After Miami and New York, creators behind the "Leave Islam" advertisement banner thought Detroit would be the next logical stop. Well, that's what they thought; it turns out the Motor City was not too keen on the banner being placed on their buses.
According to the Washington Post, the city of Detroit is being sued for their refusal to run the ads from Stop Islamization of America, an organization headed by conservative activist and anti-Islam blogger, Pam Geller.
Apparently, transit officials in Miami were hesitant to post the ads as well but when the threat of a lawsuit was put on the table, they buckled. In the case of Detroit, Geller has stated that she is ready to take the suit to supreme court if she must.
The ad in its entirety reads: "Fatwah on your head? Is your family or community threatening you? Leaving Islam? Got Questions? Get answers!" Then, below the bold print, there is a website that links to organizations that serve Muslim apostates. Fine.
Reading the above statement does nothing for most American Muslims, in fact the sentiment is absolutely laughable. American Muslims are the ones fighting for their right to be Muslim, to wear this hijab, to not be gunned down by the FBI, and to get off a bus without getting jumped by non-Muslims. Fatwah over our heads?, get out of here! Laughable.
The majority of American Muslims simply want the opportunity to explain and demystify their media tainted religion, then they want to be left alone to practice it. Every Muslim knows that there is no compulsion in religion, since it is clearly stated in the Holy Book. Those that let their culture and, more importantly, their ego get in the way of an obvious edict in the Quran, well, good luck on The Day of Judgement, guys.
To quote CAIR-MI executive director Dawud Walid on the subject, "The ads are to serve a purpose - to incite Islamophobia. The average person here will see them for what they are." Yes, let us have faith in the amazing Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Dearborn communities. Rock on.
Check out Brother Walid's blog entry which gives the reader a background into the actions and beliefs of two main people behind the creation and distribution of such ads. Yikes!
The Ann Arbor Islamic Issues Examiner commends SMART on their refusal to spread misunderstanding and hate under the guise of free speech. That, is smart!
