CTV NEWS - PM October 20, 2006 Lisa Laflamme LISA LAFLAMME: A controversial Evangelist with a famous name is being closely monitored in Winnipeg tonight to hear what he might have to say about religion, but not his own. Franklin Graham, the son of the famous Evangelist Billy Graham, has said in the past he considers Islam evil and wicked. Now he's headlining a three-day religious festival. As CTV's Jill Macyshon reports, his very presence has provoked a multi-faith reaction. JILL MACYSHON (Reporter): It's a loud, free religious festival. Imported from the US, touted as a concert to promote unity, spiritual renewal, and love for all mankind. UNIDENTIFIED MAN: This commandment is the greatest gift we ever got. MACYSHON: Then why, some ask, is one of America's most controversial Christians, Franklin Graham, the headliner? WILL BRAUN (Christian Issues Writer): I feel uneasy about Franklin Graham coming to Winnipeg and bringing what he stands for. It seems like a gospel of aggression. MACYSHON: This from a Mennonite uneasy about Graham's very public support for George Bush's war on terror and the very public comments that followed. "Let's use the weapons we have," he said in 2001. "The weapons of mass destruction, if need be, and destroy the enemy. We're not attacking Islam, but Islam has attacked us. I believe it is a very evil and wicked religion." FRANKLIN GRAHAM (Evangelist): There is a lot of evil in the world today and I'm not saying that the Muslims have a hold on that, there are many things that were done in the name of Christianity, but Jesus did not say go out and kill your enemy. MACYSHON: Graham's Winnipeg concert, the only Canadian stop, Islamic groups wonder why he was allowed in when only four months ago this radical Muslim cleric was denied entry. SARAH ELGAZZAR (Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations): It seems like if you're a Muslim basher the door is wide open and otherwise, you know, you can stay on the other side. MACYSHON: In response, this group, representing all faiths, is asking Graham to pray for civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq and apologize to Muslims. But that is unlikely. Graham has never apologized for making those comments. However, it's also doubtful he'll repeat them on Canadian soil where he could be charged with a hate crime. Jill Macyshon, CTV News, Winnipeg.