US: Conservatives condemn Pentagon for pulling Graham from event

"His past comments about Islam are not consistent with the multi-faith emphasis and inclusiveness of this event at the Pentagon." [Col. Tom Collins, Army Spokesperson]

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | US Desk
Source: Multiple, including Religious News, Compass News
By Ahmadiyya Times Staff | April 27, 2010

Religion News Service has reported that many conservative Christian leaders decried the Army's decision to officially un-invite evangelist Franklin Graham from a Pentagon event on the National Day of Prayer.

The alleged the decision was driven by Rev. Graham’s infamous outbursts against Islam.

Graham, who is this year's honorary chair of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, was scheduled to speak at a May 6 event. The planned event was coordinated by the independent task force with the chaplain's office at Pentagon.

The Army spokesman, Col. Tom Collins, conveyed that Army leaders found it to be "problematic" to include Rev. Graham in the annual program. "His past comments about Islam are not consistent with the multi-faith emphasis and inclusiveness of this event at the Pentagon," Collins was reported to have said.


Tony Perkins, President of Family Research Council complained that Graham's "deeply held biblical convictions" should not have been made to be a reason to deny him the opportunity to speak at the National Day of Prayer event.

-- Compiled by Ahmadiyya Times from multiple sources