Magazinet editor Vebjørn Selbekk apologized for the publication of the caricatures of Mohammed on Friday, coming to a peaceful understanding with Mohamed Hamdan, leader of the Islamic Council Norway, which encompasses 46 Muslim organizations. This event was the result of a week of intense negotiations brokered by Christian Democrat Party (Kr.F) leader Høybråten and Ali Khan as contact person to the Muslim community.
Both Magazinet and Islamic Council sources confirmed to Aftenposten that Khan, who is also leader of the Kashmiri Council in Scandinavia, was a vital link.
On Tuesday Selbekk and associate Vegard Kobberdal contacted Khan, who in turn contacted persons from the Islamic Council who had previously tried to approach Magazinet for discussions, and a meeting resulted.
Both sides were willing to use Kr.F leader Høybråten as a mediator. Khan had known Høybråten for years and had worked to help bring immigrant voters to the Kr.F, and he brought the politician into the talks.
"Dagfinn Høybråten has had contacts among Muslims for many years. He is a man of faith and understands both sides. Therefore he was able to mediate very properly and wisely," Khan said.
On Wednesday the first face-to-face meeting took place between Selbekk and Hamdan, with Høybråten and Ali Khan present.
The rapport between Selbekk and Hamdan was reportedly good from the very start. Selbekk is to have expressed his fear for what the future could bring for immigrants in Norway, and said that he did not want to be a damaging factor. Hamdan reacted positively to this sentiment, and discussions began in earnest. Both sides were intent on finding an amicable solution, but not at any price.
Taking care to maintain an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding, the two sides continued discussions and came to an agreement late on Thursday. The Islamic Council managed to mobilize the vast majority of Muslim Norway behind an acceptance of the apology offered by editor Selbekk.
The reconciliation between the sides in Norway may attract international notice.
Imam Mehboob-ur-Rehman was one of 15 imams in Norway extremely pleased by the turn of events, and applauded Selbekk's decision to apologize for the reproduction of the Mohammed caricatures.
"The Magazinet editor is brave to apologize," ur-Rehman said.
Hamdan referred to the Koran when praising the status of one who regrets, and said that from now, anyone who clashed with Selbekk or his family, also clashed with Muslims.
The announcement of the apology and reconciliation was made at a hastily called press conference by Minister of Labor and Social Inclusion Bjarne Håkon Hanssen on Friday morning.
Dagfinn Høybråten explained that the conference was hurried since the talks lasted well into the night before and they wanted the announcement to be made before Friday prayers.
