Muslim civil rights group files FCC complaint over incitement to violence

WASHINGTON, May 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today filed a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) complaint against a radio talk show host in Texas who yesterday advocated bombing a proposed New York City mosque. The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said Houston radio host Michael Berry (KTRH-AM 740) made that call to violence on his May 26 program. In his response to a caller named "Tony" who supported the right to build the planned mosque in New York -- an effort that has come under rhetorical attack by anti-Islam extremists -- Berry said: "No, no, Tony, you can't build a mosque at the site of 9/11. No, you can't. No, you can't. And I'll tell you this -- if you do build a mosque, I hope somebody blows it up. . .I hope the mosque isn't built, and if it is, I hope it's blown up, and I mean that."

Hear Michael Berry's Call to Violence: http://www.cair.com/audio/michaelberry.wav

[Berry has in the past been a guest host for nationally-syndicated broadcasters like Mark Levin, Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly.]

"Calls for acts of violence against houses of worship must never be tolerated or excused," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. "We ask the FCC to demonstrate that incitement to violence is never acceptable on our nation's airwaves."

He said Berry's call to violence against an American mosque is of particular concern, coming as it does after a bombing at a mosque in Jacksonville, Fla., earlier this month.

SEE: Lt. Gov. Tours Mosque that was Bombed

http://www.news4jax.com/news/23684961/detail.html

Awad noted that the planned New York mosque is being opposed by a collection of anti-Islam hate-mongers, one of whom recently launched an Islamophobic bus advertisement campaign in that city.

SEE: NYC Woman's Ad Crusade - Say No to Islam (Video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1Y3ybmLWjY

CAIR recently expressed concern about a "growing atmosphere of anti-Muslim sentiment" nationwide.

SEE: Tea Party Leader Says Muslims Worship 'Monkey-God' http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20100519/pl_usnw/DC07826_1

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding. Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/CAIR/42590232694. Subscribe to CAIR's E-Mail List http://tinyurl.com/cairsubscribe.

CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: [email protected]; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations