RIYADH, 13 January 2003 — Dr. Saleh Al-Wohaibi, secretary-general of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth, described as "unacceptable" the decision of the French Embassy to refuse visas for 13 Islamic charity organizations for participating in an international conference for humanitarian organizations in Paris.
Addressing a packed press conference at WAMY headquarters here last night, Dr. Al-Wohaibi hoped that the embassy would not repeat such a mistake in future.
Haitham Manna, spokesman of the Arab committee for human rights in Paris, who participated in the press conference via teleconference, said France appeared to be acting under US pressure.
The WAMY secretary-general said the conference, which was held on Jan. 9-10, brought together 220 participants from 51 humanitarian organizations representing 65 countries. They included delegates from Muslim, Christian, Hindu and other faiths. WAMY and other charity organizations from the Kingdom were denied visas without any explanation by the French Embassy.
Asked if France was acting under pressure in taking such a decision, Haitham said it was possible. He cautioned Paris against allowing the US to export a new form of McCarthyism to Europe. He was referring to the cold war-era witch-hunting of communist sympathizers by then US Secretary of State Joseph McCarthy.
The conference was sponsored by an Arab philanthropist, who wished to remain anonymous.
A communiqué issued by participants described as "discriminatory"‚ the measures adopted against some charitable organizations as they sought to curtail humanitarian activities either in democratic or non-democratic countries. It also condemned the "war declared on some charity organizations" in the name of the war on terror.
