Taqqiya…

DETROIT (AP) — The cleric who became the public face of efforts to build an Islamic center near ground zero in New York began a national speaking tour Saturday night by urging Muslims to help “depoliticize” their faith and play a role in shaping relationships with America.

Feisal Abdul Rauf began his tour to inspire “interfaith understanding” in Detroit, saying Islam should be seen as an American religion “not an alien religion.”

The Detroit area is home to the largest Muslim population in North America.

The imam told about 400 people at a diversity forum sponsored by the Council of Islamic Organizations of Michigan and the Islamic Society of North America that the backlash against Islam that arose from the New York City mosque plan was “triggered by a mix of race, religion and politics in America.”

“Our role now is to depoliticize our faith,” he said, adding that Islam must not be used as a wedge between Democrats and Republicans or political ideals anywhere in the world.

“What we do here in America, brothers and sisters, is watched by the world,” Rauf said. “We have to find ways to make sure who we are and what we represent becomes a recipe for healing.”