Why Islam? Launches Highway Ad Campaign in California

A Why Islam? billboard in Portland, OR. Courtesy Why Islam?

Following on the heels of a successful three-month campaign to provide accurate and unbiased information about Islam to the general public by displaying advertisements on San Francisco’s public buses, light rail, and cable cars (see July 2009 Washington Report, p. 45), the Bay Area chapter of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) recently began displaying billboard advertisements alongside Highways 101, 680 and 880 throughout San Jose and Santa Clara, California. (Other states are doing the same.)

The ads feature the toll-free hotline 1-877-WhyIslam (949-4752) and the Web site <http://www.whyislam.org>.

“As American Muslims, it is our religious and civic responsibility to present the truth about Islam and to make sure that all Americans are informed about this religion,” said ICNA Bay Area president Obaid Siddiqui in a Sept. 9, 2009 press release. “Our ultimate goal is to bring about a positive change in the society where we can have a healthy dialogue.”

—Elaine Pasquini