More than 100 Muslims demonstrated outside a local CBS affiliate Saturday to protest a 60 Minutes interview in which the Rev. Jerry Falwell brands the prophet Muhammad a "terrorist."
"We are here to ask Channel 11 not to broadcast the segment tomorrow," said Masrur J. Khan, spokesman for the Islamic Society of Greater Houston.
Local Muslim leaders condemned Falwell, calling the statements made in the interview scheduled to air today on KHOU-Channel 11 bigoted, irresponsible and sacrilegious. They fear the religious right leader's comments may lead to attacks on American Muslims.
Peter Diaz, KHOU president and general manager, issued a statement after the protest.
"While we respect the opinions of all groups and leaders in our community, no one has seen this program, including KHOU," he said.
Diaz continued: "60 Minutes is arguably the most respected news program in the world. They trust the American public to make up their own minds about issues and opinions expressed on the program. We'll trust Houstonians to make up their minds too."
During the 60 Minutes interview, Falwell called Islam's most sacred figure a "violent man, a man of war."
According to an article on the CBS Web site, the comments appear in a segment on Falwell and conservative Christians' support of Israel, and their belief that "the turmoil in the Middle East is a harbinger of the second coming of Christ."
Standing on sidewalks outside the TV station on Allen Parkway, members of the local Muslim community held signs that read: "Islam for Peace," "Work for Peace not War/Hatred" and "Moses, Jesus, Muhammed: Pious Prophets of God."
Ahmed Bhadelia, 9, of Sugar Land held a sign with his father, Abdul, that read: "We Respect all Prophets."
"I'm a Muslim and I never said anything against any other religions," he said. "So why do people say things about Islam?"
Bhadelia added that 60 Minutes will be hurting a lot of Muslims if it runs the segment.
His belief was echoed by Qasim Ahmed, imam of Houston Masjid of Al-Islam. Masjid is Arabic for mosque.
"Our position is that it is unfair to us, and unfair to our religion," Ahmed said. "People want healing, not war and controversy."