The following article covering the WhyIslam DC Billboard on I-95 in Baltimore MD was featured on the front page of the Muslim Link:

Baltimore I-95 Drivers Asked: Why Islam?

By Rashad Mulla
Muslim Link Staff Writer

Interstate 95 has a new billboard near Baltimore, and it’s causing quite a stir.

The DC area branch of WhyIslam, the Da’wah (teaching Islam) wing of the Islamic Circle of North America, paid for a month-long billboard advertisement from May 20-June 20.

The cost of the billboard between exits 52 and 53 is $9,500 for one month, according to WhyIslam volunteer Yusuf Khan. The money was raised during an April 5 fundraising dinner at the Islamic Society of Baltimore.

In its 10 years, WhyIslam, has placed over 40 billboard advertisements in the country, run radio commercials, and set up booths at public fairs and locations. The organization also runs an Islamic hotline (1-877-WHY-ISLAM), which is on display on the billboards.

Although it is the first of its kind in the DC area, the billboard near Baltimore follows similar efforts in Atlanta, Chicago and Dallas.

The immediate response to the Baltimore billboard has been plentiful and colorful.

“There has been a lot of feedback and also a lot of anger,” Khan said. “People have called [the hotline] and asked ‘Why in our area?’” Jawad Ahmed, the director of the hotline, based in New Jersey, said the volume of calls has increased significantly since the billboard went up on May 20. On some days, the WhyIslam hotline staff answer more than 20 calls. Ahmed said the hotline receives over seven calls every day.

“Some Muslims have called,” Ahmed said. “Non-Muslims have called for facts and free Qurans and brochures (WhyIslam mails free literature).”

Many of the calls have not been pleasant, Ahmed said.

Ahmed and WhyIslam hotline staff members deal with numerous prank callers and others who call to yell curse words and hang up. While Ahmed has his share of miraculous educational moments, the staff is not required to listen patiently to every negative caller. “Everything is not always merry,” Ahmed said. “I usually tell them to hang up or transfer the call to me.”

The negative feedback is expected, but the organization must continue to focus on taking positive steps, said Syed Ameen, a longtime Maryland community presence and WhyIslam volunteer.

“The group is very dedicated,” Ameen said. “The management of the group may be small, but we have many volunteers. We set up booths, distribute [copies of the] Quran, literature and contacts for new Muslims.”

Ahmed, too, doesn’t dwell on the recent surge of phone calls.

“[Negative feedback] has subsided tremendously,” Ahmed said. “Especially since 9/11.”

The hotline received over 1000 callers in its most active month. Phone calls sometimes end with callers converting to Islam or taking part in long, serious discussions. Ahmed’s most publicized phone call consisted of him taking a barrage of negative comments from a caller. After this tirade, the caller was shocked to find Ahmed still on the line. According to an article by WhyIslam volunteers Salman Sheikh and Kashif Munir (TML, April 11, Fundraiser to Help Raise Islam Billboard on Baltimore Highway), Ahmed and the caller talked for 30 more minutes.

“The person apologized,” Ahmed said. “And we had a positive conversation.”