The Organisation of the Islamic Conference has urged the European Union to combat what it terms Islamophobia and which it says should be equated with xenophobia and anti-Semitism. "OIC member-states expect from the EU to identify Islamophobia as a dangerous phenomenon and observe and combat it like in the cases of xenophobia and anti-Semitism," the pan-Islamic organisation said on Saturday, after the publishing of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad in European press.It suggested "creating suitable observance mechanisms and revising its (EU's) legislation, in order to prevent the recurrence of the recent unfortunate incidents in the future."
More than 7000 Muslims marched through Paris on Saturday in protest against French newspapers that published cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, with some demonstrators holding up copies of the Quran. Marchers chanted prayers in Arabic, including "God is great!" One banner read: "When you attack religion, it's us you are attacking." Others said: "No to Islamophobia" and "French Muslims have the right to be respected." Five French newspapers have reprinted caricatures of the prophet that first appeared in Denmark: dailies France Soir, Liberation, Le Figaro and Le Parisien, as well as satirical weekly Charlie-Hebdo.