In January, radio host Bill Handel was attacked by the Council on American-Islamic Relations for a comedy bit about this year’s Mecca stampede. At first, Handel and his station KFI seemed to be standing up to the radical Islamic front group: lgf: Handel Fires Back at CAIR.

Today they caved in: California Radio Station, Host Apologize to Muslims; Bill Handel Reprimanded for ‘Insensitive Remarks’ About Hajj Deaths. (Hat tip: Gigantor.)

ANAHEIM, Calif., Feb. 8 /U.S. Newswire/ — The Southern California office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) announced today that KFI-AM 640 radio and talk show host Bill Handel have apologized for mocking the deaths of Muslims on Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. Handel has also been reprimanded in writing by the station for his “insensitive remarks.”

CAIR-LA recently called for the apology and reprimand after being contacted by concerned Muslims who heard Handel’s January 12 broadcast, in which he made light of the more than 300 pilgrims who died in a stampede during this year’s Hajj.

In a letter to the Muslim community sent to CAIR-LA, Clear Channel Communications Regional Vice President Greg Ashlock wrote in part: (Clear Channel is KFI’s parent company.)

“We would like to offer a sincere apology to members of the Muslim Community for recent comments airing on our station related to the unfortunate deaths for those taking part in the Hajj. KFI AM 640 does not condone making light of the deaths of people engaged in religious observances...

“On this particular program, we crossed the line in reporting the Hajj incident in an insensitive manner. We have discussed the content and timing of this ‘bit’ extensively with Mr. Bill Handel and his crew and are confident that everyone now understands the gravity of the situation. Mr. Handel expresses his sincere apology for the insensitive remarks.”