"This might be the first time many people get to hear exactly what the Quran says. Hopefully it'll lead to asking more questions about Islam and reaching out to Muslims in the area," said CAIR-Chicago Outreach Coordinator, Gerald Hankerson.

"We are at a crossroads. Today we see that an expression of Islamophobia was underlying all long," said Ahmed Rehab. "Americans realize that there is Islamophobia at home, and we hope they will address it as we attack a disease."

“There’s a problem with Islamophobia in this country and that’s a bad thing. But the good news is that it’s bubbling to the surface and we’re going to deal with it,” said Ahmed Rehab. “There needs to be a conversation that’s not being had. To be quite specific, where do we stand on American Muslims and their role in this country? Do they belong?”

“This pastor is not exactly an example of honesty and integrity. He’s a radical, an extremist, and my take on him is that every faith unfortunately has its bad apples.” –Ahmed Rehab

“This pastor is not exactly an example of honesty and integrity. He’s a radical, an extremist, and my take on him is that every faith unfortunately has its bad apples.” –Ahmed Rehab

In response to the proposed Qur’an burning on 9-11: “Our statement is in the form of the proactive work that we do especially now with 9-11 coming up which includes outreach, interfaith work, and dialogue. Essentially representing who we truly are, which is patriotic, freedom loving Muslims and Americans. That’s really our response to this sort-of hate mongering and campaign of misinformation.” –Ahmed Rehab

In response to the proposed Qur’an burning on 9-11: “Our statement is in the form of the proactive work that we do especially now with 9-11 coming up which includes outreach, interfaith work, and dialogue. Essentially representing who we truly are, which is patriotic, freedom loving Muslims and Americans. That’s really our response to this sort-of hate mongering and campaign of misinformation.” –Ahmed Rehab

Initial reaction to the cancellation was more relief than happiness. “God works in wonderful ways, and it’s gotten people to talk about Islamophobia,” said Ahmed Rehab, spokesperson with the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Mr. Rehab added: “The burning of the Koran is a serious offense…. You won’t find a Muslim burning a Bible or a Torah.” The spokesman said, “Frankly, there’s no good reason to burn anybody’s sacred text. If you don’t like it, then debate it, but don’t burn it.”

Initial reaction to the cancellation was more relief than happiness. “God works in wonderful ways, and it’s gotten people to talk about Islamophobia,” said Ahmed Rehab, spokesperson with the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Mr. Rehab added: “The burning of the Koran is a serious offense…. You won’t find a Muslim burning a Bible or a Torah.” The spokesman said, “Frankly, there’s no good reason to burn anybody’s sacred text. If you don’t like it, then debate it, but don’t burn it.”

"There are radicals in every community as we can see with this guy. He obviously doesn't represent the Christian base, and we have people who don't represent our faith but claim to as well," said Ahmed Rehab. "More and more, we are seeing extremists from both sides hijacking the discourse."

CAIR-Chicago's Ahmed Rehab talks to CBS news about "Burn A Koran Day." "When somebody does something that is this insane, the best response is to ignore them. Except the problem is that he is getting so much media attention that it is now a point of national debate," says Rehab.

CAIR-Chicago's Ahmed Rehab talks to CBS news about "Burn A Koran Day." "When somebody does something that is this insane, the best response is to ignore them. Except the problem is that he is getting so much media attention that it is now a point of national debate," says Rehab.

Ahmed Rehab debates guests on Fox Business' Money Rocks regarding the rise of Islamophobia in America as seen by recent attacks against several mosques. Rehab and conservative commentator Bo Dietel also debate the merits of building a mosque in lower Manhattan, near Ground Zero.

"The fear is that Muslims cannot take their place in American life without harassment or subjugation or being seen as being involved with some conspiracy theory," says Ahmed Rehab of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

"The fear is that Muslims cannot take their place in American life without harassment or subjugation or being seen as being involved with some conspiracy theory," says Ahmed Rehab of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Ahmed Rehab talks to Fox Business' Eric Bolling, along with other panelists, about a proposed mosque in Chicago whose zoning permit was rejected. Rehab compares and contrasts this mosque's situation to that of Park51, the proposed Islamic community center in lower Manhattan.

Mosque debates are taking place across the county, from New York City to Chicago to the surrounding suburbs. They are not all about zoning, but for the most part they are very heated. Ahmed Rehab says "islamophobia" is sweeping America. The leader of the Council on American-Islamic Relations describes the status of America's Relationship with its Muslim citizens.

Mosque debates are taking place across the county, from New York City to Chicago to the surrounding suburbs. They are not all about zoning, but for the most part they are very heated. Ahmed Rehab says "islamophobia" is sweeping America. The leader of the Council on American-Islamic Relations describes the status of America's Relationship with its Muslim citizens.

"Organizations that are not only Islamophobic but that incite violence, whether directly or indirectly, are a reality," said Ahmed Rehab.

"In the public sphere, leaders of the opposition groups to the Not-At-Ground-Zero-Muslim-Center can't seem to decide on an argument. They have thrown everything and the kitchen sink at us in the way of fabricated reasons," writes Ahmed Rehab.