A big Thank You to the Irish media & rally against Islamophobia

Dated: 10 February 2006

Muslims of Ireland will make a token march to thank the Irish media for not publishing the cartoons which villified the prophet of Islam.

On: Friday 10th February At: 2:30 PM

Where: >From the Pakistani shop in Clanbrassil Street (Off South Circular Road, to St. Stephen's Green Dublin where prominent Muslim Leaders will give speeches.

United Message:

"The first message that we want to send to the country is that of the legitimate voice of the Muslim community (as opposed to those that hijacked last week's demonstration outside the Danish embassy in London). We condemn in the strongest sense the vicious rhetoric and un-Islamic slogans that were used by misguided and angry Muslims. Although we are hurt by the cartoons, we condemn the violence which followed it across the world. We are people of peace and are trying to do our best in bridging the gap between Islam and the West therefore we thank the Irish media for not publishing these offensive pictures and unintelligible cartoons.

"Secondly, to Europe, the lesson from the cartoon is not that Western newspapers come under the fold of Islamic law. It is actually that 'Orientalists' and 'Islam-o-phobic caricatures are unacceptable, irresponsible, and lead to a more polarised world. Jewish leaders and prominent figures like Bill Clinton have likened it to the characterisation of Jews over the centuries. We know that it has ended up in the extermination of more than six million Jews. We are not against freedom of speech but we encourage free speech without vilification.

"Thirdly, to the Muslim world, we wish to send a message of calm. It may appear to them that there is a great Western conspiracy against their faith, but there are a large number of people who are on the side of reconciliation, and we hope that comes out loud and clear on Friday."

Fourthly, we do not under any circumstances condone the mocking of any people. The actions of the Iranian daily newspaper who wish to mock the holocaust are distasteful and we call upon the paper to stop the competition forthwith.