Abdullah Tammi, spokesman for the Finnish Islamic Party that he founded, announced on Saturday that he resigned from the party chair. There was a dispute between Tammi and other party leaders over the position Tammi took against terrorism.
Tammi was in news conference in early December where he stressed the non-violent nature of Islam and condemned terrorism in the strongest of terms. In particular, he focused on speaking of the situation in Chechnya. In addition to the press conference, Tammi presented their views in online videos on YouTube.
Party member of the board, Sauli Ingman, confirms Tammi’s resignation due to the dispute was linked to the news conference.
“The news conference was a shade too simplistic. Tammi condemned terrorism in Chechnya, but not the Russian state terrorism in Chechnya.
He also did not reveal the causes of terrorism. Such a unilateral condemnation of terrorism attracted criticism from the government,” (FIP’s) Ingman says.
“The party itself does not support terrorism, but it should be treated equally and not only condemn private, but include state terrorism as well.”
Tammi also announced Saturday his intention to establish a new party, the Socialist Party of Peace, which does not highlight any religious affiliation.