Church defends Muslim call ban at event

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) - Leaders of a northern Michigan church are defending their decision to ban a Muslim call to worship that was part of the planned program for a Veterans Day concert by public high school and community college vocal groups.

The Rev. David Walls of Traverse City's First Congregational Church says leaders feared it might offend military personnel or their families to hear "a prayer in Arabic, addressed to Allah."

The ban led Northwestern Michigan College to withdraw sponsorship of the Nov. 11 performance, part of the church's annual Mel Larimer Concert Series.

Sixteen-year-old Alya Nadji is Muslim and a member of the Traverse City West High School Chorale. She tells the Traverse City Record-Eagle she ran from the room crying when she learned the call to prayer was being cut.