Finnish Islamic Council does not back establishment of Islamic party

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Recent public debate on Islam has focused largely on current efforts to set up a Finnish Islamic Party - even though the group is still far from getting the 5,000 signatures that it needs to officially register a political party. The group itself says that it has about 1,000 signatures so far.
      Anas Hajjar, chairman of the executive of the Finnish Islamic Council, is amazed at the publicity generated by the would-be party.
     "First of all, the focus in the media has been on a few statements made by the party. Second, representatives of the Islamic Party appear to have been very eager to bask in the media spotlight - much more so than members of the Islamic Council, for instance, who are more cautious in their statements", Hajjar says.
     
Established just over a year ago, the Finnish Islamic Council includes 18 organisations who together represent a majority of Finland's Muslims. According to the statement of the council, Finland does not need an Islamic party - at least not yet.
     "We have felt that we can achieve our goals in other ways than by taking part in politics. Societal activities are something that we see in the future, but they are not our priority at this moment."
     Hajjar says that important goals for the Islamic Council include securing Muslim religious teaching, helping young Muslims get into higher education, and dialogue with other religious communities. However, Hajjar emphasises that there is no single "Islamic" political point of view.
     "There are different points of view and schools of thought. For that reason, bringing out a single point of view or alternative is not always the best option."
     
Hajjar points out that Muslims have been an influential force in Finnish society and Finnish politics for decades.
     "It is possible that the present political parties would be sufficient for the Muslim population. The founders of the Islamic party naturally have the right to go into politics, but they only represent themselves and their voters."


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Islamic Party still has long way to go to be officially registered (8.1.2008)
  Islamic Party gearing up for municipal elections (8.2.2008)

Helsingin Sanomat