Mark
02-02-06, 14:56
GAAC call to fight attacks on Islam
Web posted at: 2/2/2006 4:45:30
Source ::: The Peninsula
DOHA: The Global Anti-Aggression Campaign yesterday called upon Muslims around the world to unitedly fight the attacks on their faith. The publication of caricatures that blaspheme the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) by a Danish daily, it said, was part of these attacks.
In a statement, the Doha-based forum blasted the Danish government and its premier’s defence of the caricatures in the name of freedom of the press and freedom of expression, as ridiculous.
These caricatures, GAAC said, were not any form of fine art and the only purpose they served was to hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims and create disharmony. How then, it asked, can their publication be viewed as upholding of the freedom of expression and the media?
The Danish government, it added, was also silent on the distortion of facts and the misunderstandings these caricatures created. How can degrading something held sacred by a faith be considered as a freedom of expression, it asked.
The GAAC further pointed out, the entire Muslim world had in once voice asked the Taleban who then ruled Afghanistan, not to demolish the ancient, giant sized idols of Buddha in Bamiyan. This signified that Muslims had tried to prevent defiling of things held sacred by people of other faiths.
However, Muslims, since 9-11 terror attacks on the US, it said, continue to be persecuted worldwide under the name of the War Against Terror initiated by Washington.
He said, the so-called war against terrorism has targeted Muslims while trying to depict Islam as a religion that spawns hatred and violence rather than peace and love, it actually stands for.
This was highlighted by the fact that various forces supporting Israel and an organisation called Extremist Protestants were pursing Islamic charities. As a result, such charities were under scrutiny, which had compromised severely, several developmental projects they had undertaken such as building educational facilities and cultural exchanges.
Meanwhile, Abdul Rahman bin Umair Al Nuaimi, General Secretary, GAAC, said, all Muslims should continue boycotting Danish products and brands originating from that country until Copenhagen bows to demands of the entire Islamic community for an apology over the blasphemous caricatures.
Businesses in Qatar yesterday reacted with caution when asked if they would boycott French-made products and brands following reports that a newspaper in that country carried Danish caricatures that denigrate Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
Official at a leading Doha-based store pointed out, the repercussions on local businesses of boycotting French-made products and brand would be very severe as compared to Danish-made merchandise.
“The number of products, both food and non-food, which come from France or carry French brands is very high and most shops will have millions of riyals worth stocks which they cannot return," he said.
Web posted at: 2/2/2006 4:45:30
Source ::: The Peninsula
DOHA: The Global Anti-Aggression Campaign yesterday called upon Muslims around the world to unitedly fight the attacks on their faith. The publication of caricatures that blaspheme the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) by a Danish daily, it said, was part of these attacks.
In a statement, the Doha-based forum blasted the Danish government and its premier’s defence of the caricatures in the name of freedom of the press and freedom of expression, as ridiculous.
These caricatures, GAAC said, were not any form of fine art and the only purpose they served was to hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims and create disharmony. How then, it asked, can their publication be viewed as upholding of the freedom of expression and the media?
The Danish government, it added, was also silent on the distortion of facts and the misunderstandings these caricatures created. How can degrading something held sacred by a faith be considered as a freedom of expression, it asked.
The GAAC further pointed out, the entire Muslim world had in once voice asked the Taleban who then ruled Afghanistan, not to demolish the ancient, giant sized idols of Buddha in Bamiyan. This signified that Muslims had tried to prevent defiling of things held sacred by people of other faiths.
However, Muslims, since 9-11 terror attacks on the US, it said, continue to be persecuted worldwide under the name of the War Against Terror initiated by Washington.
He said, the so-called war against terrorism has targeted Muslims while trying to depict Islam as a religion that spawns hatred and violence rather than peace and love, it actually stands for.
This was highlighted by the fact that various forces supporting Israel and an organisation called Extremist Protestants were pursing Islamic charities. As a result, such charities were under scrutiny, which had compromised severely, several developmental projects they had undertaken such as building educational facilities and cultural exchanges.
Meanwhile, Abdul Rahman bin Umair Al Nuaimi, General Secretary, GAAC, said, all Muslims should continue boycotting Danish products and brands originating from that country until Copenhagen bows to demands of the entire Islamic community for an apology over the blasphemous caricatures.
Businesses in Qatar yesterday reacted with caution when asked if they would boycott French-made products and brands following reports that a newspaper in that country carried Danish caricatures that denigrate Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
Official at a leading Doha-based store pointed out, the repercussions on local businesses of boycotting French-made products and brand would be very severe as compared to Danish-made merchandise.
“The number of products, both food and non-food, which come from France or carry French brands is very high and most shops will have millions of riyals worth stocks which they cannot return," he said.