Indiana Muslims outraged at 'Perfect Man' billboard that insults Islamic prophet

Muslim residents of Indianapolis, Indiana have expressed their outrage at a billboard that seem to refer to the Islamic prophet Muhammad as a "rapist" who married a six-year-old and beheaded 600 Jews in one day.

The billboard, which can be seen on the Interstate 465 near Washington Street exit, has a headline of "The Perfect Man" and describes the man as a "slave owner & dealer," who "tortured & killed unbelievers" and had "13 wives, 11 at one time."

Although the billboard does not specifically mention Muhammad or Islam, Islamic leaders in Indianapolis are calling out those who are responsible for display, asking them to shed their anonymity and explain their motivations.

"It is a horrible billboard. I'm outraged by it, but saddened at the same time ... and I would like to know who is behind it," said Rima Shahid, executive director of the Muslim Alliance of Indiana, according to USA Today.

"It seems very cowardly to me. If you have some kind of stance, you should want to stand up next to your statement. I didn't think there was any room for hate in our city. This billboard tells me otherwise," she added.

U.S. Rep. Andre Carson (D-Indianapolis) described the message as "unacceptable, disappointing, and...un-American," and believes that the author of the billboard took Islamic texts and history out of context.

WTHR reported that the man who owns the billboard, Don Woodsmall, agreed to put up the display after other national companies turned down his clients, who wished to remain anonymous.

Woodsmall, a West Virginia businessman, said that he accepted the billboard after researching the information on the sign. He claimed that he had spoken to half a dozen Islamic scholars and reviewed some Islamic texts, and he was convinced that the information on the sign was "historically and factually true."

"It is interesting to note... the Muslim community knew exactly who it was referring to. The truth is a powerful weapon," Woodsmall said in a statement.

The businessman vowed that he would remove the display if the information on the billboards is proven to be false.

According to WTHR, the sign may not be properly permitted by the state of Indiana. Billboards along certain highways require a permit from the Indiana Department of Transportation, and the state has to be updated when there is a change in the ownership of a sign.

As a response to the controversial billboard, The Muslim Alliance of Indiana stated that it is planning to raise money for a sign that will spread the message of peace and kindness.