Egypt urges more Danish steps on anti-Prophet cartoons
Egypt-Denmark, Politics, 1/31/2006

Egypt considers statements the Danish prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen in which he condemned any attempt to depict any ethnic group of people as evil as a first step, said Assistant Foreign Minister Mohamed Shaaban, but more is needed.

The government noted that "Shaaban told a press conference on Monday that the anti-Islam campaigns have been surging since the September 11 attacks on the United States."

"The official, who served as Egypt's ambassador to Denmark till 2000, denied any discrimination against Muslims during his tenure in Denmark. He said Egypt had initiated the issue of boycotting Danish products, pointing out that Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit had sent a letter to the secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Conference in this score," the report noted.

Danish products have been greatly effected in the Middle East as a result of the incident. "The boycott of Danish products in the Middle East is now almost total. All Arla's (Arla Food company) customers in the region have cancelled their orders and sales have come to a standstill in almost all markets. Arla's warehouses are full, and further products sent before the boycott started are on their way from Denmark. Within the next few days, Arla will decide whether to suspend production for the Middle East. This is primarily centred at Bislev and Holstebro dairies and Akafa."

Previous Stories:
  Danish paper apologizes to Muslims over insulting them, companies sales come to a halt   (1/31/2006)
  Syrian official source condemns caricature in Danish papers   (1/30/2006)
  Saudi Arabia summons ambassador in Denmark for insulting Prophet Muhammad   (1/27/2006)

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