A new Islamic radio show is being broadcast in English from Chicago, and the Chicago Tribune says their message is one of moderation: Islamic talk finds a spot on radio dial. (Hat tip: Nannette.)

Such was the first program of “Radio Islam,” which debuted Friday night to a limited audience on a small radio station, WCEV-AM 1450. As America’s first daily English-language program about Islam, the show may never earn the ratings of shock-jock Howard Stern. But over time, “Radio Islam” hopes to raise serious issues—as well as make listeners laugh.

In cities such as Detroit, with a large Arab and Muslim population, private stations for years have aired Muslim or Arab-sponsored programs in Arabic. But “Radio Islam,” broadcast in English on a commercial station, stands apart for being accessible to a wider audience.

“It is in English and this is what makes it the first,” said Osama Siblani, publisher and founder of the Detroit-based newspaper Arab American News.

Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid, executive producer of “Radio Islam,” said that the goal is to tell non-Muslim listeners things they often don’t believe or want to hear: Islam does not condone terrorism; Islam is not at war with the West; and your Muslim neighbor is your friend.

“Islam and Muslims are controversial topics. Everyone else is talking about them, and it is about time we speak for ourselves,” Mujahid said. “We are not a fighting type of talk show. It will be a civilized conversation among neighbors, who may not agree.”

Well, now! Who could possibly find anything suspicious in this mission statement? OK, the producer’s name means “holy warrior,” but that’s just my judgmental side coming out again, I’m sure.

So who’s behind “Radio Islam,” anyway?

Mujahid, the executive producer, is president of SoundVision, a Bridgeview-based company that produces videos and other programs for teaching the Koran and Arabic. He said he decided to create a Muslim radio program several months ago and began searching for a commercial station that would put “Radio Islam” on the air.

The program director for WCEV, Lucyna Migala, whose father, Joseph, founded the station, said the show was a perfect fit. The station for many years has aired brokered programming in Polish, Arabic, Bosnian and a host of other foreign languages, including Gaelic.

“We tend to be the ethnic public radio station,” she said.

For now, SoundVision is providing the funds for “Radio Islam.” But Mujahid predicts that advertisers will buy air time once the program becomes known and builds an audience. Mujahid is negotiating with commercial stations in five other cities to get the program on the air, he said.

SoundVision.

Here are some of LGF’s posts about SoundVision, who first came to our attention in August 2002:

Peaceful Islamic Youth Watch
Support for ClearGuidance
US Muslim Teens Celebrate Murder
SoundVision Kidz Warn Each Other
Jihadis Get Their Ducks in a Row

And it’s not only LGF who covered the SoundVision jihad farm; Daniel Pipes wrote a piece for his web site: SoundVision.com Visitors Applaud Jerusalem Suicide Bombing.

Of course, the Chicago Tribune mentions none of this in their story.