Welcome
Foreign Minister Westerwelle condemns fatwa against Hamed Abdel-Samad
In Egypt, a fatwa has been issued against German author Hamed Abdel-Samad. Foreign Minister Westerwelle expects the Egyptian Government to take action against those behind the threats. The Federal Foreign Office has offered Mr Abdel-Samad its assistance.
A fatwa calling for the death of German author Hamed Abdel-Samad has been declared in Egypt after statements he made were televised. Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle condemns the death threat. The Federal Foreign Office is in touch with Mr Abdel-Samad.
Foreign Minister Westerwelle issued the following statement on the matter today:
I condemn the fatwa against author Hamed Abdel-Samad in the strongest terms. I am seriously concerned for his safety and expect the Egyptian Government to prevent any further calls to violence and to take firm action against the originators of this fatwa.
The Federal Foreign Office is in direct contact with Mr Abdel-Samad and has offered him concrete assistance.
Background information
Hamed Abdel-Samad is a German author who has published several books in recent years in which he undertakes a critical examination of Islam. After he gave a speech in Cairo last week, some of Mr Abdel-Samad’s utterances were picked up on by Egyptian television. An Islamist party spokesman and a professor at Al-Azhar University issued a fatwa calling for Mr Abdel-Samad to be killed.
