April 17, 2003
Source: Houston Chronicle
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/1871484
On April 17, 2003 the Houston Chronicle reported that "to show local police officers that not all Muslims are like Osama bin Laden or Saddam Hussein... organizers of a Houston Police Department cultural awareness program called in Hakeem Olajuwon... In brief remarks to about 40 officers Wednesday, the former Houston Rockets star said most Muslims are peaceful, law-abiding people who need not be feared... Muslim leaders welcome the support of the NBA star center, particularly in these times when, they say, nightly television shows images that equate Islam with terror and violence."