By Jeff Kunerth, Orlando Sentinel, January 1, 2013
Local Muslim organizations have started a media campaign stressing the commonality of Christians, Muslims and Jews. The billboards proclaiming “Same family, Same message” sprouting throughout the Orlando and Daytona Beach areas are sponsored by the Longwood-based American Muslim Community Centers, the Islamic Center of Orlando and the United Muslim Foundation in Lake Mary.
“In the holiday season, people are more spiritual,” said AMCC Chairman Atif Fareed. “The idea is this would be an ideal time to spread the message that we are really from the same source: one family, one message.”
Billboards link Islam to Christianity and Judaism (Jeff Kunerth / January 1, 2013)
The billboards, which have several different slogans, refer motorists to the whyislam.org website of the New York-based Islamic Circle of North America. The organization’s “Why Islam” campaign is intended to raise awareness and correct misconceptions about a religion many Americans associate with terrorism.
“Our goal is to reach out and start a dialogue with our fellow Americans,” said ICNA President Zahid Bukhari.
The Orlando billboards began going up a few days before an apparently demented woman pushed a Hindu man to his death in front of a New York subway on Dec. 27. The woman said she did it because she hated Muslims and Hindus for the terrorist attacks of 9-11.
Fareed, a commercial airline pilot, said the idea came when he saw the Why Islam billboards in Pensacola, and thought it would be a good way to introduce his organization to Central Florida residents. Relatively new to Orlando, AMCC opened its Longwood community center in June.
“If they can do it in Pensacola, Florida,” Fareed said, “we can do it in Orlando, Florida.”
Article Courtesy: Orlando Sentinel
4 Responses to “Billboards stress commonality of religions”
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Ellinor Stanner, Germany, January 15, 2013:Dear Fellow Believers in the ONE, who made Abraham become the father of Ishmael and Isaac,
may I address you?
Malachi [B.Mal:4,5] says, – that before the ‘day of days’ [Q:78.39] – Elijah will come to “turn the hearts of parents to their children and the hearts of the children to their parents, so that I will not come and strike the land with a curse.”
Always did the Father of Heaven and Earth send heralds into time.
Now – that time will end – he sends His messenger, again as baptizer. John the Baptist, the Elijah, returned will purify this
earth. He gave us His Word (like manifold predicted), teaches us to distinguish truth from delusion, to comprehend our life and the chance of return to the One Father embedded therein.
In English the Baptist’s Word may be read online, for free, athttp://www.elija.de . Please click on the ‘British Flag’ and then on ‘Downloads’.
In works of art (e.g.:‘Retable d’Issenheim’) John is frequently depicted holding a book. His right-hand finger usually points upwards to the One
Father.
Your Scripture (Q.) also refers to this book, and manifold to the way to the ONE Father. John’s present word to us has the title: “…that I Preserve you from the Judgement of the Lord” He wishes to take us to the Father of Heaven and Earth.
Personally I am thankful for his guidance. Sincerely, Ellinor -
Rosita, Arlington, mass, January 3, 2013:Wish we have it in Massachusetts too.
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Nur Al Zaman via Facebook, January 2, 2013:S.2:136= Say, [O believers], “We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Descendants and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him.”
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Uzma Javed via Facebook, January 2, 2013:Wish to have these in Houston too!!