Schroeder:Europe Should be More Understanding to Muslims Beliefs

In light of the widespread row over the defaming caricatures of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad PBUH, the German ex-chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder said Europeans should be more understanding of the Muslim beliefs.

In the opening session of Jeddah Economic Forum, Schroeder stated that the European integration is based on respecting other cultures, tolerance, and admitting the cultural diversity. Refraining from any act that hurts the religious feelings comes under these principles. Unfortunately, many European countries did not adhere to this rule, recently.

Firstly published in a Danish newspaper then reprinted in other European ones, the disfiguring cartoons of Prophet Muhammad sparked rage over the Muslim world. Outraged Muslims over the world protested the drawings furiously.

Presented to the forum as an intimate friend, Schroeder remarked:’ we should return back to tolerance and the respect of religious and cultural values.’ He, moreover, called on bridging gabs among cultures. In this respect, the EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana will start a tour of the Middle East to win back the ’friendship ties’ with the Islamic world. According to sources in Brussels, Solana will meet the Secretary General of the Islamic Conference, Akmal al-Dean Ehssan on Monday.

After hinting to world stance, including the U.N. Secretary General, Schroeder indicated that although he is ’sorry’ for the caricatures, he opposes the violent reactions of some extremists.