CANADA: WINNIPEG CANADIANS WANT GRAHAM TO APOLOGIZE TO MOSLEMS

Apologize to Muslims, Winnipeg groups urge U.S. evangelist

(CBC) - As Franklin Graham prepares to host thousands of Christians at his Central Canada Festival in Winnipeg this weekend, some local Christian groups are planning an opening-night rally calling on the popular U.S. minister to apologize for comments he has made about Islam.

"This is a highly appropriate time for Rev. Graham to retract comments of what amount to hatred of people because of their religion," Aiden Enns, organizer of Operation Bless Our Enemies, said Thursday.

"He would be seen as a bright light of forgiveness and also humility, and it's very strategic for him to make an apology at this time."

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Since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in New York and Washington, Franklin Graham, son of televangelist Billy Graham, has denounced Islam as a "very evil and wicked religion."

Enns said Graham has also made comments "which amount to essentially the use of nuclear weapons on countries like Iraq and Afghanistan, and that's highly incompatible with the Christian gospel."

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No plans to retract

With no admission charge, Graham's evangelistic festival aims to bring music and entertainment to "share the simple but profound truth that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life," organizer Dan Klug said.

Klug said he was not surprised by the rally and Graham has no plans to retract his comments this weekend.

"Franklin has expressed his concern in regard to the framework of Islamic faith," Klug said. "Their doctrine, the truths that they proclaim to be true and communicate. Franklin does not have any ill will towards the Muslim people."

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Pertinent Links:

1) Apologize to Muslims, Winnipeg groups urge U.S. evangelist