Illinois hotel backs out of hosting Muslim group

By SOPHIA TAREEN
Associated Press Writer
July 11, 2010

CHICAGO — A controversial Muslim group canceled its annual U.S. conference planned for Sunday after a suburban Chicago hotel backed out of hosting the event, organizers said.

American members of Hizb ut-Tahrir, which advocates establishing a worldwide Islamic state, had planned a conference at the Chicago Marriott Oak Brook. But conference organizer Ayman Hamed said the suburban hotel sent a cancellation notice and refund without explanation about two weeks ago.

That led organizers to cancel the daylong event, which has drawn protesters in the past. the rest