JEDDAH, 31 August 2004 — The head scarf issue in France was a flimsy link with the current situation in Iraq, according to Dr. Abdelouahed Belkeziz, secretary-general of the Jeddah-based Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).
In a statement to Arab News yesterday, Belkeziz strongly condemned the kidnapping of two French journalists in Iraq. “Such actions can only cause serious harm to Islam, Muslims and their causes everywhere,” he said.
“These acts strike at the heart of the Iraqi cause itself,” he emphasized.
Stressing that Islam is a tolerant and noble religion, with no place and basis for such acts, he said that the whole Islamic world condemns hostage taking and terrorizing of innocent people.
Belkeziz urged the “influential players” to do their utmost to secure the release of the two French journalists and convince the kidnappers that antagonizing friendly nations in this manner defies the bounds of reason and in no way serves the higher interests of Muslims.
He hoped that everyone would listen to the voice of wisdom and exercise good judgment to find a way out by securing the release of the hostages to spare Iraq and the Islamic world any further crises.
