A Pompano Beach clergyman was asked to resign after making anti-Islamic remarks, The Sun Sentinel reported.
The Rev. O'Neal Dozier, a controversial member of the Broward Judicial Nominating Committee, was asked by Governor Jeb Bush's office to step down after he described Islam as “a cult” on a radio show.
''Following the comments the reverend made, our general counsel's office reached out to the reverend and expressed the governor's concerns and subsequently accepted the reverend's resignation,'' Kristy Campbell, Bush's deputy press secretary, said Monday after Dozier submitted his resignation.
Dozier, 57, is a prominent black Republican and the pastor of the Worldwide Christian Center in Pompano Beach. He is leading a protest over a mosque's plans to move to the city's black community.
In a news release late last month, Dozier called Islam “a cult” and said that the mosque’s plans make residents in the predominantly "black Christian neighborhood" feeling less safe and secure.
"Their general welfare is being jeopardized by knowing that Muslims are invading their neighborhood," he said, claiming that residents worry that Muslims will try to convert young black people to Islam.
Days after the offensive comments sparked outrage among Muslims, Dozier said that he won’t apologize. "I don't see the crime I committed,'' he said.
Altaf Ali, executive director of the Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said he wants to meet Dozier to help him understand Islam.
"I feel very sorry for him… I'm disappointed he maintains this position.” Ali said.
AlJazeera
The Rev. O'Neal Dozier, a controversial member of the Broward Judicial Nominating Committee, was asked by Governor Jeb Bush's office to step down after he described Islam as “a cult” on a radio show.
''Following the comments the reverend made, our general counsel's office reached out to the reverend and expressed the governor's concerns and subsequently accepted the reverend's resignation,'' Kristy Campbell, Bush's deputy press secretary, said Monday after Dozier submitted his resignation.
Dozier, 57, is a prominent black Republican and the pastor of the Worldwide Christian Center in Pompano Beach. He is leading a protest over a mosque's plans to move to the city's black community.
In a news release late last month, Dozier called Islam “a cult” and said that the mosque’s plans make residents in the predominantly "black Christian neighborhood" feeling less safe and secure.
"Their general welfare is being jeopardized by knowing that Muslims are invading their neighborhood," he said, claiming that residents worry that Muslims will try to convert young black people to Islam.
Days after the offensive comments sparked outrage among Muslims, Dozier said that he won’t apologize. "I don't see the crime I committed,'' he said.
Altaf Ali, executive director of the Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said he wants to meet Dozier to help him understand Islam.
"I feel very sorry for him… I'm disappointed he maintains this position.” Ali said.
AlJazeera
