The Islamic Center of Long Island commends Mayor Rudolph Giuliani for taking a strong stand against the exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum of Art that blasphemes Virgin Mary.

The Muslims of the United States greatly value the First Amendment rights to free speech; however, just as the right to free speech does not include the right to cry "fire" in a crowded theater, it also should not include the right to insult, defame or blaspheme historical figures deemed holy by the major world religions.

Virgin Mary, who is referred to as Maryam in the Qur'an, is held in deep veneration by Christians and Muslims alike. Any attack on Virgin Mary is an attack on all that is pure, wholesome and holy in the human spirit. We call upon the art community in the United States to practice their craft with awareness of their responsibility towards society, to be a force for good and not for evil. We specifically call upon the Brooklyn Museum of Art to cancel this offensive exhibit, and we support Giuliani in his efforts toward this end.

Islamic Center of Long Island