personalized plate sparks discussion of what is and is not appropriate

News 4 examined the criteria for granting or denial of personalized plates ("vanity plates") after receiving an email from a viewer.

The viewer had seen a vanity plate on a car belonging to a St. Louis County couple saying "Jihad 1" and thought the dish was inadequate, since some people associate the word with terrorism.

News 4 discovered the plate belongs to a Muslim family.

Both mother and father talks to News 4 Investigative Reporter Lauren Trager off camera.

He explained that Jihad is the name of your child and therefore apply to the plate. He also explained that Jihad has spiritual significance for Muslims has nothing to do with violence or terrorism.

News 4 led Faizan Syed issue, the executive director of the St. Louis chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Syed said "Jihad is very common and does not mean holy war. It means someone who is struggling, so when the name of your child Jihad, which means someone who will fight to be better."

Still, Syed said he understands how the word can be seen as offensive.

"He has the ability to confuse wing people," he said, "and because the average American thinks of Jihad as a certain thing, it is probably better for this guy not use it."

News 4 made several requests for an interview on camera with a representative of the Department of Motor Vehicles Missouri State on reasons to allow the plate jihad, but no one was available to talk.

News 4 also found that in 2009 the State of Missouri rejected a dish very similar, "J1HAD."

The State has offered no explanation of why "J1HAD" was rejected as he left the "jihad".

News 4 checked with Illinois and found that "Jihad" is prohibited for use in plates there.

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