A Christian radio station canceled an advertising contract with a Muslim organization, saying the spots didn't serve its listeners because the group recruits people to Islam.
Christopher Gould, general manager at WTBN-AM, said it was unfortunate a contract had been signed but the company reserves the right to reject advertising after review.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations' ad discussed an event promoting dialogue between Christians and Muslims at the University of South Florida.
"This is exactly why we need to be doing programs like this," said Ahmed Bedier, director of the council's central Florida office. He said "there's a lot of misinformation about Islam and relations are strained," The Tampa Tribune reported.
Bedier said the meeting's intent was not conversion but dialogue and protection of civil liberties. But Gould said the council's Web site showed it is "clearly interested in recruiting people" to Islam.
WTBN is one of 95 stations owned by Salem Communications. Gould said the company would equally bar ads by Mormons or Jehovah's Witnesses because "we're here to serve evangelical Christians."