Philadelphia Clerics Call Controversy Over Anti-Muslim Bus Ads a Teaching Moment
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A couple of days after anti-Islam advertisements began running on Septa buses, Philadelphia's religious leaders gave a measured response to the ads.
They suggested the messages, which Septa was forced to run after losing a court ruling, are an opportunity to better acquaint people with the Muslim religion.
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The black-and-white posterboard ads state that Islamic hatred of Jews is "in the Quran," to which Imam Mohammed Abdul-Aleem (top photo) replies, "I invite you to read the Quran for yourself. If someone is saying the Quran teaches hate, we want them to show us that in the Quran."
Septa was forced to run the ads after losing a court battle to AFDI, a right-wing fringe group that sued Septa after the transit agency refused to run them.
Many clergy and civic leaders have denounced the ads, but Abdul-Aleem and others gathered today at Masjidullah, in Oak Lane, to focus on salvaging some good out of them.
Rabbi Nancy Kreimer says free speech sometimes has consequences, but the best remedy is to put out a counter message.
"So keep your voices up," she said. "Let's make a lot of noise and drown out the noise of the hate with noise of love."
