Washington, D.C. – This week, travel website Kayak.com appeared to follow the poor example set by home improvement retailer Lowe’s, when it, too, decided to pull future advertising from the TLC program “All-American Muslim.” Interfaith Alliance President Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy released the following statement today criticizing the company for its “hypocritical behavior”:
I was surprised last week when I saw Lowe’s pull its ads from TLC’s “All-AmericanMuslim” and even more surprised to hear today that Kayak.com plans to cease running its ads as well.
Shame on Kayak for its hypocritical behavior. Though Kayak.com said its decision was unrelated to the controversy, its actions do not reflect the values it claims to espouse. Any time that words and actions conflict, I take more seriously the actions.
Advertisers certainly have the right to decide where they run their ads, but it is disappointing to see a company feed into the fear mongering facing the American Muslim community. We are a pluralistic society that values freedom of speech and freedom of religion. It is sad to see one used to diminish the other.