| Muslim leader deplores violent protests over cartoons
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Ibrahim El-Zayat, leader of the Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe
Photo: Doron Chmiel
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While the Danish government called for calm after cartoons featuring Prophet Muhammed published in a Danish newspaper sparked worldwide demonstrations, the leader of a pan-European Muslim organization deplored violent protests in some Arab countries against Denmark.
“You should have noticed that violent demonstrations took place in Palestine, Syria and Indonesia, but in Europe Muslim protest was not violent, Ibrahim El-Zayat, chairman of the UK-based Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe told a conference on interfaith dialogue organized Tuesday at the European Parliament in Brussels.
“This is a sign that the 25 millions of Muslims who are living in Europe feel they are part of the society. But they also deserve protection and respect,” he said, deploring “islamophobic” attitudes.
“Government not clever”
El-Zayat criticized the attitude of the Danish government who, he said, “has not been very clever in this issue.” “There was a lack of reaction towards the Muslims,” he stressed.
Speaking about the cartoons, which depicted Muhammed wearing a turban made out of a bomb, the Muslim leader said that “freedom of speech has its borders.” “When it comes to insults or defamation, it’s not allowed.”
“In Germany, where I am living, such cartoons would not have been allowed and would be condemned by law.”
He deplored the fact that interfaith dialogue in Europe remains “too academic” and “doesn’t reach the public.” “There is a lack of information and limited interest from both sides,” he added.
He also cited Austria as the “best model” in Europe for the integration of Muslims in this country.
The conference, which emphasized the need for teaching and education about other faiths, was jointly organized by Ryszard Czarnecki, a Polish member of the European Parliament, and the Brussels-based European Jewish Community Centre.
EU concern
Meanwhile, the European Union stepped up pressure on Arab and Muslim countries to control protests over the cartoons, reminding 19 nations of their treaty obligation to protect diplomatic missions.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, EU president Austria said it had instructed its embassies in the Middle East, Asian and African countries to demand increased security measures for European citizens and premises after a wave of anti-European violence by angry Muslim protesters.
Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik said national authorities must take the necessary steps to ensure security.
"The authorities in Egypt, Algeria, Ethiopia, Iran, Jordan, Indonesia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and the Palestinian Territories were also reminded of their obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations to protect the diplomatic missions of the EU Member States," the statement said.
It followed the torching of Danish diplomatic missions in Damascus and Beirut at the weekend, attacks on the EU office in Gaza last week and the petrol bombing of the Danish embassy in Tehran on Monday.
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