ASJA condemns Danish cartoons

Muslims worldwide have criticised the publication of cartoons in the Danish newspaper Jyllands Posten on September 30. The cartoons included an image of the Prophet, with a turban-like headwear shaped like a bomb. They were republished in French, Italian, German, Spanish and Belgium newspapers.

In a media release yesterday, ASJA president general Yacoob Ali said, "this insensitivity by those who have carried out this act of sacrilege is strongly resented and condemned." He urged restraint by Muslim brothers and sisters worldwide, and called for those who did not understand the serious damage caused to show sincere remorse.

"Press freedom must have its limits and certainly the media involved has breached the normal protocols of respect for religious faiths."

Ali said the situation has only provoked the present trends which indicate the "calculated adversity, aversion and assault on the faith and religion of Islam which can do no one any good."

Although the Danish paper apologised on Tuesday, the cartoons have sparked protests in Indonesia, Iraq, Egypt and Turkey. Muslims stormed the Danish embassy in Indonesia.