August 19, 2002
Graham reiterates view that Islam not peaceful
___WASHINGTON (RNS)--Evangelist Franklin Graham has again drawn criticism from a Muslim organization after saying the Koran "speaks of violence" against other religious groups and Muslim clerics should apologize for Sept. 11 terrorism.
___Graham, who created controversy with similar remarks just months after the terrorist attacks, reiterated his views in interviews and in a new book, "The Name," released Aug. 6 by Thomas Nelson Publishers.
___"The Koran speaks of violence against Christians and Jews," he said in an interview. "I didn't write the Koran--read it for yourself. It's there. So you make up your own mind whether you think it's evil or not."
___In the book and the interview, Graham said the God of Christianity is not the same as Allah in Islam.
___The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Washington-based Muslim advocacy group, called portions of Graham's book "defamatory" and asked religious leaders to denounce such comments.
___"Mainstream political leaders and religious figures must speak out against the growing demonization of Islam by extremist right-wing commentators and by representatives of the evangelical Christian community," said Ibrahim Hooper, communications director for the Islamic council. "Defamatory attacks on other faiths can only lead to a spiral of distrust and intolerance that will divide our society along religious lines."
___Graham, the son of evangelist Billy Graham and the president of his father's evangelistic association, said he hopes others will be tolerant and permit him to express his views.
___"The problem I have with Islam is the silence from the clerics around the world," he said. "These so-called Islamic groups that try to challenge my statements--I don't care about these guys. Who are these guys? Where are the clerics? ... I would like to see an apology from the clerics. I would like for the chief clerics of Saudi Arabia to come to this country, go to Ground Zero and say to America, 'We are sorry.'"
The Baptist Standard
News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.
Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!/ Signup for FirstLook