Study Cites Increasing Islamic Influence in UNESCO

A study issued here by the Institute of Jewish Affairs, the research arm of the World Jewish Congress, detects a “steadily increasing influence of the representatives of Islam” at UNESCO and warns of likely Arab efforts to place Jerusalem on the “danger list” of world heritage at the next session of the United Nations body.

The study surveys developments at the recently concluded session of UNESCO’s General Conference in Belgrade. In examining decisions taken at the General Conference, the study finds disturbing trends pointing to increasing use of UNESCO as “a forum for parading contentious and partisan views about Israel and Zionism.”

Evidence is cited showing a pronounced preoccupation with Islamic, concerns and aspirations at the General Conference. On the Initiative of the Director General, celebrations were changed on the occasion of “Hijra” (the anniversary of Muhammad’s pilgrimage to Mecca). In another instance, all meetings were suspended for a day so as to enable participants to observe the Moslem festival of “Al Adha.”

A PARTICULARLY SERIOUS CONCERN

Of particularly serious concern, however. was the decision to establish formal relations with the Islamic States Broadcasting Services Organization. (ISBO) which, the report notes, “aims, among other things, to make programs for broadcasting that are anti-Zionist and even anti-Semitic.”

ISBO, created by the Organization of the Islamic Conference based in Saudi Arabia, describes itself as an agency which seeks “to propagate the call of Islam” through the production and exchange of broadcasting and television programs. But documentation provided by ISBO to UNESCO reveals its dissemination of programs of a politically acerbic nature and smacking of religious incitement.

The stated purpose of one such program dealing with “oppression” of Muslim communities, was “to confront the doctrinal zionist (sic), racial and colonialist danger threatening the Arab nation.” Another production, a radio program, is described by ISBO as “the story of … the six companions of Prophet Muhammad who defended Islam against the conspiracies of the Jews.”

CRITICISM IS CONTRADICTED

UNESCO’s flirtation with ISBO is seen as symptomatic of the same political attitude that the UN specialized agency has adopted regarding Jerusalem. The survey examines recent UNESCO criticism of Israeli excavations in Jerusalem and shows that this criticism in no way accords with independent expert archaeological opinion.

Pointedly, such criticism is in contradiction with the findings of the personal representative of the UNESCO Director General, Prof. Jacques Lemaire, who concluded after a visit to Jerusalem that the archaeological excavations being carried out were “in accordance with current methods and rules.” Lemaire also found no evidence to support the Jordanian representative’s claim that the character of Moslem cemeteries next to the old wall of Jerusalem had been altered.