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'F*** Islam' protester now thinks the religion is 'beautiful' after he was invited into a Mosque and 'took a second to listen'
Jason Leger from Phoenix, Arizona, wore a t-shirt with 'F*** Islam' written across the front as armed activists created an ugly scene outside a mosque on Friday.
But when he was invited inside the Islamic Community Center, he admitted it was a 'beautiful thing' after talking to worshipers and watching them in prayer.
He now insists he would never offend them again.
Change of heart: Jason Leger (pictured left with event organizer and right) from Phoenix, Arizona, who wore a t-shirt with 'F*** Islam' written across the front, now says the religion is a 'beautiful thing'
He told FOX 10: 'Out of respect for the Islamic people, knowing what I know now, because I have talked to them and spoke to them, no I would not do that again, just because I don't want to offend or hurt those people.
'When I took a second to actually sit down and listen to them, and actually enter their mosque, and go in and watch some of their prayers, it is a beautiful thing, and they answered some of the questions that I had.
He added: 'We don't have to like everything that is free speech in this world, but we do have to let it happen, we have to let people wear what they want, say what they want.'
Leger and his uncle Paul Griffith, who also attended the rally, have now been invited back to the mosque.
'I feel that me and a few people like my uncle Paul, and the Muslim people, taking the time to talk to each other, feel that we changed the thoughts of some people, and they changed the thoughts of me. Paul specifically said he would not wear that shirt again.
The controversial event on Friday led to angry clashes between protesters and counter-protesters holding a Love Rally across the street, these individuals stood their ground despite threats from Islamic extremists.
Dangerous situation: There were ugly scenes outside the mosque, with many turning up heavily armed
Face-to-face: There were angry clashes between protesters and counter-protesters holding a Love Rally across the street
ISIS called for lone wolf attacks on the man who had planned the Draw Muhammad contest.
Members of the terrorist group even took to social media and posted the home address of Jon Ritzheimer, the anti-Islam creator of the event that had close to 500 in attendance.
Since the violent gathering he claims he has gone into hiding following a number of death threats.
He tried to set up a GoFundMe page - trying to raise $10million to protect his family - but it was quickly taken down.
The event was a huge undertaking for law enforcement in the area, who had to respect the First Amendment rights of the attendees while also making sure things do not get out of hand.
Ritzheimer planned the event to happen during Friday prayer, a time that the Community Center of Phoenix would have been most crowded.
Anti-Muslim protester Jason Leger thinks Islam is beautiful after Mosque visit | Daily Mail Online
- Jason Leger joined activists for controversial event in Phoenix on Friday
- Was then invited in to watch the prayers, and had a change of heart
- Admitted in a subsequent interview the religion is a 'beautiful thing'
- 'Competition' on Friday led to angry clashes between protesters
- Many were armed, while there were reports ISIS were targeting the event
Jason Leger from Phoenix, Arizona, wore a t-shirt with 'F*** Islam' written across the front as armed activists created an ugly scene outside a mosque on Friday.
But when he was invited inside the Islamic Community Center, he admitted it was a 'beautiful thing' after talking to worshipers and watching them in prayer.
He now insists he would never offend them again.
Change of heart: Jason Leger (pictured left with event organizer and right) from Phoenix, Arizona, who wore a t-shirt with 'F*** Islam' written across the front, now says the religion is a 'beautiful thing'
He told FOX 10: 'Out of respect for the Islamic people, knowing what I know now, because I have talked to them and spoke to them, no I would not do that again, just because I don't want to offend or hurt those people.
'When I took a second to actually sit down and listen to them, and actually enter their mosque, and go in and watch some of their prayers, it is a beautiful thing, and they answered some of the questions that I had.
He added: 'We don't have to like everything that is free speech in this world, but we do have to let it happen, we have to let people wear what they want, say what they want.'
Leger and his uncle Paul Griffith, who also attended the rally, have now been invited back to the mosque.
'I feel that me and a few people like my uncle Paul, and the Muslim people, taking the time to talk to each other, feel that we changed the thoughts of some people, and they changed the thoughts of me. Paul specifically said he would not wear that shirt again.
The controversial event on Friday led to angry clashes between protesters and counter-protesters holding a Love Rally across the street, these individuals stood their ground despite threats from Islamic extremists.
Dangerous situation: There were ugly scenes outside the mosque, with many turning up heavily armed
Face-to-face: There were angry clashes between protesters and counter-protesters holding a Love Rally across the street
ISIS called for lone wolf attacks on the man who had planned the Draw Muhammad contest.
Members of the terrorist group even took to social media and posted the home address of Jon Ritzheimer, the anti-Islam creator of the event that had close to 500 in attendance.
Since the violent gathering he claims he has gone into hiding following a number of death threats.
He tried to set up a GoFundMe page - trying to raise $10million to protect his family - but it was quickly taken down.
The event was a huge undertaking for law enforcement in the area, who had to respect the First Amendment rights of the attendees while also making sure things do not get out of hand.
Ritzheimer planned the event to happen during Friday prayer, a time that the Community Center of Phoenix would have been most crowded.
Anti-Muslim protester Jason Leger thinks Islam is beautiful after Mosque visit | Daily Mail Online
