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Muslim Leader Urges All To Visit Newark Mosque, Says It's 'As American As Apple Pie'

NEWARK, NJ (CBSNewYork) - After a New Jersey mosque used its NYPD surveillance controversy to recruit new members through a newspaper ad, Imam Mustafa El-Amin of Masjid Ibrahim in Newark says that all are welcome for Friday's prayer service.

"Our doors are open," El-Amin told WCBS 880's Levon Putney, "and we have nothing to hide."

WCBS 880's Levon Putney reports

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El-Amin says that his mosque is as American as apple pie, and says that he has no problem with the NYPD or any police surveillance, especially post-September 11th.

"But when you're doing it in a secret way," El-Amin explained, "then it suggests a lack of trust."

So in an effort to gain people's trust, the mosque's leader put out an ad in the Star-Ledger, inviting folks to read the Quran and come by and visit the mosque.

"We are about serving the community, and we are people of faith as American citizens," he concluded.

El-Amin says that his people not only don't support terrorists, but "condemn terrorism 100 percent."

Do you respect Imam Mustafa El-Amin's stance? Please share your comments below...

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