The International Association of Islamic Scholars (IAIS) condemned the publication by the French magazine, Charlie Hebdo, of cartoons and a comic book ridiculing the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
In a statement released to the media, IAIS expressed concern about the magazine's conduct. It said the magazine's behavior violated basic international norms. It also said that the publication of such offensive content violates the concept of dialog among religions.
It also contended that the incitement of hatred and extremism through the media does not constitute freedom of expression and violates the international law of human rights.
The commission called on the United Nations and the international community to take necessary steps to stop such offensive acts.
It stressed the importance of having an international convention that criminalizes the mockery of others' religions and their sacred symbols.
It called on the Islamic world not to react to such offensive acts and to express peacefully their rejection of the cartoons.
Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu expressed earlier this week his concern at the publication of a comic book as part of a series on the life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) by the French tabloid.
The secretary-general said the publication of the series violated the norms of responsible journalism. He added that incitement and advocacy of hatred and intolerance on religious grounds, as practiced by Charlie Hebdo, was in contravention of international human rights laws and instruments.
Ihsanoglu reiterated that Charlie Hebdo should abide by the provisions, particularly in the European Union (EU) context, on incitement of hatred and violence. He urged French authorities to take appropriate action against the magazine.
He called on Muslims all over the world to exercise restraint in the face of this act of incitement. The secretary-general reiterated OIC’s principled position on developing an international consensus on dealing with a frequency of deliberate acts of incitement, within the framework of the Human Rights Council Resolution 16/18.
Islamic scholars' group slams French magazine
