Moroccan national elected secretary general of the European Islamic conference

Moroccan Mohamed Bechari was recently elected secretary general of the European Islamic Conference that gathers representatives of Muslims living in 33 European countries.

The conference is in charge of coordinating between various Islamic institutions in Europe and establishing dialogue with the European Union on issues related to the Muslim community in Europe, Bechari who attended a colloquy on activation of Islamic media action told MAP correspondent in Libya.

Bechari who is settled in France said the organization will talk with the European Union over religious issues and the place they will be given in the European common constitution, slated for 2004, in addition to the impact of European laws on the situation of Muslims in Europe.

Bechari, who chairs the federation of Muslims in France noted that Muslims have to play a more active role in the continent which counts some 40 million Muslims, including some who hold important positions in parliaments and EU political bodies.