Muslim body urges Europe to criminalise religious hate speech

Europe must increase its efforts to integrate Muslim immigrant populations and criminalise religious hate speech, Muslim World League (MWL) chief, Mohammed al-Issa has said. al-Issa said the organisation, headquartered in Mecca, could assist in assimilation and the eradication of extremist ideology abroad. “We believe that European countries, where there is much debate now, and other […]

Europe must increase its efforts to integrate Muslim immigrant populations and criminalise religious hate speech, Muslim World League (MWL) chief, Mohammed al-Issa has said.

al-Issa said the organisation, headquartered in Mecca, could assist in assimilation and the eradication of extremist ideology abroad.

“We believe that European countries, where there is much debate now, and other countries around the world … need to enhance national assimilation programmes and criminalise hatred and contempt for adherents of religions because this threatens the safety of the community,” he told Reuters in an interview.

Without giving specific details, he said MWL “has programmes and curricula that enhance national assimilation and which can courageously and forcefully confront all forms of extremism, as well as special programmes to thwart efforts to infiltrate the Muslim community.” 

The MWL is very active in nations of Europe which have a large number of Muslim residents, such as Britain and France.

It also encourages Muslims to be more religiously observant and promotes global solidarity among the faithfuls. (Reuters/Breitbart)