WASHINGTON (AP) _ In a sign of growing acceptance of U.S. Muslims, one of the most prominent religious leaders in the country, evangelical pastor Rick Warren, will speak at the Islamic Society of North America’s annual convention in Washington this weekend.
In recent years, the society has denounced terrorism and has endorsed a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians. The organization also elected its first female president, Ingrid Mattson, who took part in the National Cathedral service for President Barack Obama the day after his inaugural.
The Islamic Society of North America isn’t the first American Muslim group that Warren has addressed. Last December, he spoke at a meeting of the Muslim Public Affairs Council.
Several prominent Jewish leaders also will take part in this weekend’s convention, and singer Yusuf Islam — who was known as Cat Stevens before his conversion — is scheduled to appear.