'Muslims love Jesus', 'Mary wore hijab': billboards 'explaining' Islam crop up in many US cities

Large billboards proclaiming similarities between the religions of Islam and Christianity have been erected in several places across the United States of America.

One such banner in Texas' Houston has the message "Muslims love Jesus" and "his message of one God and his prophethood". Another billboard depicts Jesus' mother Mary wearing a hijab. It has the caption, "Blessed Mary wore the hijab. Will you respect it?"

One shows a picture of the Kaaba, a building in Saudi Arabia that Muslims consider the holiest site in Islam, with the message, "Built by Abraham, dedicated to worship one God, annual pilgrimage by millions of Muslims."

The billboards are reportedly being put up by a non-profit organisation called GainPeace, which says that its main goal is spreading awareness about Islam, and clarifying any doubts or misconceptions they may hold. It chose to put billboards in cities where the organisation has a strong presence and a significant Muslim population.

According to Pew Research, the Muslim population in the US has grown in the two decades since September 11, 2001, when the country witnessed a spike in racist crimes in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

(With agency inputs)

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