BETHALTO • An organization formed to encourage civility in political discourse has stirred up a little controversy of its own.

The owner of the regular meeting spot for the Alton area's affiliate of Coffee Party USA has told organizers to find somewhere else for a Sept. 11 speaker to talk about being a "patriotic American Muslim."

Party spokesman Mike Davis said the group has met regularly for about five months at Ge Gee's Cafe, in Bethalto, including once since the business changed hands. Davis said he reserved space for Sept. 11 with the new owner, Jim Allen.

A few days later, Davis said, Allen canceled the reservation.

Davis said Allen said the topic was "too edgy for Bethalto." Allen could not be reached for comment.

The speaker is Dr. Khaled A. Hamid, an Egyptian-born physician who practices in St. Louis and has long worked to improve relations between Muslims and non-Muslims.

The organization has moved the session at noon Sept. 11 to the Sacred Grounds Cafe, at 233 North Main Street in Edwardsville.

Davis said he gave no thought to the significance of the Sept. 11 date when planning the event. He said the group typically meets every other Saturday, and changed its schedule this time to avoid the Labor Day holiday weekend and accommodate Hamid's availability.

"The date was not chosen to make any statement," Davis said. He said the meetings attract people of diverse political viewpoints.

"What's important is that we're able to talk about our differences and similarities in a civilized manner," Davis said. He said the situation "definitely shows the need for this kind of event."

The Coffee Party is a national political movement to discuss current events, formed earlier this year and regarded by some as an alternative to the conservative Tea Party. Those attending meetings are asked to sign a statement that says: "As a member or supporter of the Coffee Party, I pledge to conduct myself in a way that is civil, honest, and respectful toward people with whom I disagree. I value people from different cultures, I value people with different ideas, and I value and cherish the democratic process."

Davis, 52, is a disabled Army veteran who lives in Bethalto and is pursuing a bachelor's degree in social work at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.