New charter on the rights and responsibilities of Muslims within European society

On January 10, 2008 around 400 Muslim groups met in Brussels to sign a charter for the Muslims of Europe. This charter describes the rights and responsibilities of Muslims within the European society and is supposed to ameliorate the negative images of Islam and improve relations between Muslims and non-Muslims within Europe. “It describes how we should act as positive citizens in the societies in which we live and not be a threat,” said Ibrahim Elzayat, a representative for the Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe (FIOE).
European officials and politicians support the charter. “The charter amounts to a code of good conduct for Muslims in Europe which commits them to taking part in building a united society,” said European Parliament vice-president Mario Mauro, responsible for relations between the parliament and religious groups. The charter is divided into 26 separate points which are aimed to disperse common myths and stereotypes about Islam. Furthermore certain terms such as ‘jihad’ are clarified in the document. “The term Jihad that occurs in Islamic texts means to exert all efforts towards good, starting from reforming oneself to spreading truth and justice between people,” reads the document. It continues “Based on such an understanding of Jihad, Islam rejects violence and terrorism, supports just causes and affirms the right of all people to defend themselves by legitimate means.”