Muslim Ambassadors: 'Sweden needs to change its laws'

Like The Roman · 20-09-2007, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Ambassadors from Muslim countries have indicated that they intend to present the Swedish prime minister with a list of demands when they meet for talks on Friday.

Fredrik Reinfeldt invited the ambassadors from 20 Muslim countries to government offices on Friday following a wave of protests from Muslim countries after the publication of a caricature of Muhammad in local newspaper Nerikes Allehanda.

Egyptian ambassador Mohamed Sotouhi told news agency TT that he and a group of fellow ambassadors had agreed on a list of measures Sweden needed to take if it was to secure a long-term solution to the Muhammad cartoon controversy.

According to Sotouhi, "comprehensive measures" were required if Sweden was to prevent some "amateur artist" from reawakening tensions every other month.

"We want to see action, not just nice words. We have to push for a change in the law," he said.

"Muslims need legal protection against the desecration of the Prophet Muhammad, maybe something similar to the protection enjoyed by Jews and homosexuals."

While praising the "very constructive steps" taken by Fredrik Reinfeldt, the Egyptian ambassador said that Sweden had much work left to do.

"In the long term the school curriculum has to convince pupils that if they want to express their opinion they should do so in such a way that it doesn't cause offence or hurt. This should also be part of journalism training," said Sotouhi.

"A permanent parliamentary committee also needs to be established to tackle islamophobia," he added.

The ambassador urged Reinfeldt to strive towards "reaching a balance between freedom of speech and taking responsibility to avoid offending Muslims or other religious groups in this society".

"Everybody will compare his wisdom with the situation in Denmark, whose prime minister treated the problem with a sort of arrogance, or at least delayed taking action to prevent the problem from escalating," he said.

Sotouhi described Sweden as a sophisticated country containing talented and creative diplomats.

"They know that proactive measures are necessary and we are ready to cooperate with them," he said.

Algeria's ambassador to Sweden, Merzak Bedjaoui, said the meeting "was an excellent initiative taken in a spirit of appeasement."

"At our level, we are trying to work hand in hand with Swedish authorities to try to create a real bridge between our communities," he said.

"When we speak of a dialogue between civilisations, it can't just be a catchy slogan. I think that the publication of this kind of caricature doesn't help at all," he said.

Earlier in the day the Oscar Hållén said that the meeting would form "part of our dialogue with these countries."

"We want to emphasize the fact that Muslims and Christians live side by side in Sweden in a spirit of mutual respect," he said.

Hållén further added that the government intended to reiterate its earler defence of Swedish laws surrounding freedom of expression.

The government has indicated that the meeting will not be open to journalists.

The Local - Muslim ambassadors: 'Sweden needs to change its laws'

Not particularly surprising that it was 'taken in a spirit of appeasement'. We appeased Hitler, and look where that got us...

Aardvark · 20-09-2007, 11:55 PM

Perhaps the Saudis would like to allow Christian churches to open and Christmas to be celebrated without fear of imprisonment.

The Coptic Christians in Egypt are not treated with the respect that the Egyptian Ambassador asks for Muslims in Sweden; in fact he has probably forgotten that 10% of his country's population is Christian.

I suspect that if the Swedes had a good look at the laws of the complainant countries they would find a lack of human rights for non-Muslims. My response to any country is that there should be reciprocity - I want to be treated with the same respect in Muslim countries as Muslims demand in my country.

Like The Roman · 21-09-2007, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aardvark

Perhaps the Saudis would like to allow Christian churches to open and Christmas to be celebrated without fear of imprisonment.

The Coptic Christians in Egypt are not treated with the respect that the Egyptian Ambassador asks for Muslims in Sweden; in fact he has probably forgotten that 10% of his country's population is Christian.

I suspect that if the Swedes had a good look at the laws of the complainant countries they would find a lack of human rights for non-Muslims. My response to any country is that there should be reciprocity - I want to be treated with the same respect in Muslim countries as Muslims demand in my country.

True. Though I'd prefer we made no concessions to Islam, whether they are reciprocal or not.

Incidentally Jens Orback, Democracy Minister in the Social Democratic Swedish government allegedly said during a radio debate that: “We must be open and tolerant towards Islam and Muslims because when we become a minority, they will be so towards us.”

“Let Them Eat Kebab” – The New Marie Antoinettes | The Brussels Journal

Our politicians seem to hold similar opinions, this is the future of Europe.

g hall · 21-09-2007, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aardvark

My response to any country is that there should be reciprocity - I want to be treated with the same respect in Muslim countries as Muslims demand in my country.

Exactly right and in every country not just Muslim

20-09-2007, 11:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
Aardvark Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oxonia Posts: 3,987	Perhaps the Saudis would like to allow Christian churches to open and Christmas to be celebrated without fear of imprisonment. The Coptic Christians in Egypt are not treated with the respect that the Egyptian Ambassador asks for Muslims in Sweden; in fact he has probably forgotten that 10% of his country's population is Christian. I suspect that if the Swedes had a good look at the laws of the complainant countries they would find a lack of human rights for non-Muslims. My response to any country is that there should be reciprocity - I want to be treated with the same respect in Muslim countries as Muslims demand in my country. __________________ When in Woking do as the Wokes do. "I do not wish to form my opinions by thoughtlessly quoting others; I wish others to support their opinions by sensibly quoting me." Paul Wesson (Aardvark) 13th April 2008

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode