VZCZCXRO0422
RR RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHGI RUEHGR RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHMOS
RUEHPW
DE RUEHPO #0081 0391950
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 081950Z FEB 06
FM AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8047
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUCNISL/ISLAMIC COLLECTIVE
RUEHAO/AMCONSUL CURACAO 0949

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000081 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR - LLUFTIG 
PORT OF SPAIN FOR LEGATT 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL SOCI SCUL NS
SUBJECT: SURINAME'S MUSLIM COMMUNITY REACTS PEACEFULLY TO 
DANISH CARTOON CONTROVERSY 
 
REF: SECSTATE 20587 
 
1.(U) Summary. On February 7 the three major Surinamese 
Muslim associations issued a joint press statement 
condemning the publication of Danish political cartoons 
depicting the Prophet Mohamed in European newspapers, while 
at the same time condemned the violent protests that have 
ensued.  The organizations heavily criticized European 
countries as intolerant of other religions and races, and 
pledged to deliberate over the most effective manner of 
peaceful protest. There has been little other public 
reaction in Suriname to the controversy, whose 13.5 percent 
Muslim population per 2004 census is considered moderate. 
Post has seen no evidence of an official Government of 
Suriname (GOS) position or statement on the cartoon 
controversy. End Summary. 
 
¶2. (U) The statement from the Madjilies Moesliemien 
Suriname (MMS), the Verbond (Union) van Islamitische 
Organisaties in Suriname (VIS), and the Surinaamse Moesliem 
Associatie (SMA) was printed/covered in two popular daily 
newspapers, De Ware Tijd and Dagblad Suriname.  The 
statement argues that there is a climate of non-tolerance 
and institutional racism in Europe in which non-whites are 
expected to dress, eat, act, think, and speak like the 
white majority.  The organizations claimed the West often 
has double standards when it comes to freedom of press, and 
that only press criticism against Muslims is tolerated. 
 
¶3. (U) The Muslim associations condemned the violence 
associated with the protests in places such as Syria and 
Lebanon and said this wrongful behavior creates a negative 
image of Islam.  The organizations pledged to deliberate 
over the most effective and peaceful manner to protest the 
issue.  The associations also stated that if international 
organizations, such as the Organization of Islamic 
Conferences (OIC) and the Arab League, call for a 
collective boycott of European goods, they would seriously 
consider joining the international effort.  They would also 
consider joining any proposed push to advise consumers to 
avoid European products by buying goods from the United 
States, Brazil, Venezuela, and Asia. 
 
¶4. (U) Doctor Izaak Jamaludin, president of SMA, reiterated 
the statement's points in a radio interview on February 7. 
He said his association would soon request a meeting of 
Suriname's Inter-Religious Council, in which possible 
sanctions against those countries that are perceived to 
insult Islam will be proposed. Jamaludin emphasized that 
Islam always calls for peace and never for violence. 
 
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COMMENT 
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¶5. (SBU) In light of the peaceful statements made by 
Suriname's major Muslim associations, the absence of an 
official statement by the GOS, and a muted public reaction, 
Post will not deliver the reftel demarche, rather use 
points to respond to any queries. 
 
BARNES