Iraq Press Roundup

The Shiite Al Adala Newspaper carried an editorial Monday titled "Protection of freedom means authority of law."

The paper said because of the situation in the region people have become convinced of the need for a homegrown initiative in order to distribute tolerance and moderation. It said this imitative is to be aimed at terrorists, uncover their religious excuses, and build a moderate Islamic statement that respects human achievements.

"A moderate statement can't be supported without presence of freedom," it said. "The path to real moderation is to widen the circle of freedom because it is the major civilized method to give root to the concept of moderation."

Al Adala, which is run by Iraq's Shiite Deputy President Adil Abdul Mehdi, said the relationship between the concept of freedom and moderation is deep because when freedom is available, it pushes people to forgive and to tolerate.

"Freedom can't be achieved by adapting the statement of radicalism and fanaticism because it deepens the gap between freedom and the society," it said.

It added that the vital way to support moderation is to carry out initiatives that preserve human rights and prevent humiliation and disrespect. It also said freedom's obstacles are solved by protecting freedoms and finding lawful solutions.

It commented that moderation, freedom and authority of law are the essential elements to form societies that are free of chaos and outlaws. The region is seeing the results of radicalism and is trying to achieve peaceful living, it said.

Islam, in this time of history, faces radicalism and sectarian tensions, it said. It said people need to start national, regional and Islamic initiatives that would prevent clashes, sectarian or ethnic tensions.

"Islamic, media and cultural institutions have a great responsibility to change the situation in the region and change the public opinion toward moderation … and eliminate the education of hatred," it said.

It also said that such a campaign would be fruitful and affect positively the present and future of Iraq. There should be a media convention that is obligated to discard the culture of hatred, prevent information that urges hatred, and call for tolerance and respect of human rights, it said.