KARACHI: Extremism result of mutual ignorance, moot told
By Our Reporter
KARACHI, March 15: The participants of a workshop emphasizing the need for interfaith dialogue said that extremism all over the world in the context of blasphemous cartoon controversy and denial of holocaust was more due to clash of mutual ignorance and not a clash of civilization.
The workshop on “Reflections on the current crisis of the European Union”, was organized by the Area Study Centre for Europe in collaboration with the Hanns Seidel Foundation on Wednesday. It was chaired by former governor Lt-Gen Moinuddin Haider.
Some speakers also pointed at what they perceived as the EU’s double standards on scarf controversy and on the entry of Turkey in the community.
Representative of the German government declared that Berlin was in favour of the European constitution and would work for its ratification. But concern was also expressed that the current impasse, if it continued indefinitely would lead to a period of drift and uncertainty.
Speaking on the occasion, Consul-General of Germany in Karachi, Verena Grafin von Roedern, pointed out that the European constitution was passed with an overwhelming majority in the German Bundesrtag and met with the same unconditional approval by the government and the opposition alike.
She said that the coalition partners had no difficulties in agreeing on their reaction to two unsuccessful referendums in France and the Netherlands.
“We stand in favour of the European constitution treaty. Therefore, we will work for its ratification and shall give under the German presidency in the first half of 2007, new impulses,” the German Consul-General said.
She said: “Since the EU has already decided to start accession talks with Turkey, we will in the long term have to take Turkish membership into account as a possible part of the enlargement process.”
Earlier, former ambassador Tariq Fatemi stated that rejection of the draft constitution of the EU by the voters in two of the founding member states of the European community was a major setback to the European leaders. But, he added that rejection should not be seen as end of the European Union.
He was of the view that the growing disunity in the Union’s leadership over political, economic issues (Iraq war, relations with the US, budgetary allocations, farm subsidies etc.) had already weakened EU’s credibility and clout. However, he said one should not forget that the phenomenon of emergence of global challenges and threats such as climate control, international terrorism and similar issues had encouraged governments to come closer.
He said that Pakistan as a state believed that multiple centres of power were conducive to international peace and economic growth. He expressed hope that member states of the European Union would be able to resolve the differences and it would become strong and credible player in the global stage.
Lt-Gen (retd) Moinuddin Haider pointed out that Europe was a very important region as far as Pakistan was concerned. He said Pakistan had decade-old ties with Europe which was also our big trading partner.
He pointed out that after 9/11, trade concessions and market access was made available to Pakistan especially in the textile sector. This contributed towards boosting Pakistan’s economy resulting in creation of employment opportunities.
He further stated that attitude of the European countries towards Pakistan was quite mature and exhibit quite an understanding. Pakistan’s public at large was satisfied with this relationship by and large. He called for interaction with the European countries for progress and prosperity, employment opportunities, transfer of technology and sharing knowledge.
Uzma Shujaat dealt with the internal turmoil in France focusing on threat to the social cohesion of Europe. In this context, she referred to the treatment of immigrants and October clashes in Paris and elsewhere. She said that the French turmoil offered the EU leader an opportunity to begin a total rethink and reassessment of Europe’s raison d’etre. “By doing so, they can prove that diversity in Europe was a sources of strength and not a weakness,” she added.
Sheila Zulfiqar Ahmad spoke on “Freedom of speech within the EU: The holocaust denial issue and the cartoon controversy”.
ASCE Director Dr Naveed Ahmad Tahir was of the view that events such as those in France, Spain and London terrorist bombings and the inclusion in the EU of the not-so prosperous East and Central European countries had highlighted the problems of immigrants in the EU, especially that of Muslim immigrants and their social integration in the host countries. She referred to proliferation of xenophobic movements and far right parties in Europe. The cartoon controversy had further complicated matters, she said.
Dr Tahir said that freedom of expression certainly did not mean the licence to slander their other’s values and believes.
