LONGWOOD, Fla. — An Islamic group in Longwood is looking to educate the public about the Muslim community by erecting 10 billboards in Central Florida.
The American Muslim Community Centers of Longwood put up one of those billboards—which features a 24-hour hotline that members of the public can call to learn about Muslim-Americans—alongside I-4 last year.
"There's a thriving Muslim community here and we would like others to know about who we are," said Atif Fareed, a member of the AMCC.
Fareed said the group plans to place 10 new billboards in Central Florida, with some in Seminole and Volusia counties. He said these plans predate the Paris terrorist attacks that occurred earlier this November.
"What happens internationally or what happens in isolated criminal activity should not reflect upon us," said Fareed.
Fareed said an Orlando mosque has received hateful emails following the Paris terrorist attacks.