ISNA Appreciates Apology of Danish Editor

ISNA

Posted Feb 2, 2006      •Permalink      • Printer-Friendly Version
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ISNA Appreciates Apology of Danish Editor
01-31-06 18:55
ISNA

January 31, 2006

Plainfield IN. The offensive cartoons about Prophet Muhammad published by the Danish newspaper have been universally condemned by people of different faiths. Shaikh Muhammad Nur Abdullah, president of ISNA, said that the cartoons were very distasteful and not fitting with civilized norms. Former President Clinton described as “appalling” and “totally outrageous” the 12 cartoons published in a Danish newspaper in September and recently reprinted in a Norwegian magazine in January.

ISNA appreciates the fact that the apology from the newspaper editor has been accepted by the Denmark Islamic Faith Community. ISNA asks the editor to provide space for balanced articles on Islam and Prophet Muhammad to reflect their regret and undo the damage. We wish this kind of response had come earlier to save the embarrassment that it created around the world.

At a time when we are engaged in promoting better understanding between the East and the West and between different religions and religious communities, it is important we develop greater sensitivity and respect for world religions.

In a separate letter addressed to the ambassadors of Norway and Denmark, the president of ISNA has asked for a meeting to discuss how ISNA could help in resolving the tension that this situation has created.

ISNA is planning to send a delegation to Denmark to meet with the government officials, interfaith leaders and the Muslim community. “We need to preserve the environment of mutual trust and harmony and not allow such misguided acts to damage our relationships and understanding,” said Shaikh M. Nur Abdullah.

The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is the largest and oldest umbrella organization for the estimated 6-8 million Muslims embracing over 300 community organizations and professional organizations in North America. ISNA offers a variety of services to meet the religious, educational, cultural, and financial needs of Muslim communities across North America. In order to communicate with its membership and to reach out to the American mainstream, ISNA publishes the Islamic Horizons, a news and information magazine which is read by about 250,000 people.

 

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