMAL and the station's advertisers after receiving complaints from Muslim listeners.
In a statement, WMAL President and General Manager Chris Berry said that Graham would be suspended for statements that "crossed the line." "We do not condone his position and believe his statements were irresponsible," said Berry. (WMAL is owned by the Walt Disney Co.)
"We are strong supporters of the First Amendment, but it is disingenuous to misuse it as a shield for incitement to religious hatred," said CAIR Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. "WMAL needs to address the promotion of Islamophobia by its talk show hosts if the station is to maintain credibility with mainstream listeners and advertisers."
Hooper said CAIR is calling on Washington-area Muslims to contact WMAL advertisers and express their concerns. He added that people of all faiths may obtain a free copy of the Quran, Islam's revealed text, by going to: www.explorethequran.org
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