In a letter to President Bush, Board chairman of the Council on American-Islamic Relations Parvez Ahmed said American Muslims have consistently condemned all acts of terrorism, whether carried out by individuals, groups or states. "We repudiate anyone who plans or carries out a terrorist act.

The American Muslim community remains dedicated to the protection of our nation's security," he said. "Unfortunately, your statement this morning that America 'is at war with Islamic fascists' contributes to a rising level of hostility to Islam and the American-Muslim community.

On Friday, Gallup released a poll indicating that four out of ten Americans feel 'prejudice' toward Muslims. "You have on many occasions said Islam is a 'religion of peace.' Today you equated the religion of peace with the ugliness of fascism," he lamented. "The use of ill-defined hot button terms such as 'Islamic fascists,' 'militant jihadism,' 'Islamic radicalism,' or 'totalitarian Islamic empire,' harms our nation's image and interests worldwide, particularly in the Islamic world.

It feeds the perception that the war on terror is actually a war on Islam," Ahmed said. The letter was released to the press by CAIR on Thursday evening. American Muslims, Ahmed said, stand ready to serve as a bridge of understanding to the Islamic world.

"We can best fulfill that role by offering advice that can help prevent misperceptions and misunderstandings between different nations and cultures," it added. CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 32 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada [Images].

"Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, it condemned terrorism in all its forms and urgent American to avoid backlash against Muslim Americans.

"The American Muslim community has always been dedicated to the protection of our national security. It is also important that our fellow Americans understand that Muslims are law-abiding citizens who should not be targeted or singled out because of their faith or national origin," CAIR said. It also advised local Muslim communities to boost security measures at mosques and other Islamic institutions.