A prominent US pastor and a former advisor to President George W. Bush has drawn fire from leaders in the Muslim minority, rights activists and politicians for calling Islam a "dangerous" religion. "It appears that he He said he has tried unsuccessfully to meet with Dozier. "I want a chance to
Appearing on the Steve Kane Radio Show, The Rev. O'Neal Dozier, a Broward clergyman and an ally of Governor Jeb Bush, criticized Islam as a "cult" religion. "The Islamic religion in my view is a cult,'' Dozier told the Herald Friday, July 7 , when asked to recap the controversial comments he made earlier on the show. "On the show I said that Islam is a dangerous religion," he added, refusing to disavow his comments.
Experts says that Dozier's comments reflect a "serious split" in the black community. "For the first time, you are seeing a group of black pastors following the white fundamentalist leaders of our country," said Lawrence Mamiya, an activist and professor of religion and Africana studies at New York's Vassar College.
Traditionally, blacks and Muslims in America have forged a healthy, harmonious relationship — in part because their leaders
If Dozier's sentiments about Islam were to become a trend, it would cause a "serious split in the black community
Gov. Bush's office issued a statement distancing him from Dozier. "Gov. Bush in no way shares Rev. Dozier's views on Islam
Dozier has gained notoriety among American Muslims for his fierce opposition to a plan by the Islamic Center of South Florida to build a center in Northwest Pompano Beach despite city-approved plans allowing the mosque to go forward. In an interview with the Herald last week, Dozier said :"We don't want our area to be a breeding ground for terrorists."
CAIR has launched a campaign designed to curb anti-Muslim hatred on American radio talk shows. The campaign, called