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Peter Robinson 'did not mean to insult Muslim community' Peter Robinson 'did not mean to insult Muslim community'
(35 minutes later)
First Minister Peter Robinson has said he would never "want to insult or cause distress" to Muslims in Northern Ireland.First Minister Peter Robinson has said he would never "want to insult or cause distress" to Muslims in Northern Ireland.
The DUP leader said comments he made in support of remarks by a pastor about Muslims were "misinterpreted".The DUP leader said comments he made in support of remarks by a pastor about Muslims were "misinterpreted".
Mr Robinson had told the Irish News on Wednesday he would not trust Muslims involved in violence or devotees of Sharia law.Mr Robinson had told the Irish News on Wednesday he would not trust Muslims involved in violence or devotees of Sharia law.
But he said he would "trust them to go to the shops" for him.But he said he would "trust them to go to the shops" for him.
'Ongoing support''Ongoing support'
However, on Thursday he said his remarks had been "given a meaning that was never intended".However, on Thursday he said his remarks had been "given a meaning that was never intended".
"For the avoidance of any doubt, I make it clear that I welcome the contribution made by all communities in Northern Ireland, and in the particular circumstances, the Muslim community," he said."For the avoidance of any doubt, I make it clear that I welcome the contribution made by all communities in Northern Ireland, and in the particular circumstances, the Muslim community," he said.
"I very much value their contribution at every level to our society and I will take the opportunity to meet with local Muslim leaders to demonstrate my ongoing support for them as integral law abiding citizens in Northern Ireland.""I very much value their contribution at every level to our society and I will take the opportunity to meet with local Muslim leaders to demonstrate my ongoing support for them as integral law abiding citizens in Northern Ireland."
Mr Robinson's remarks to the newspaper have been widely condemned by the Muslim community across the UK and by many Northern Ireland politicians. Mr Robinson's remarks to the Irish News have been widely condemned by the Muslim community across the UK and by many Northern Ireland politicians.
Alliance Party assembly member Anna Lo, who was born in China but has lived in Northern Ireland for 40 years, said she was considering leaving the country following Mr McConnell's remarks as she did not feel safe. The first minister had told the paper it was a duty of any preacher to denounce what he described as "false prophesy".
He went on to say that he would not trust Muslims either, particularly with regard to those who had been involved in violence, or those who are "fully devoted to Sharia law, I wouldn't trust them for spiritual guidance".
However, Mr Robinson said he would trust Muslims to "go down to the shops" for him or to deal with a number of other "day to day issues".
Alliance Party assembly member Anna Lo, who was born in China but has lived in Northern Ireland for 40 years, said she was considering leaving the country after what Mr Robinson had said, as the comments could "escalate even more of the racist tension".
The initial controversy came about when Pastor James McConnell of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in north Belfast, described Islam as "heathen" and "satanic", and said he did not trust Muslims.The initial controversy came about when Pastor James McConnell of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in north Belfast, described Islam as "heathen" and "satanic", and said he did not trust Muslims.
When Mr Robinson was asked about Mr McConnell's remarks, he told the newspaper it was a duty of any preacher to denounce what he described as "false prophesy". Police said they were investigating "a hate crime motive" after complaints about Mr McConnell's remarks.
In his statement on Wednesday, Mr Robinson said: "I strongly believe that Pastor James McConnell has the right to freedom of speech.In his statement on Wednesday, Mr Robinson said: "I strongly believe that Pastor James McConnell has the right to freedom of speech.
"I will defend his right just as I defend the right of others to express views with which I disagree."I will defend his right just as I defend the right of others to express views with which I disagree.
"People have the right to express their differing views and indeed the essence of democracy is the ability to do so in a way that is free from fear and intimidation.""People have the right to express their differing views and indeed the essence of democracy is the ability to do so in a way that is free from fear and intimidation."
Mr Robinson added: "No part of me would want to insult or cause distress to local Muslims.Mr Robinson added: "No part of me would want to insult or cause distress to local Muslims.
"I can assure members of the Islamic community I respect their contribution to our society."I can assure members of the Islamic community I respect their contribution to our society.
"I believe in building a peaceful and prosperous Northern Ireland and have always endeavoured to work for the betterment of all the people of Northern Ireland."I believe in building a peaceful and prosperous Northern Ireland and have always endeavoured to work for the betterment of all the people of Northern Ireland.
"I look forward to meeting with representatives of the Muslim community as soon as it can be arranged.""I look forward to meeting with representatives of the Muslim community as soon as it can be arranged."