Brazilian Journalist: Brazil Enthusiastic about Islam

Editor-in-chief of the Brazilian daily Folha says that his fello countrymen are so keen to know more about Islam and its teachings. "If you tell a Brazilian that you are a Muslim, he/she shows tremendous enthusiasm to become acquainted with your religion for Brazilians are very open-minded and welcome new ideas," Samy Adghirni told IQNA correspondent at Tehran 16th International Press Festival. Adghirni boasted that in Brazil, contrary to Europe where raising questions about certain matters is considered as a taboo, people enjoy freedom of expression in a real sense. "That's why followers of different religions including Islam are free to promulgate their beliefs." He touched on the controversy of the blasphemous cartoons against the Prophet Mohammad which was first published by the Danish daily Jyllands-Postensome and later on by some other western media in 2005 and said in that time a prominent Jewish leader wrote an article in a Brazilian major newspaper in a bid to support Muslims for their reactions to the issue and condemned the heinous act. The Muslim editor cited intellectual and journalistic independence and avoiding media bias as basic principles in his paper adding that when it comes to Islam and other religions we try to put aside any irrational prejudice. Adghirni expressed satisfaction at participation in Tehran's Festival and called for more cooperation between Iranian and Brazilian media in all fields. The 16th International Press Festival is now underway in Tehran with more than 30 foreign newspapers and news agencies along with local media. Reproduction of this article is permitted provided reference is made to the source

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