Muslims in European 'peace drive'

A groundbreaking conference for young Muslims from across Europe is taking place in Switzerland.

Delegates from seven countries have been brought together by the organisation Initiatives of Change, which has a long history of promoting peace on the continent.

[...]

One of the visiting scholars, Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, says the event provides an important opportunity for European Muslims to recognise their own diversity.

The participants come from a range of African, Middle Eastern and Asian family backgrounds.

Many are students; others are in full-time work, often with charities or voluntary organisations.

All here agree that Islam is a religion of peace - and Shaykh Mogra expresses irritation at any suggestion that such events are strong on rhetoric but short on practical outcomes.

"Sadly the situation for Muslims is: you're damned if you do, and you're damned if you don't. I would rather Muslims talk about peace, and try and become peacemakers, than listen to all the nonsense about Muslims being terrorists and violent extremists.

"We are truly, we believe, duty-bound to make sure that peace prevails on this planet."

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8195574.stm