KISSIMMEE - The Anti-Defamation League has criticized an Islamic conference for inviting a cleric who once called on God to "terminate" Jews and urged Muslims to shun peace with Israel.
The newly formed Universal Heritage Foundation is sponsoring the appearance by Shaikh Abdur-Rahman Al-Sudais. Foundation leaders say thousands of people may attend the conference where a culinary school once stood, along U.S. 192 near Florida's Turnpike.
Zulfiqar Ali Shah, chairman and chief executive officer of the foundation, said he envisioned it as a home base in Florida's tourist corridor that would attract Islamic scholars and promote tolerance among religious groups.
But Mark Medin, Florida regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, said several of the two dozen announced speakers for the conference this month have preached hatred.
"It raises questions and concerns for us about what the ultimate goal and message of the Universal Heritage Foundation is," Medin said.
Rita Katz, who heads a nonprofit antiterrorism research center in Washington, said American Muslim leaders should not invite individuals like Al-Sudais, who are "virulently intolerant of the West and other religions."
Altaf Ali, Florida director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Al-Sudais and the other speakers are highly respected.
"I personally have never heard any of these individuals say anything hateful," Ali said. Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, he said, "Anybody associated with a mosque is immediately (considered) a terrorist suspect. We are being found guilty by association."
