Controversial Imam speaks at UNC amidst protest
He is leading the effort to build a cultural center and mosque near the World Trade Center site in New York.
An audience of more than 500 warmly welcomed the Imam in Hill Hall and dozens waited in an overflow area.
"It's not about being labeled, it's about your personal relationship with the creator," Rauf told the crowd.
And as he began his lecture, about 100 protestors with the Christian Action Network silently gathered outside the building to hold candles representing 9/11 victims.
"We're here to tell our side of the story," 9/11 survivor Tim Brown said. "We don't agree with what he's doing."
Also a retired New York City firefighter, Brown says he lost 93 colleagues that day and like so many others, is deeply offended with Rauf's efforts to build a mosque and cultural center near ground zero.
"We find that it's extremely insensitive to the families and to those of us who lost so much on that day," Brown said.
The protestors clashed with others who support the Imam.
Rauf spoke about his international upbringing and naturalized U.S. citizenship. He believes Muslims share the same values as Americans.
"Our founding fathers established a country based upon the concept of religious freedom which is something that's fundamental," Rauf said. "Islam fundamentally demands that."
That message connected with some who traveled a good distance to listen.
"I'm recently married to an Egyptian Muslim and I'm Christian, so a lot of what he was to say resonates with me," said Lucretia King, attendee from Greenville, N.C.
Imam Faul received $20,000 for his appearance at UNC, but the school says the fee came from private donations. Faul will speak at Duke University Thursday.