Without reservation, AEI-Open Windows condemns the cartoons picturing the Prophet Mohammed as a terrorist as they were originally published by a Danish newspaper and later reprinted in publications that appeared in several other European countries.
Without reservation, AEI-Open Windows condemns the cartoons picturing the Prophet Mohammed as a terrorist as they were originally published by a Danish newspaper and later reprinted in publications that appeared in several other European countries. These cartoons deny respect to Islam and Islamic traditions as well as to Islamic believers who hold dear the tenets of their religion, including the prohibition to make a picture of the Prophet Mohammed. Even when such cartoons are intended to test the limits of the freedom of expression, they are bound to foster hate, stereotyping and ignorance towards a community that already is subject to widespread discrimination in European countries.
At the same time, protests – some of which based on a misperception of the West or of westerners as being exclusively Christian – should be conducted with dignity, restraint and certainly without any violence directed at persons and properties. This especially applies to the lives of foreigners and Christian citizens in Middle Eastern countries, and to the integrity of diplomatic missions and Christian prayer places in the Middle East. We keep the Palestinian National Authority accountable to its promise that it does all it can to protect foreigners visiting or residing in Palestine.
AEI-Open Windows fully shares the call for moderation and wisdom as voiced by many religious authorities from all sides. At these times it is imperative to fight ignorance and religious prejudices and to support religious sensitivity, tolerance, civil security, and the promotion of respect through intercultural and inter-religious dialogue. Together with others, AEI will further develop its work for internal peace education in support of Moslem-Christian living together and national unity in Palestine.
