Muslim nations condemn terrorism

DAKAR, SENEGAL —  World Muslim leaders on Friday condemned extremism and terrorism as incompatible with Islam and proposed a high-level international meeting to promote a “dialogue of civilizations” with Christians.

Leaders of the 57-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference, which represents 1.5 billion Muslims across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, made the “Dakar Declaration” after a two-day summit in Senegal.

“We continue to strongly condemn all forms of extremism and dogmatism which are incompatible with Islam, a religion of moderation and peaceful coexistence,” the declaration said.

The Muslim body condemned acts of terrorism committed in the name of Islam.

But, in an apparent reference to the Palestinian fight against Israel, it said terrorism should be differentiated from “legitimate resistance against foreign occupation.”

Some nations also said they were considering legal action against those that slight their religion or its symbols.

Though the measures being considered have not been spelled out, the idea would be in contrast to the principles of freedom of speech enshrined in the constitutions of numerous Western governments.

“I don’t think freedom of expression should mean freedom from blasphemy,” said Senegal’s president, Abdoulaye Wade. “There can be no freedom without limits.”

The report urges the creation of a “legal instrument” to crack down on defamation of Islam. But some delegates said such an approach would be over the top.

“My general view would be that the confrontational approach is one my country would avoid,” said Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Iftekhar Chowdhury.