The republication of Danish cartoons - including one depicting the Prophet Mohammed with a bomb in his turban - in major newspapers in France, have outraged Muslims and resulted in violent backlash against Denmark. British Media have shown remarkable constraint in not reprinting the cartoons, most papers focussing instead on the Muslim protests across the Globe.

Islamic political party Hizb ut-Tahrir said that "the reprinting of the caricatures in the name of "freedom of speech" has once again illustrated that the "war on terror" means it is open season on Muslims and Islam."

"Western governments hold aloft the banner of "freedom of speech" when it comes to insulting Muslims and Islam, yet attempt to silence through fear, intimidation and draconian legislation, Muslims who criticise Western foreign policy or adhere to the Islamic injunctions on dress."

Dr Imran Waheed, a media representative of Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain, said, "Muslims do not fear debate. Although we are ready to hear and respond to criticism, we will not remain silent over cheap insults in the name of 'freedom of speech'."

The Muslim Council of Britain strongly "deplored the continuing refusal of newspapers in Denmark and Norway to apologise for printing a series of sacrilegious cartoons vilifying the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)."

"These newspapers have printed extremely offensive caricatures of the beloved Prophet of Islam and this case, worryingly, reflects the emergence of an increasingly xenophobic tone being adopted towards Muslims in parts of the Western media. Newspaper editors must exercise due care and restraint when dealing with issues like this."

"Muslims respect and love the Prophet as being dearer to them than their own families. We should not allow our valued freedoms in Europe to be abused by those deliberately seeking to provoke hatred and division between communities," said Sir Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain.

At the same time, the MCB regarded the violent threats made against Danish and EU citizens by some groups in the Muslim world as completely unacceptable and displaying an utter disregard of basic Islamic injunctions on how to resolve disagreements and differences.

The MCB acknowledged the fundamental right of peoples of all faiths to freedom of speech and expression. This does not mean however that they should be free to create social unrest and instability. Neither should that freedom be abused to undermine national interests at home and abroad.

"Inevitably some elements may seek to exploit this current crisis to provoke negative or extreme reactions among Muslims. The MCB urges fellow British Muslims to exercise the utmost restraint in the face of these provocations."

"There may be elements that would want to exploit the genuine sense of anguish and hurt among British Muslims about the manner in which the Prophet has been vilified to pursue their own mischievous agenda. We would caution all British Muslims to not allow themselves to be provoked. They should respond peacefully and with dignity at all times," added Sir Iqbal.

MCB MEETS WITH DANISH AMBASSADOR

A top-level delegation, headed by Sir Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary General of the MCB and Dr Daud Abdullah, Assistant Secretary General, met with the Danish Ambassador in the UK on Monday 30 January 2006. The meeting which lasted for just over an hour was urgently convened to discuss the international crisis caused by the publication in Denmark of caricatures of the holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. The cartoons were commissioned by the editor of the Danish paper 'Jyllands-Posten' and first published in September 2005.

The MCB delegation conveyed to the Ambassador the profound anguish and resentment caused by the offensive cartoons. They pointed out that a full and unambiguous apology from the Danish government would help to diffuse the crisis and start the healing process.

The Ambassador reiterated his government’s contrition over the matter but noted they were unable to apologise on behalf of the newspaper involved. He welcomed a suggestion from the MCB to consider measures to prevent the publication of such offensive material in future.

As a practical measure the MCB delegation suggested that the Danish Government intensifies its efforts to work with the leadership of the Muslim community in its country. And that it also engages more vigorously with the media (especially the satellite TV outlets) in the Arab world where the boycott has been particularly damaging.

Top