MP says few Muslims share views with Usmani

Social Democratic Alliance MP Ása Berglind Hjálmarsdóttir says few Muslims in Iceland have much in common with Pakistani religious leader Muhammad Taqi Usmani. She condemned violence and oppression in comments to mbl.is after Usmani gave a lecture at the Grand Mosque in Reykjavik.

Ása said she first heard of Usmani when she saw a Facebook post by Elliði Vignisson, mayor of Ölfus. Elliði criticised her for not speaking out about Usmani’s views, despite her earlier criticism of remarks Elliði had made about immigrants.

Usmani has defended the death penalty for apostasy, as well as amputations and stoning as punishments under Islamic law. It is not known what he said during his lecture on October 21.

Ása said most Muslims in Iceland are not violent, just as most Christians are not, though individuals who commit violence can be found across religions. “Most people just want to live in peace, whatever they believe in,” she said.

She said efforts to combat violence should not focus on particular groups. Ása has previously spoken in parliament about violence and said violence against women is increasing in Iceland, calling the trend extremely serious. The problem must be addressed regardless of the origins or religion of those involved, she said.

In a Facebook post, Ása accused Elliði of attributing views to her that she does not hold and of fuelling fear and prejudice against a religious group. She said most Muslims have little in common with Usmani, just as Christians should not be held responsible for the views of individual Christian religious leaders. Ása also said she was saddened that Elliði represented the municipality where she lives, where immigrants make up more than a fifth of residents.

In a parliamentary speech on October 21, Ása criticised Elliði’s comments about immigrants and Muslims. She said it should be possible to discuss social problems without casting suspicion on entire religious groups, and referred to provisions in criminal law on hate speech.