Franklin Graham Disinvited From Pentagon Prayer Day For Calling Islam Evil, Offensive - ANNE FLAHERTY

WASHINGTON — Evangelist Franklin Graham's invitation to speak at a Pentagon prayer service has been rescinded because his comments about Islam were inappropriate, the Army said Thursday.

Graham, the son of famed evangelist Billy Graham, in 2001 described Islam as evil. More recently, he has said he finds Islam offensive and wants Muslims to know that Jesus Christ died for their sins.

Nihad Awad, national executive director of Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Graham's invitation would have sent "entirely the wrong message" at a time when troops are stationed in Muslim nations.

"Promoting one's own religious beliefs is something to be defended and encouraged, but other faiths should not be attacked or misrepresented in the process," Awad said.

Mikey Weinstein of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation said Graham shouldn't have been invited in the first place.

Franklin Graham Disinvited From Pentagon Prayer Day For Calling Islam Evil, Offensive