RADIO NETHERLANDS WORLDWIDE: Cairo - Three Islamic leaders in Egypt have called on the United Nations to adopt a resolution banning all expressions that insult or offend religions. The appeal comes in response to the planned anti-Qur'an film by the Dutch far-right MP Geert Wilders.
The appeal has been issued by Egypt's mufti, the minister for religious affairs and the sheik of Cairo's al-Azhar university, one Sunni Islam's most important institutions.
The three leaders say the Dutch government should be careful not to confuse freedom of expression with insulting Islam. They point out that the populist Mr Wilders equates Islam with terrorism.
They warn that Mr Wilders' film only aims to provoke and is bound to fan religious tensions. They also express dismay that "such persistent insults to Islam" have not prompted stronger protests. [Source: Egypt wants UN ban on religious insults >>>]
Mark Alexander (Paperback)
Mark Alexander (Hardback)
