CAIRO: Arab Information Ministers opened their extraordinary meeting chaired by Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Ahmad bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo yesterday.
In his inaugural address Ahmad bin Abdullah denounced the publication by some Danish newspapers and the re-publication by some European newspapers of anti-Islamic cartoons depicting Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) in an offensive manner.
Such acts are disgusting and inconsiderate, Ahmad bin Abdullah said.
The Minister urged the international community to refrain from double-standards approach and not to condone such disgraceful acts, which risk stoking prejudice, hatred and racism.
Ahmad bin Abdullah called upon Arab Information Ministers to seek the development and the passage of a United Nations resolution incriminating any offensive attacks against the convictions, the religious beliefs or the spiritual sanctities of world peoples of all faiths.
Freedom of expression and freedom of faith, which "we highly uphold, do not entitle anyone to insult or offend others, the Minister said.
The publication by the Danish press and the re-publication by European media of such offensive pictures cannot be viewed as an exercise of freedom of the press or freedom of expression, the Minister said. Such acts, seemed to be taking advantage of the freedom of expression and take cover of the banner of freedom of belief to behave offensively against Muslims, to show inconsideration of and disrespect for their faith and further more transgress on their sanctities, he said.
Qatar's Minister laid emphasis on the significance of the extra-ordinary Arab Information ministers designated to discuss the development, the updating and the launch of an Arab media campaign abroad.
"As agreed at our previous meeting, we come together today for an extra-ordinary meeting to table a significant issue, namely to develop, update and launch a common media campaign on the international landscape to present the world with the fair image of Arabs and Muslims and to inform the international public opinion about the bright aspects of the Arab Islamic civilisations, about the tolerant religion of Islam and about our just causes", Ahmad bin Abdullah said.
The Minister extended heartfelt condolences on the death of Emir of Kuwait H H Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, and extended congratulations to the new Emir of Kuwait H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah.
The Qatari Minister also extended deepest condolences to the Egyptian President Mohammad Hosny Mubarak, to the government of Egypt and to the Egyptian people on the victims of the ferry tragedy on Thursday, praying to almighty Allah, to have mercy on them, to make paradise their abode and to grant solace and fortitude to their families and next of kin.
© The Peninsula 2006
