Grand Mufti speeches at the EU, warns The Netherlands
In their infinite wisdom, the European Parliament invited the Grand Mufti of Syria, Ahmad Badr Al-Din Hassoun, to deliver a speech. Supposedly, he's the first in a series of 'eminent religious and cultural leaders' to address the Toy Parliament in this, the EUnions 'Year of Intercultural Dialogue'. Naturally, the EP itself was gushing with praise and goodwill towards the Grand Mufti:
In a speech to MEPs on Tuesday on the subject of intercultural dialogue, the Grand Mufti of Syria, Ahmad Badr Al-Din Hassoun, stressed the value of culture as a unifying rather than a dividing force. Dr Hassoun was addressing a formal sitting of Parliament as the first speaker in a series of visits by eminent religious and cultural leaders in 2008, which has been designated European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.The Grand Mufti denied there is such a thing as "Holy war", telling the gathered MEPs that there is only "Holy Peace". However, completely missing from the EU's own reporting was the warning Dr. Hassoun has for the Netherlands (NL):
Opening his address, the Grand Mufti stressed that "there is one single culture" in the world, the culture of humankind. Indeed, he said, "we are all building one culture, so I do not believe in the conflict of cultures".
If a clash did exist, this was "a conflict with ignorance, terrorism and backwardness". Stressing the universality of culture, he said that the Soviet and American space agencies, in sending men to the moon, had built on the civilisation founded by Europeans before them. In addition, "those who built the pyramids are among our grandfathers". These examples showed that "civilisation is one".
Should it come to riots, bloodshed and violence after broadcating the Quran movie by PVV-leader Geert Wilders, then Wilders will be responsible.
This was said by the Grand Mufti of Syria, Ahmad Badr Al-Din Hassoun, Tuesday in teh European Parliament, where he gave a speech at the invitation of the fraction presidents.
If Wilders tears up or burn a Quran in his film 'this will simply mean he is inciting wars and bloodshed. And he will be responsible', according to te Grand Mufti.
Al Hassoun thinks it is 'the responsibility of the Dutch people to stop Wilders'.
Which comes down to a case of blackmail against the Netherlands, in direct contradiction to the 'peaceful' nature of the Grand Mufti's speech as reported by the EP's own site, doesn't?
Why was this primitive loudmouth allowed to address the EP in the first place? And why wasn't he taken to task about the persecution of Christians and others of a faith not islam in Syria and the ME at large?
It speaks volumes about the EUnions dedication to freedom (none) that the entire parliament enthusiatically applauded a speaker that made some not very veiled threats against one of the EU member states, one of the founding states, even. No protests, just a gushing report on the speech, glossing over the less refined passages in it. Mustn't offend the Mufti, you see. Appeasement, that is what matters.
Can we leave yet?
(crossposted at Klein Verzet)
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