14 people have accepted Islam while a bus - with a simple sign: "ISLAM" Got Questions? Get Answers! are going around Chicago to inform about Islam.

American Muslims launch a campaign to inform people about Islam via a bus, - with a simple sign: "ISLAM" Got Questions? Get Answers!

The bus, going around Chicago, aims at reconstruct image of Islam in conscious of people while the Islamaphobia and prejudice against Islam are uprising. 14 people have accepted Islam in this project.

GainPeace, an outreach project of Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), was initiated to share Islam with non-Muslim and to clarify many misconceptions they may hold due to biased reporting in the Media.

Campaigners say the aim of the bus ad campaign was to find a novel way to steer people toward information on Islam. "The topic [of the ad] is Islam: the way of life with different prophets' names," Sabeel Ahmed, Director of GainPeace says. "The bottom and top message are supposed to generate more interest in people."

The Islam ad campaign does not run in Chicago alone. ICNA, a New York-based grassroot organization that has 22 chapters across the US, has organized similar campaigns in Seattle and New York, Islam newsroom said.

The group spent $30,900 to place signs on 25 public buses serving across Chicago. The ads direct people to a toll-free hotline, 800 - 662 Islam (800) 662 - 47526, (the last number is not really necessary but it helps people to remember the phone number). A website established to help those who are seeking answers to questions about Islam and it is a very important part of the dawah project: www.GainPeace.com

This site said that "Each bus will be covered on their side and on the top panel with beautiful message of Islam, insha Allah. A toll free number, 1.800.662.ISLAM (4752), will be posted, along with website and email, for interested viewers to call and obtain more information. 

As the bus roams around the city of Chicago, making frequent stops, it will be proclaiming the message of Oneness of Allah, and inviting humanity to study the true faith of all the Prophets of Allah (peace be upon them)."

For example, Leslie C. Toole was thinking about becoming a Muslim for 10 years - but he needed something to "push him along". Well, he got his "push" from a bus in Chicago.

Mr. Toole says, "I never truly committed and when I saw that sign I knew that was the final sign to complete my move." He first saw the word "ISLAM" on a pamphlet ten years ago when a man handed him a pamphlet telling him he'll find enlightenment in it.

Mr. Toole, the new Muslim, believes that the simple yet stark ad which merely says "Got Questions? Get Answers" is a brilliant way to draw people's attention.

"I thought it was a neat idea…I had never seen that before."

Mr. Toole, who has chosen Ilyas as his new Muslim name, is very grateful to his mentor. "He's been very helpful. He's provided me with tons of books to move me forward."

GainPeace also provides the new Muslim with the Shahada package, which includes: A How to Pray DVD, a Help Yourself in Reading the Qur'an book, and brochures on various topics about Islam. It also offers online classes once a week for new Muslims, which Ilyas is looking forward to joining.

"I'll be able to learn everything from Muslims' lifestyle to prayer practices and the Arabic language." Ilyas says that the more he knows about his new religion, the more confident he feels that he has made the right decision. "It's definitely perfect for me. "It's hard to explain because when you know something is right, it's just a deep-rooted feeling inside of you that you found home."

World Bulletin / News Desk