Muslims Shakedown Long John Silver's

Chalk up another crappy fast food franchise I won't be eating at again. And where else? Minnesota. From PR-USA.net

The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today welcomed an apology from a Long John Silver's restaurant in that state that distributed religious literature in children's meals.

In November, a Muslim family visited the Long John Silver's at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., and ordered a children's meal for their three-year-old son. The Muslim parents noticed that the toy that came with the meal was a small notepad with the phrase "Build with Jesus" written at the top along with a quote from the Bible.

Although Muslims respect the Bible and believe in Jesus as a prophet of Islam, the family preferred a non-religious toy in the children's meal. After requesting an alternative toy for their child, the family was shown variations of the notepad, each containing a different verse from the Bible.

Following intervention by CAIR-MN, the restaurant investigated the matter and found that the "families' request was not handled in a manner consistent with company policy."

In a letter to CAIR-MN, the Long John Silver's franchisee owner Steve Oborn wrote: "In an attempt to support and respect a multitude of diverse needs and preferences, it is our policy to have an optional toy(s) available per request. Recognizing the needs of younger children, those with allergies, or disabilities, varying religious affiliation, or their parents that prefer treats containing no sugar, are amongst those sensitivities we hope to always accommodate and respectively respond to... Please extend our sincere apologies to this family."

In addition to a written apology, the company will send the family a gift certificate to any Yum! Brands location and a replacement, non-religious toy for their 3-year-old child.