The top-level delegation was headed by Sir Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary General of the MCB and Dr Daud Abdullah, Assistant Secretary General.
The meeting which lasted for just over an hour was urgently convened to discuss the international crisis caused by the publication in Denmark of caricatures of the holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.
The MCB delegation conveyed to the Ambassador the profound anguish and resentment caused by the offensive cartoons. They pointed out that a full and unambiguous apology from the Danish government would help to diffuse the crisis and start the healing process.
The Ambassador reiterated his government’s contrition over the matter but noted they were unable to apologise on behalf of the newspaper involved. He welcomed a suggestion from the MCB to consider measures to prevent the publication of such offensive material in future.
As a practical measure the MCB delegation suggested that the Danish Government intensifies its efforts to work with the leadership of the Muslim community in its country. And that it also engages more vigorously with the media (especially the satellite TV outlets) in the Arab world where the boycott has been particularly damaging.
The two sides agreed to monitor the situation and maintain contact with a view to resolving the crisis.
NOTE
The cartoons were commissioned by the editor of the Danish paper 'Jyllands-Posten' and first published in September 2005.
LINKS: MCB Press Releases
3rd Feb
30th Jan
|
