The Jewish Daily Forward: The president of the representative body of France’s Jewish communities has condemned the new publication of caricatures of the Muslim prophet Muhammad.
The publication Wednesday of the caricatures in the French weekly Charlie Hebdo “in the current context” is “irresponsible,” Dr. Richard Prasquier, the president of the Jewish umbrella body CRIF, said in a statement.
The weekly published the caricatures in a defiant move it said was meant to celebrate freedom of speech after deadly riots that broke out in Muslim countries over the recent release of an anti-Muslim film titled “the Innocence of Muslims.”
The front page cartoon of Charlie Hebdo showed an ultra-Orthodox Jew and a Muslim saying: “No mocking.” It was titled “Untouchables 2,” a reference to a French film.
“Considering the fatalities [in riots connected with the film] we disapprove of the initiative of Charlie Hebdo,” Prasquier added. “The critics of religion must themselves heed criticism – not of their principles but of the timing of their actions.”
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius criticized the publication as a provocation and said he had ordered security beefed up at French diplomatic offices in the Muslim world.
Categories: Arab World, Europe, France, Interfaith tolerance, Intra-Religious Tolerance, Israel, Middle East
We want to thank the Jewish community in France for their solidarity with Muslims against this un-necessary provocation by Charlie Hebdo. Not only the timing is lousy yet intentional, it does not serve the purpose of a peaceful living, harmony in the society and interfaith co-operation.
The cartoons could damage President Hollandes image in Muslim countries, France’s involvement in peace keeping missions and the living conditions of all Muslims in the EU.
We appeal to the French politicians and decision makers, to not let the concept of Freedom of Expression ruin the relationship between ethnic and religious minorities and the majority. Freedom of Expression is holy for France but so is the sanctity of the Prophet for Muslims.
Kind regards
Bashy Quraishy
Secretary General – EMISCO -European Muslim Initiative for Social Cohesion Strasbourg/Copenhagen
Chair-Advisory Council-ENAR – Brussels
Chair-Jewish Muslim Co-operation Platform – Brussels
Mobile; 0045 40 15 47 71
Phone; 0045 38 88 19 77
http://www.bashy.dk