European Commission Issues Call for Engagement with Muslim Communities

October 10, 2005

Source: Muslim Public Affairs Council press release

http://www.mpac.org/home_article_display.aspx?ITEM=823

On October 10, 2005 a Muslim Public Affairs Council Press Release reported, "The Vice President of the European Commission last week announced a 'strategic decision intended to strengthen the trans-Atlantic partnership.' At a Ramadan iftar hosted by Commission Head John Bruton, Franco Frattini stressed that Muslim communities in all nations should not be courted only for security or counterterrorism purposes, but to encourage the development of Muslim identities that are vested in Europe and the United States... MPAC National Director Ahmed Younis stressed to Attorney General Gonzales and Secretary Chertoff the need to emulate the work of Home Secretary Clarke in forming a number of Councils under their auspices to begin to deal with many of these important issues in an organized and comprehensive manner. MPAC is working to bridge the channels of dialogue and communication between the Muslims of America and those of Europe in an effort to learn as much as possible about ways to ensure a substantive and successful engagement with the U.S. government."