Need stressed to renew dialogue among faiths: UN, OIC, EU issue joint statement
By Masood Haider
UNITED NATIONS, Feb 8: The leaders of the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Conference and the European Union on Tuesday expressed deep alarm at the repercussions of the publication in Denmark several months ago of insulting caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and their subsequent republication by some other European newspapers and at the violent acts that have occurred in reaction to them.
In a joint statement, the secretary-general of the United Nations, the secretary-general of Organization of Islamic Conference and the high representative for common foreign and security policy of European Union said: “These events make the need for renewed dialogue, among and between communities of different faiths and authorities of different countries, all the more urgent. We call on them to appeal for restraint and calm, in the spirit of friendship and mutual respect.”
They said: “The anguish in the Muslim World at the publication of these offensive caricatures is shared by all individuals and communities who recognize the sensitivity of deeply held religious belief.”
“In all societies there is a need to show sensitivity and responsibility in treating issues of special significance for the adherents of any particular faith, even by those who do not share the belief in question,” the statement said.
Saying “we fully uphold the right of free speech,” the statement said: “But we understand the deep hurt and widespread indignation felt in the Muslim World. We believe freedom of the press entails responsibility and discretion, and should respect the beliefs and tenets of all religions.”
“But we also believe the recent violent acts surpass the limits of peaceful protest. In particular, we strongly condemn the deplorable attacks on diplomatic missions that have occurred in Damascus, Beirut and elsewhere. Aggression against life and property can only damage the image of a peaceful Islam. We call on the authorities of all countries to protect all diplomatic premises and foreign citizens against unlawful attack,” the statement said.
OIC CONDEMNS: The Organization of Islamic Conference on Tuesday strongly condemned the publication of blasphemous cartoons in Danish and other European news media and called for calm and restraint consistent with the peaceful spirit of Islam.
An OIC ambassadors’ meeting, held at Pakistan’s initiative at the United Nations, expressed its dismay by the rejection of early efforts of OIC countries to resolve the issue.
In a statement, the OIC observed: “The situation was aggravated further by the republication of these blasphemous cartoons in newspapers in several European and other countries. These actions are unethical and immoral and have deeply offended and enraged the entire Ummah.”
The OIC Group stressed that such defamation of religions and prophets was inconsistent with the “right of freedom of expression” and constituted an incitement to hatred and violence against Muslims that could result in serious violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The OIC Group affirmed that Islam is a religion which promotes peace, tolerance and mutual co-existence. It rejected all attempts to denigrate Islam’s image or distort its message. It emphasized that in the globalised world, respect for cultural and religious diversity and values was essential to promote peace and harmony within and across societies and states.
The OIC Group called upon the European countries concerned to take steps to ensure that such incidents do not recur and also called for calm and restraint consistent with the peaceful spirit of Islam.
The OIC Group called upon all states, regional organizations, non-governmental organizations, religious bodies and the media to promote universal respect for all religious and cultural values and prevent serious instances of intolerance, discrimination, incitement of hatred and violence arising from defamation of religions, prophets and beliefs which threaten the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Addressing the meeting Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Munir Akram, urged a joint Islamic stand to condemn the deliberate policy of defaming and denigrating the image, message and values of Islam.
He deplored the arrogant and deliberate disregard of the sensitivities of Muslims by European newspapers. Mr Akram questioned the statements, deploring violence in Islamic states while failing to do so at the publication of insulting and provocative material.
He urged the Islamic Conference to vigorously reject the trend of attacks against Islam, which regrettably lead to violence and deep anguish in Muslim countries. Commenting on the reactions in Muslim countries, which had been described by some as ‘excessive’, Ambassador Akram stressed that those who “choose to do so, must not downplay the provocative nature” of the publication of blasphemous cartoons.
Pakistan proposed a draft for a joint statement, which was adopted by the meeting of Islamic Conference ambassadors with some amendments. Ambassador Akram’s leadership was widely applauded by Islamic Conference ambassadors and also for forging a common position of Islamic countries on such a sensitive issue.
The meeting also authorized the current chairman of the Islamic Conference (Yemen) along with the next chairman (Azerbaijan) and the former chairman (Turkey) to meet with the UN Secretary-General to discuss related developments and further action.
UNITED NATIONS, Feb 8: The leaders of the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Conference and the European Union on Tuesday expressed deep alarm at the repercussions of the publication in Denmark several months ago of insulting caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and their subsequent republication by some other European newspapers and at the violent acts that have occurred in reaction to them.
