BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A Muslim civil liberties group wants North Dakota House Republicans to apologize for cancelling a floor session prayer by a Muslim on Ash Wednesday, and having a Christian deliver the invocation instead.
Dr. Nadim Koleilat went on to deliver the invocation to the state Senate, without objection from that body.
Jaylani Hussein with the Council on American-Islamic Relations says Muslims in the state deserve an apology for what he called "religious bigotry and exclusion.''
GOP House majority leader Al Carlson says some lawmakers believed it was ''probably more appropriate to have a Christian'' lead the prayer on Ash Wednesday.
Carlson says Koleilat has been invited back to give an invocation next week.