Rael supports Norwegian minister’s decision to ban new mosques financed with Saudi money
LAS VEGAS, Dec. 15 – Rael, founder and leader of the Raelian Movement, today expressed his support to Jonas Gahr Store, Norway’s minister of foreign affairs, after Store rejected a proposal made by the Saudi government and wealthy private entrepreneurs to finance and construct mosques in Norway.
(In compliance with Norwegian law, foreign countries are permitted to provide financial support for religious communities within Norway. Nevertheless, given the importance of these sums, the government must approve such financing in advance.)
“Minister Store is 100 percent correct,” Rael commented, referring to Store’s decision. “All non-Islamic countries of the world should do the same thing: ask Islamic countries to authorize the building of churches, grant the right to apostatize from Islam and the right to convert to Christianity or any other religion, and allow Christian missionaries and envoys from other religions to work there. As long as they refuse these rights, no new mosques should be built anywhere else in the world.”
Rael added that this principle should also apply to synagogues.
“As long as Israel doesn't authorize missionaries of other religions to work toward converting Jews, no other countries should allow the building of synagogues. We must remember that it is presently forbidden by Israeli law to spread other religions or to try to convert Jews.”
In refusing the Saudi request, the Norwegian foreign ministry’s reply to the Islamic Center Tawfiiq (the promoter) included the statement, “It would be paradoxical and unnatural to accept funds from a country that does not accept religious freedom.”
In explaining the decision, Store said, “We could simply have said no, the ministry does not approve, but we took the opportunity to add that approval would be paradoxical when it is a crime to establish a Christian community in Saudi Arabia.”
(In compliance with Norwegian law, foreign countries are permitted to provide financial support for religious communities within Norway. Nevertheless, given the importance of these sums, the government must approve such financing in advance.)
“Minister Store is 100 percent correct,” Rael commented, referring to Store’s decision. “All non-Islamic countries of the world should do the same thing: ask Islamic countries to authorize the building of churches, grant the right to apostatize from Islam and the right to convert to Christianity or any other religion, and allow Christian missionaries and envoys from other religions to work there. As long as they refuse these rights, no new mosques should be built anywhere else in the world.”
Rael added that this principle should also apply to synagogues.
“As long as Israel doesn't authorize missionaries of other religions to work toward converting Jews, no other countries should allow the building of synagogues. We must remember that it is presently forbidden by Israeli law to spread other religions or to try to convert Jews.”
In refusing the Saudi request, the Norwegian foreign ministry’s reply to the Islamic Center Tawfiiq (the promoter) included the statement, “It would be paradoxical and unnatural to accept funds from a country that does not accept religious freedom.”
In explaining the decision, Store said, “We could simply have said no, the ministry does not approve, but we took the opportunity to add that approval would be paradoxical when it is a crime to establish a Christian community in Saudi Arabia.”
 | Thursday 16 December 2010 |  |  |