Another wave of protests is expected to sweep the Arab and Islamic world after a French weekly magazine published offensive cartoons of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on Wednesday.
The move by “Charlie Hebdo” to publish the cartoons, in spite of several calls from political and religious sides to avoid another round of protests and violence that seen the killing of the US ambassador to Libya and other acts of violence where more than 30 people died in demonstrations, risks exacerbating a crisis still raging because of the US-made video. Nabil Al–Araby, Arab League secretary general, urged Muslims everywhere to demonstrate their rejection of the cartoons in a peaceful way and to control themselves.
He described the cartoons as outrageous. A statement by the Arab League called for understanding and respect among cultures.
Meanwhile, Dalil Boubakeur, Mufti and rector of Paris Grand Mosque, appealed for French Muslims to respond peacefully, as did the French Muslim Council, the main Islamic body in France.
The Council accused the weekly Charlie Hebdo of fueling anti-Muslim sentiment at a sensitive time. Mohammad Moussaoui, president of the Council, defended the right to freedom of expression, “but freedom endangers itself if it forgets fraternity and respect for everyone’s equal right to dignity,” he said, describing the cartoons as unjust and “Islamophobic.” Moussaoui called the French Muslim community to “rise above their anger and not give in to provocation.”
Abdullah Zekri, president of the Anti-Islamophobia Observatory in Paris said his group is considering filing a lawsuit against the weekly magazine.
While there were no reports of any violent reactions on the streets of France, one person was hurt when two masked men threw an explosive device through the window of a kosher supermarket. Police said it is early to link this action to the cartoons. The French government announced it was shutting embassies in 20 Muslim countries on Friday and has increased security around its embassies elsewhere as a preventive measure.
Meanwhile, French Prime Minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, condemned the publication of the cartoons and asked all parties concerned to act responsibly.
French cartoons threaten to fuel more anger around the world
