CAIRO: Britain s Prince Charles on Tuesday condemned the violence sparked by the Prophet Mohammed cartoons and appealed to religious leaders to foster common values in a speech at a renowned Cairo university. Highest among those values of our common inheritance, and born of our love of God, must always come respect for each other, and for His creation, the heir to Britain s throne said. Our beliefs and values call out for peace and not conflict, Charles told an audience at Al-Azhar University, Sunni Islam s oldest and most renowned institution of learning. Al-Azhar awarded Charles an honorary doctorate for his conciliatory stance during the controversy over cartoons satirizing the Prophet Mohammed, despite criticisms by some of the institution s scholars. Prince Charles commented on the cartoons in his speech. The recent ghastly strife and anger over the Danish cartoons shows the danger that comes of our failure to listen and to respect what is precious and sacred to others, he said. I think of the experience of Muslims living in Europe who are subject to varied and continuous expressions of Islamophobia. I think of Christians living within some Muslim nations, who find themselves fettered by harsh and degrading restrictions, or subject to abuse by some of their fellow citizens, Charles noted. I believe with all my heart that responsible men and women must work to restore mutual respect between faiths, and that we should do all we can to overcome the distrust that poisons so many people s lives, he urged. He focused his condemnation on violence in the name of religion. Images of communities torn apart by religious conflict are deeply harrowing, from Bosnia to Baghdad and from Chechnya to Palestine, evidence of just how misunderstandings have continued and escalated, Charles said. Violence, so often justified in the name of religion, affects a terrible hardening of hearts. What good can possibly come of all this? he asked. Charles arrived in Egypt on Monday at the start of a two-week tour also taking him and his wife Camilla to Saudi Arabia and India, amid controversy over Al-Azhar s decision to award him the honorary degree. All that Prince Charles has done is say that Islam is the most widespread religion in the world and that s a reality, not a discovery made by the prince, Al-Azhar lecturer in Arab literature Abdel Azim Al-Mataanni told AFP. Earlier, Prince Charles toured Al-Azhar University and met with an Anglican exchange student. Charles was also expected to briefly attend a seminar with business leaders on the challenge of matching academic study to employment opportunities and then to meet President Hosni Mubarak. The trip is the second abroad by Charles and his second wife, known officially as the Duchess of Cornwall, since their marriage in April 2005, following a visit to the United States in November. The couple will spend three days in Cairo, then head to a desert oasis town before laying a wreath at the Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery at El Alamein, the site of a major World War II battle in 1942. The tour s key themes are promoting better understanding and tolerance between faiths, supporting environmental and conservation initiatives and encouraging sustainable employment and training opportunities for young people. Britain s Foreign Office currently warns of a high threat of terrorism in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. AFP
Charles blasts cartoon violence in appeal for tolerance
