OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Several mosques in Central Florida are getting ready to host events supporting Syrian refugees.
Channel 9's Field Sutton found out the Muslim scholar who will be speaking at one of the events has a history of making anti-gay and anti-Jewish remarks.
Leaders of the Islamic Society of Central Florida told Eyewitness News that they were unaware of Dr. Mohammed Al-Nabulsi’s history, but they also said they’re firmly committed to restricting him to the topic of rebuilding war-torn Syria.
Al-Nabulsi has said in videos posted online that "homosexuality leads to the destruction of the homosexual. That is why, brothers, homosexuality carries the death penalty."
"I'm a little concerned that the LGBT community is not a little bit more outraged,” said Randy Ross, former Orange County chair for Donald Trump's presidential campaign. "In my opinion, he's actually hiding hate under the cloak of religion."
Al-Nabulsi is speaking Saturday at the Albir Educational Center in Osceola County. Leaders at the center never returned Sutton’s phone calls. But at the Islamic Society, Imam Muhammed Musri offered a full explanation.
"We would not welcome any person or organization that will bash any group,” Musri said.
He said after the Pulse nightclub attack, he hopes the visiting scholar no longer feels the way he used to feel.
"If he does, then it gives us the opportunity to discuss and maybe challenge those views and maybe change minds or hearts,” Musri said.
Alan Kornman is going to the speech in Osceola County to see what happens.
"Just bringing someone preaching this message to Orlando is disrespectful,” Kornman said.
Cox Media Group
