DUBAI (AlArabiya.net)
A veteran U.S. radio talk show host has likened Muslims who fast during Ramadan to cockroaches, a U.S. media watchdog said Wednesday.
"…Muslims don't eat during the day during Ramadan. They fast during the day and eat at night. Sort of like cockroaches," talk show radio host Neal Boortz said on his hit show of the same name.
Boortz made the comment on the August 14 broadcast of his nationally syndicated radio show -- heard by almost four million listeners per week -- while discussing the alleged "Islamization of Western Europe," the Media Matters for America watchdog reported.
Boortz was discussing reports that a government-run hospital in London had instructed employees to eat away from their desks during Ramadan so as not to offend their fasting Muslim colleagues.
"So, next month...you are not permitted to have lunch at your desk. Why not? Because it's Ramadan, and Muslims in your workplace might be offended if they see you eating at your desk," the 62-year-old broadcaster said.
In the same show, Boortz also slammed moves by U.S. schools and government offices to provide footbaths and prayer rooms for Muslims.
Boortz is the radio talk show host of the nationally syndicated 'Neil Boortz Show' based in Atlanta, Georgia.
In the past, Boortz has also taken aim at politicians, the homeless, the obese and welfare recipients, calling himself an "equal opportunity" offender.
His self-given nicknames include: "The Talkmaster", "Mighty Whitey", "Mouth of the South", and the "High Priest of the Church of the Painful Truth".
Although Boortz has been criticized by media watch groups, the Georgia Association of Broadcasters awarded Boortz and his radio show the honors of "Best Radio On-Air Personality" and "Best Radio Program, Any Type" in 2007, Media Matters reported.
The watchdog also said Boortz -- whose broadcasting career spans three decades -- is a nominee for the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame 2007 Career Achievement Award.
Boortz -- who is also a lawyer and best-selling author -- lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his second wife and daughter. |
