FRANKLIN GRAHAM IS NOT AFRAID OF MUSLIMS
Muslim
Group Wants Christian Leader Barred from Canada
By Alison Espach
CNSNews.com Correspondent
July 17, 2006
(CNSNews.com) - An Islamic advocacy group wants Rev. Franklin Graham
barred from entering Canada because of allegedly hateful statements made towards
Islam. Graham's spokesman says the Evangelical minister's comments have been
"misconstrued" by some Muslims.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations of Canada (CAIR-CAN) claims allowing
Graham into Canada would be evidence of a "double standard." British Muslim
Riyad ul-Haq was denied entry into Canada in June after being accused of
inciting hatred towards Jews, Christians, and other non-Muslims - a violation of
Canada's so-called "hate
propaganda laws."
"We do not welcome hate-mongers," said Leslie Harmer, spokesperson for
Immigration Minister Monte Solberg, the official who ordered that Canadian
authorities block ul-Haq from entering the country.
CAIR-CAN noted that shortly after the 9/11 attacks Graham called Islam "a very
evil and a very wicked religion." The group argues that, like ul-Haq, Graham
should be forbidden to come to Canada for a scheduled visit later this year.
"The comments they have made are very widely available, and there isn't a great
deal of difference between the two individuals," CAIR-CAN Communications
Director Halima Mautbur told Cybercast News Service.
The group is further dismayed with the government's decision, because ul-Haq
promised he would not speak about anything controversial while he was in Canada.
CAIR-CAN Executive Director Karl Nickner said in a news release Thursday that
"some Canadian Muslims are wondering whether a double standard is being
applied."
"As Muslims and as Canadians," Nickner added, "we stand firmly against any
hateful religious speech by representatives of all faiths."
But Graham, who is president of his father's Billy Graham Evangelistic
Association (BGEA), previously explained that he does not hate Muslim people and
only wants to speak out about crimes committed in the name of Islam.
Jeremy Blume, a spokesman for the association, said Graham would not comment
further on the matter because he already responded in an opinion-editorial piece
for the Wall Street Journal, clarifying statements he said the Muslim community
misconstrued.
"It is not what he is about. He is about relief work, about spreading hope of
Jesus Christ," Blume said. "People misconstrue when he talks about it. They
think he is against Islam and people of Islam. That is why he wrote this, so
people could refer to it and just be done with it so he can get back to relief
work.""
In his essay, Graham said that he does not believe Muslims are evil people
because of their faith, adding that he has many Muslim friends.
"While as Christians we disagree with Islamic teachings, if we obey the
teachings of Jesus, we will love all Muslims," Graham wrote.
"But I decry the evil that has been done in the name of Islam, or any other
faith - including Christianity," Graham continued. "I believe it is my
responsibility to speak out against the terrible deeds that are committed as a
result of Islamic teaching."
Despite Graham's explanation, CAIR-CAN is demanding that the Canadian government
clarify its position on freedom of speech.
"We have sort of entered into an area which is creating a lot of confusion for
our community given the differential treatment of these two clerics," said
Mautbur. "It is incumbent on the government to provide some information to
Canadians about how exactly this sort of policy of censorship is going to be
used, and when it is going to be used."
Canadian officials have not responded to CAIR-CAN's complaints. Graham is still
scheduled to visit Winnipeg in October.