Anti-Islam film condemned at UNGA

  • 12 years ago
EDIT CONTAINS 4:3 MATERIAL

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari condemned a recent anti-Islam film during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday and urged the West to take measures against such expressions.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) PAKISTAN PRESIDENT ASIF ALI ZARDARI, SAYING:

"Although we can never condone violence, the international community must not become silent observers and should criminalise such acts that destroy the peace of the world and endanger the world security by misusing freedom of expression."

Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai also echoed his concerns.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) AFGHAN PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI, SAYING: (SOUNDBITE CONTINUES OVER SHOT OF AFGHAN DELEGATION)

"I call upon leaders in the West, both politicians and the media, to confront Islamophobia in all its many forms and manifestations."

The violent and deadly crisis from the crudely made film "Innocence of Islam" has exposed a deep divide over the issues of free speech and blasphemy.

The Islamic Cooperation has called on countries to ban expressions of Islamophobia just as some ban anti-semitic speech or Holocaust denial.

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