Gun store stops selling Muslim target

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ROYAL OAK, Mich., Feb. 8 (UPI) -- A Muslim civil rights group said the owner of a Michigan gun shop has agreed to halt sales of a target picturing a skeleton in Muslim garb with an AK-47.

Dawud Walid, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Michigan, said he had a meeting Thursday with Ray Jihad, owner of Target Sports in Royal Oak, and he agreed to stop selling the target, The Detroit News reported Friday.

"He was extremely friendly and understanding," Walid said. "We welcome the decision of Target Sports to discontinue selling such targets, which could have the effect of perpetuating misconceptions that Muslims, in particular those wearing certain attire, are to be viewed as a threat that should be eliminated."

Walid said he received a complaint last week about the target, which depicted a skeleton with a long beard, a turban and a robe, holding an AK-47.

The target was manufactured by Thompson Target of Ohio, which also offers "Wall Street Zombie" and "Redneck Zombie" targets. The company owner declined to comment, The Detroit News said.

The newspaper said it was unable to reach Jihad for a comment.