A call for respect and calm

Jorge Sampaio,

UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations

The recent release of an insulting film on the Holy Qur’an seems to serve no other purpose than to cause offence. The film may provoke and prompt social unrest, and encourage extremist groups within European societies whose agenda is to discriminate against and marginalize Muslim immigrants. Similarly, this offensive film may add to tensions between different cultures and may give rise to the idea that Europe or the West as a whole are hostile to Islam.

So let us always remember that misrepresentation fuels extremism and extremism appears to validate misrepresentation. That is the vicious circle we have to firmly oppose and avoid. We will all be the losers if we fail to immediately defuse this potential crisis, which will only serve to entrench already polarized opinions and to feed stereotypes and misconceptions that deepen patterns of hostility and mistrust among peoples and societies.

At the core of this situation is a trend towards extremism in many of our societies. We should indeed beware of overemphasizing it, because extremism anywhere is extremism everywhere, thanks to new media technologies. Few people think of themselves as extremists, but many can be pushed towards an extreme point of view, almost without noticing it, when they feel that the behavior or language of others is extreme.

We therefore deeply regret this offensive film.

Indeed the hard-won contest of freedom of expression is part of the principles and values upon which all democratic countries are founded, and that is non negotiable. However, freedom of expression does not preclude the protection of people from racist, discriminatory and xenophobic language. We all agree that everyone is entitled to freedom of worship and freedom of opinion and expression, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. But we also agree that the manifestation and the expression of these rights carry with them an inherent responsibility, including respect for the rights of others. More specifically, we should all exercise great sensitivity when dealing with symbols and traditions that are sacred to other people.

Let us remember that freedom of expression and the protection against racist and xenophobic language can, and have to, go hand in hand, as only the two together make democracy meaningful.

So let us remember that those who shout loudest or act in the most provocative way are not necessarily typical of the group on whose behalf they claim to speak. Non-Muslims in western societies have overwhelmingly no desire to offend the Muslim community and the vast majority of Muslims, even when offended, do not believe that violence or destruction is the right way to react.

The UN initiative of the Alliance of Civilizations is precisely aimed at stopping the spiral of hatred and obfuscation that, in itself, constitutes a threat to international peace and security. It intends to address the deeper and longer standing roots of our current difficulties of living together in our globalizing world, expressed in the present situation.

This is why confronted with this provocation, we should unite our voices worldwide to urge restraint and appeal for mutual respect. Let the voice of reason be heard and dialogue prevail, by listening and talking in the still, small voice of calm.