BERLIN,
May 25, 2006 (IslamOnline.net) – With right-wing groups charging
batteries to provoke Muslim teams taking part in the FIFA World Cup,
to kick off on June 9, Muslim fans are urged not to fall into the trap
and to serve as an example.
A
German Muslim website has exhorted Muslim football supporters to take
into their strides provocations by right-wingers.
"Muslim
fans should give an example of Muslim behavior and enjoy the contests
no matter what the results are," wrote the muslimmarkt website.
The
website urged Muslim fans to report any law violations to the police.
"The
far right-wingers are out to provoke the fans to cause riots,
particularly during the matches of the Iranian team."
T-shirts
emblazoned with anti-Muslim slurs are already been circulated by far
rightists.
One
of these T-shirts reads "Islamophobic And Proud Of It".
The
football gala runs from June 9h
through July 9 with 32 teams competing for the prestigious trophy.
Anti-Iran
Days
before the world event, German right-wing groups have already
mobilized to harass Muslim teams in the Mondial.
The
Iranians are the main focus of the campaign.
Right-wing
groups are encouraging supporters to flock to Iran's matches and use
Israeli flags in supporting any team playing against the Islamic
republic.
Israeli
flags are being delivered to the homes of those interested at 25 euros
per piece.
Iran
plays in Group D with Mexico, Angola and Portugal.
The
team will have its first encounter against Mexico on June 11.
Other
Muslim teams taking part in the competition are Saudi Arabia and
Tunisia.
Anti-Racism
Day
Meanwhile,
FIFA has set plans to stage an anti-racism day during the World Cup to
demonstrate opposition to racism and discrimination.
The
action, coordinated with the tournament's organizing committee, will
take place during the quarter-finals on June 30 and July 1.
Television
ads and a huge round banner draped over the center circle at each of
the 12 World Cup stadiums are also planned as part of the anti-racism
campaign.
Bearing
the World Cup motto "A Time to Make Friends," the World Cup
logo "Germany 2006" and the slogan "Say No to
Racism," the banners will be displayed at each of the 64 matches
until shortly before kick-off.
"The
aim is to send a clear message to the world against racism," the
organizing committee said.
Germany
has been a scene of a spate of race-related attacks in the run-up to
the World Cup, raising concern of violence and intolerance during the
world gala.
In
the latest incident a politician of Turkish origin was beaten and
slashed with a broken bottle in Lichtenberg, a suburb of Berlin known
as a neo-Nazi stronghold, at the weekend.
