Le Soir: Confusing Islam with terrorism is dangerous simplism, Moroccan official

Confusing Islam with terrorism is a "dangerous simplism," said Moroccan minister-delegate in charge of expatriates, in an interview published Tuesday in the Belgian daily "Le Soir."

Chekrouni made this statement answering a question on a statement of interior Belgian minister, Patrick Dewael, who presumably said "not all cultures are equal."

"I have the impression that the Arab world is imprisoned in an amalgam of simplism," she said, noting that "the political world should make a huge effort to dissipate such prejudices."

The Moroccan official deplored that a "new ignorance" might appear in Western countries, that is the ignorance of the North on what is going on in the South.

"It is too simple to label people without having genuine knowledge," she pointed out.

"People who criticize the Islamic world should see changes taking place there. What should not be done is making a hierarchy between cultures," she noted.

"Every culture is different, but each one deserves respect." Chekrouni stressed.