Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Erna Solberg said Thursday that Qazi Hussain Ahmed may enter Norway. Ahmed, whose repeated praise of Osama bin Laden has led several countries, including the Netherlands, to deny him entry, has been invited by the Islamic Cultural Center to lecture in Oslo. Solberg said that Ahmed's presence on the Schengen list (SIS) in connection with the Dutch refusal to admit him did not necessarily mean that he must be denied entry to Norway. Norway did warn the other Schengen nations of their decision. "The government has decided to let freedom of speech weigh most. Qazi stands for extremely controversial opinions that strongly contrast with this government's views, but we have made this decision," Solberg said.| Qazi is all about freedom of speech, baby. |
"Such a visit to Norway will increase the pressure on minority communities to take part in public debates and stand up for their opinions," Solberg said.| "And hopefully, they won't get stoned for expressing them." |
Progress Party leader Carl I. Hagen, who has recently captured headlines by provoking the Muslim community in general, deplored the ruling. "I fear that he can inspire Muslim fundamentalists that may be in Norway. I also react to Solberg granting an entry permit to someone who opposes democracy in Pakistan and would rather introduce sharia laws and a theocracy like in Iran," Hagen said in a press release. |