The commercial would have declared "jihad" on competitors in the US auto market.

CAIRO — Flooded by angry mails, an Ohio car dealership has apologized for an ill-humored radio commercial that would have declared "jihad" on competitors in the US auto market and decided against putting it on air.

"I wish to offer my sincere apology to anyone who was offended. We do not wish to alienate anyone in our community - all of whom are potential customers," Dennis Mitsubishi owner Keith Dennis said in a statement send to the Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and posted on its website.

He admitted they were flooded by mails from people protesting the proposed commercial.

"The public reaction to this story has been significant. A large number of people have contacted us. Lots of them have seen the humor we were trying to convey, but far too many were clearly bothered by it."

Dennis described the radio car ad as "an attempt at humor that fell short."

Karen Armstrong, the prominent and prolific British writer on all three monotheistic religions, has criticized stereotyping the Arabic word "jihad" as merely meaning holy war.

Armstrong stressed that jihad is "a cherished spiritual value that, for most Muslims, has no connection with violence."

Pope Benedict XVI has provoked international criticism for questioning the Islamic concept of Jihad and quoting a Byzantine emperor who said that Islam had spread by the sword.

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The dealer's decision was welcomed by CAIR, the largest US Muslim civil liberties advocacy group in the country.

"We appreciate the dealership's constructive reaction to feedback about the proposed advertisements," said Adnan Mirza, director of CAIR-Ohio's Columbus office.

"We accept the apology from Mr. Dennis and hope that it and the decision not to air the spots will bring this incident to a close."

CAIR, which strives to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue and protect civil liberties, had warned that the commercial would have only fueled Islamophobia in the country.

In its annual report on the status of US Muslims, CAIR said earlier this month that discrimination and hate crimes against Muslims in the US have surged by almost 30 percent in 2005.

Many conservative radio and television shows have been produced in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, warning Americans of "militant Islamism," "radical Islamism."

Prompt action by US Muslim leaders have forced radio hosts critical of Islam to offer on-air apologies and backtrack on their racist remarks.

In 2005, Fox television network decided to remove some stereotypical aspects about American Muslims from its action drama “24” thanks to immediate action from community leaders.