The paper reacted strongly to a planned campaign by the Islamic Circle of North America to place ads on subways in New York during Ramadan. 

The black-and-white ads of the Subway Project promote Islam with the goals of clearing up long-held misconceptions about the faith and reaching out to those interested in becoming Muslim, according to ICNA.  The ads come in pairs, reading "Q: Prophet Muhammad?" or "Q: Islam?" and the corresponding answer is always "A: You deserve to know." Those interested in knowing more are directed to call (877) WHY-ISLAM or to visit whyislam.org.

But the Post stirred up controversy by running a cover photograph of Brooklyn based Imam Siraj Wahhaj with the headline "Jihad Train" and posting an article on its Web site with the headline "Train-ing day for jihadists" and the first paragraph saying, "Allah aboard!"

Wahhaj was the first Muslim to lead a prayer before the House of Representatives, but the paper linked him to Shaikh Omar Abdel-Rahman, who was convicted for the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. 

"The comments in the New York Post article were inaccurate, misleading, anti-Islam, anti-Muslim, and provocative,” Wahhaj said at a press conference on July 24.

Wahhaj was a character witness for Abdel-Rahman, but told CNN that was in the context of "what we knew about him before the incident," citing him as a "scholar in Islam" and "a great reciter of the Quran."

"People try to make the connection as if I'm endorsing some bad deeds that [were] done by Shaikh Abdel-Rahman," he said. "That had nothing to do with it."

Republican lawmaker Peter King has urged the New York’s Metropolitan Transit Authority to cancel the campaign.

"I strongly believe the MTA should pull the ads," King said.

"They are especially shameful because the ads will be running during the seventh anniversary of September 11, and because the subways are considered a primary target of terrorists."

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg did not join in King's outrage about the ads.

"If you were to advocate becoming a Muslim, I assume the First Amendment would protect you," Bloomberg told CNN.

A spokesman for ICNA argued that the types of statements King made show precisely the need for the project.

"There is a lot of Islamophobia out there,” said Azeem Khan, the group's assistant secretary general.  “We provide people with a chance to speak with an actual Muslim who is informed."

Some 4.9 million people ride New York subways daily, according to a promotional video for the campaign.

The group is paying MTA $48,000 to run the ads.

Meantime, to show “solidarity and support with Why Islam, and Imam Siraj, [and] to expand on their work,” Muslimchannels.tv has announced a national billboard ad campaign designed to promote peace, interfaith cooperation, and dispel misconceptions of Islam. 

Spokesman Tarek Ayoub  told InFocus the group has started a contest to submit design ideas for the billboard ad campaign.

“Insha’Allah (God-willing), the designs selected will gain good recognition as they will be featured on the billboards,” Ayoub said.  “We hope the first billboard will be up during Ramadan, and many more before year end.”
Ayoub said cash and prizes will be awarded to those who submit the best designs.

On the Web: www.Muslimchannels.tv