20 November 2004	Saturday	07 Shawwal 1425

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 19: The American Muslim community was outraged at comments made on MSNBC television's "Imus in the Morning" programme that referred to Palestinians as "filthy animals" and suggested that they all be killed.

American Muslim organizations are asking for an apology from the program's host, Don Imus, and his colleague for their inflammatory remarks. The American Muslim Voice's Executive Director Samina Faheem Sundas on Friday called for an apology from the programme's host and said these remarks would only provide license to practice hate and discrimination in an already divided society.

In a letter to MSNBC President Neal Shapiro, the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) stated that these hate-filled and racist remarks can only serve to legitimize anti-Muslim and anti-Arab bigotry, leading to further discrimination against Muslims, especially those of Arab origin.

Muslim organizations are also protesting against a signboard at a store in Santa Monica, California, which calls Palestinians "murderous scum pigs". The store is owned by a member of the Jewish Defence League (JDL), Bunnie Meyers.