: “Operation Save America”: A Week Of Mosque-Picketing Begins

Aside from the well-publicized statements of various evangelical Christian leaders denouncing Islam in the media, the average Muslim on the street has not personally felt the wrath of evangelical Christian America. For the most part, groups on the Christian right have been more focused on getting their message out about issues such as abortion and homosexuality. You’d think that these groups would have their hands full on both these fronts, but one group that calls itself “Operation Save America” is making room in its busy schedule of events this week in Charlotte, North Carolina to protest at mosques. “We’re a people that just takes the gospel to the streets,” said OSA head Rev. Flip Benham. “God has called us here.” The organization is planning nine days of protests and seminars, including topics such as “Why Are All Terrorists Muslim?” The three major Muslim organizations in Charlotte have been quick to build ties with local police to prevent protests from getting violent, and held a well-attended interfaith dinner last week to build ties with other religious groups in advance of the week of protests. “We’ve done our research on this group,” said Islamic Center of Charlotte spokesman Mujahid Idlibi. “Just from a verbal confrontation, violence can erupt out of it and we just don’t want any type of possibility of that to arise.” Despite the seriousness of their very existence being protested, Muslim groups are not planning counterprotests in order to keep a lid on tensions. “We believe he just wants to incite anger out of us,” explained Idlibi. In fact, the Muslim community is taking advantage of the sympathy and publicity to strengthen ties with civic and religious groups, and to educate others about their community. “[The attention] has offered us an opportunity to bring our message forward,” said Rose Hamid, spokeperson for the Muslim Women of the Carolinas.

Shahed Amanullah is editor-in-chief of altmuslim.com.