Criticism of ‘offensive Prophet cartoon’ continues

AMMAN — Political parties on Thursday condemned the publishing of a cartoon deemed “offensive” to Prophet Mohammad by French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

The Popular Democratic Movement Party said the move reflects an insistence on harming the feelings of Arabs and Muslims, noting that it will exacerbate the tension already present between Muslim peoples and the West over its unfair policies towards the “Arab and Muslim nation”, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The latest edition of Charlie Hebdo that went on sale on Wednesday features an “insulting” cartoon of Prophet Mohammad and mocks the Islamist gunmen who murdered many of its staff last week, according to news reports.

Twelve people, including two police officers, were killed in the attack.

Also on Thursday, the Muslim Brotherhood denounced the act of “abusing Prophet Mohammad”, and condemned the frequent connection of Islam to terrorism. 

The group also called for respecting Muslim peoples’ will, and refusing any foreign intervention in the affairs of the Arab and Muslim worlds. 

The Islamic Centrist Party on Wednesday said it opposes any form of terrorism, regardless of its motivation, noting that it supports the practice of freedom of expression which respects others’ dignity and does not offend their beliefs and revered symbols, Petra reported.

Stressing that Islam condemns the killing of innocent people, the party also criticised acts that offend any prophet or faith.

Also commenting on the cartoons, Deputy Munir Zawaideh called for introducing international laws that criminalise offending people’s religious beliefs.

“France and Charlie Hebdo should not have lost the world’s sympathy at a time when we are all working to bring peoples together and respect everyone’s religious beliefs,” Petra quoted Zawaideh as saying.

The MP also expressed his rejection of any “irresponsible reactions” that create more hatred and distrust among nations and followers of different faiths.

On Thursday, several lawyers protested against the cartoon in Zarqa. 

During a sit-in, staged in front of the palace of justice, lawyers said the publication of the offensive cartoon harms Islam and Muslims, who represent 1.5 billion of the world’s population, Petra reported.

They noted that the action further incites terrorism while international efforts are under way to combat extremism and terrorist groups that harm humanity.