The Muslim Observer

Orlando, FL: (September 30, 1999)- American Muslims for Jerusalem today conducted a review of the final form of the Israeli exhibit at Walt Disney World's Millennium Village. Following the review, AMJ executive director Khalid Turaani reiterated his condemnation of Israel for politicizing its exhibit. "The average person will leave this exhibit with the impression that Jerusalem is the undivided capital of Israel," said Turaani. "The Israeli designed it to further their own political agenda, not to educate Disney's guests."

Of greatest concern to Muslims is a video showing the Dome of the Rock, one of the holiest mosques in the Islamic world, fading away to be replaced by the Star of David. Many Jewish extremists want to see the Dome of the Rock destroyed and replaced by a Jewish Temple. "This is an outrageous refusal to respect Islam's heritage in Jerusalem," says Turaani. "Here we see a concrete example of how the Israeli Foreign Ministry evisions Jerusalem- a place without the Dome of the Rock."

The exhibit also erroneously portrays Islamic beliefs. One section of the exhibit explains that Muslims believe that the rock under the famous Dome of the Rock is the location where Abraham was to have sacrificed his son Ismail (Ishmael). Islamic tradition maintains that this event took place near Mecca in modern day Saudi Arabia. "One can see that Islamic scholars had no input. I do not believe it is appropriate to portray faith traditions without consulting members of that faith," says Turaani.

On Friday, October 30, American Muslims will distribute informational leaflets to visitors to Walt Disney World's Millennium Village. The leaflets will serve to counter the misleading "Jerusalem is Israel's undivided capital" impression Israel's exhibit is designed to give visitors.

AMJ is sponsored by the following organizations: American Muslim Alliance (AMA), American Muslim Council (AMC), Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Muslim American Society (Ministry of Imam WD Muhammad), Muslim Public Affairs Committee (MPAC).