Frattini : Limit to respect for Islam
Vice-president of the European Commission Frattini said in an interview with the Italian daily La Repubblica that there are limits to how much Europe respects Muslim traditions. He said that European values, such as free speech, and equality between males and females, can not be pushed aside just to respect Islamic teachings. Europe is struggling to integrate millions of Muslims. There have been several incidents showing the friction between the West and Islam. Danish cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed sparked violent protests in the Muslim World. A speech by Pope Benedict linking Islam to violence resulted in death threats being made against the Pope.
Mr Frattini, in charge of the justice and security portfolio, has among commissioners been the most outspoken critic of the recent reaction in the Muslim world to a speech by Pope Benedict XVI suggesting links between Islam and violence.
Referring to the controversy, Mr Frattini told La Repubblica that both European political and cultural leaders and moderate Muslim authorities should have condemned threats to the pope after his speech.
“If we ourselves do not maintain our strong identity, if we are not sure about our principles - how can we manage integrating with others?” he asked.
“We can guarantee respect of traditions of the Muslim community only if these are not in contrast with our core rules, even if they are unwritten.”
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Administrator @ October 9, 2006