"We believe we have control," J?rn Holme, who heads the equivalent of N

The umbrella organization for Islamic groups in Norway, (Islamsk R?d Norge, IRN), said Friday it would help Norwegian officials calm down a diplomatic crisis over offensive cartoons by contacting Muslim leaders and scholars and Arab media.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr St?re welcomed the help from the IRN, which represents around 25 Islamic groups in Norway.

Gahr St?re met Friday with leaders of the IRN (Islamic Council Norway) to discuss the situation that's led to the burning of the Norwegian flag in Gaza, potentially violent demonstrations by Muslim activists from Darfur to Jakarta and threats against Norwegians.

Gahr St?re said he learned that Islamic scholars can have huge influence worldwide, and that the local Muslim community's network can be a big help in getting across Norwegian foreign policy.

He called Norway's Muslim leaders "an unused resource" that "can open new doors and new possibilities. We gladly accept the help of the Muslim leaders in Norway."

Islamic initiative
The meeting with Gahr St?re came at the initiative of the IRN. "We're glad he could receive us on so short notice," said IRN leader Mohammad Hamdan. "We want to live in peace here in the country. We are Norwegian ourselves and we are Muslims, and we want our children to grow up in a peaceful environment.

"That's why we wanted to help Norway in this situation. We know how to reach people in the Muslim world."

Gahr St?re repeated the official Norwegian apology for the reaction that's come after cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed were published, and stressed that the Norwegian government wasn't behind their publication.

Apology accepted
"We have said we're satisfied with the apology from the government and can't ask for more," said Hamdan. "The government doesn't have any control over the magazine."

The IRN already has condemned the burning of the Norwegian flag in Gaza earlier this week, and stated that it distances itself from any use of violence or threats.

"Muslims in Norway have been feeling offended twice in this case," IRN wrote in a statement, "first through the caricatures and then when the Norwegian flag was burned."

The group stressed that the conflict was "created" by the Christian publication Magazinet in Norway, and that it must also contribute to a resolution (of the conflict) "by apologizing for the publication of the drawings."

IRN said it wanted to cooperate with everyone working towards a solution "and we're doing everything in our power" to prevent Norway from being subjected to protest actions.

Aftenposten English Web Desk
Nina Berglund

So now all we have to worry about are the hordes of people burning badly colored versions of our flags on the streets.

I'm chillin'.

they started burning the british flag yet..??

No. Your comics are much too great.