RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has condemned blasphemous caricatures of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and attempts to connect Islam with terrorism but did not echo calls by other Muslim states for action against cartoons being displayed in France.
Five years ago, the blasphemous caricatures depicting Prophet (PBUH) were first published by a French satirical magazine, whose editorial offices were attacked by gunmen in 2015, killing 12 people.
Since the beheading of the teacher this month, the blasphemous sketches have been displayed in France in solidarity, angering some Muslims.
Turkey’s leader has called for a boycott of French goods and Pakistan’s parliament has passed a resolution urging the government to recall its envoy from Paris.
Saudi foreign ministry official said in a statement that the Gulf state condemns all acts of terrorism, an apparent reference to the beheading of a Paris teacher who showed the blasphemous sketches in a class on freedom of speech.
The statement further said, “Freedom of expression and culture should be a flare of respect, tolerance and peace that turned downs practices and acts which generate hatred, violence and extremism and are contrary to coexistence.”
Daily Arab News cited the head of the Saudi-based Muslim World League, Mohammed Al Issa, as cautioning that an overreaction “that is negative and goes beyond what is acceptable” would only benefit “haters”.
An informal boycott has gained momentum with Saudi businessmen and retailers calling for a ban on Turkish imports due to political tensions between the two countries. The Saudi government, however, has said authorities have not placed any restrictions on Turkish goods.
On October 25, Prime Minister Imran Khan lashed out at the French President Emmanuel Macron over his anti-Muslim attitude, criticizing him for hurting the sentiments of millions of Muslims across the globe.
In a series of tweets, the prime minister, while presenting examples of the iconic leader Nelson Mandela, said that this is a time when President Macron could have put the healing touch and denied space to extremists rather than “creating further polarisation and marginalization that inevitably leads to radicalization”.
“It is unfortunate that he has chosen to encourage Islamophobia by attacking Islam rather than the terrorists who carry out violence, be it Muslims, White Supremacists or Nazi ideologists”, he said.
Sadly, President Macron has chosen to deliberately provoke Muslims, incl his own citizens, through encouraging the display of blasphemous cartoons targeting Islam and our Prophet (PBUH), the premier added.
The French president is being criticized with protests breaking out in several cities across the world after Macron accused Muslims of separatism and vowed not to give up cartoons depicting the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Turkish President Erdogan earlier lashed out at the French president, suggesting that he required “mental treatment”.
