Muslims condemn assassination attempt
11. feb. 2013 13.03 English“Muslims stand for love, and that is what we are representing today. We condemn the action because first and foremost Lars Hedegaard is a human being.”
These were the words on Sunday afternoon of Muslim Qaisar Najeeb, from the organisation Minhaj Ul-Quran, who had organised a procession in Copenhagen to celebrate the birth of the prophet Mohammed.
This came just five days after a man attempted to shoot the well-known critic of Islam, Lars Hedegaard, in his home in Frederiksberg.
Assassination attempt damaging to Muslims
Although it is not known whether the motive was religious, Najeeb believes the attempted assassination is to the detriment of Danish Muslims:
“It’s something that is damaging to us Muslims and paints a picture of us as violent people who want to do harm to Denmark,” Najeeb told DR News. “If anyone criticises us, they are welcome to do so – it doesn’t matter. But we condemn those who want to practise violence.”
Room for everyone
From a safe house, Hedegaard has posted an article on the internet in which he compares Islam with political ideologies such as Nazism and communism.
“There should be room for all people in the world,” said supply teacher Masoon Rana. “Obviously, there are some people who are critics of Islam, and there should be room for them as well.”
Should not happen
Rana is supported by engineer Naveed Njam:
“It’s terrifying and should not happen – and definitely not in Denmark,” said Njam, who joined with several hundred other Muslims in the procession.