Muslims will show patriotism July 4

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- A joint convention of the Islamic Circle of North America and the Muslim American Society will be held in Philadelphia over the Independence Day holiday and is expected to bring $16 million in revenue to the city, officials said.
Some 15,000 American Muslims are expected to attend events at the Pennsylvania Convention Center July 4-6. The organizations said they are coming to show their patriotism, celebrate the holiday and make a statement about "the struggle for liberty and justice," their theme.
Events include a reading by Muslims of the Bill of Rights at the Liberty Bell on July 4.
"The whole convention will focus on what are American ideals, what are Islamic ideals, and how far America has really drifted away from these ideals," Talat Sultan, Islamic Circle's president, said Friday.
Growing fast
Muslims say Islam is the fastest growing religion in the United States, with 6 million members. Those coming to Philadelphia will be blacks, other American-born Muslims and those of Middle Eastern and South Asian descent.
Convention center officials said the event has a potential $16 million impact on Philadelphia's hospitality industry.
Imam Asim Abdur Rashid of the Philadelphia Masjid, the council of local Islamic leaders, said the city has been welcoming to Muslims in the past and he expects that to be the case this time, too. He said there were fewer anti-Muslim episodes here than in other locales after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
"What better way to tell people that American Muslims are not different? We are Americans," said Islamic Circle official Abraham Quadri. "We are going to celebrate in the heart of liberty. What better way of making a statement?"