Protests Continue over Publication of Caricatures of Prophet
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 3 -- Protests continue to be voiced in Malaysia over the publication of cartoons ridiculing Prophet Muhammad in newspapers of several European countries.
Two consumers associations -- the Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam (CASSA) and the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM) -- today called on all Malaysians to boycott Danish products and services.
CASSA President Datuk Jacob George said CASSA recorded its displeasure and protest and joined all peace-loving people in strongly condemning the Danish newspaper's abuse through cartoons ridiculing the Prophet Muhammad.
George said Malaysians who are sensitive, respectful, wise and civilised know that the Islamic tradition bars any depiction of the prophet, favourable or otherwise, adding that "the Danish government owed Muslims of the world an apology".
"One would have expected them to have certain editorial polices that checked on any profanity and insensitiveness against all religions and religious beliefs but here, in this case, they have not and it is pertinent that we tell them of our displeasure at this blatant act which cannot be tolerated," he said.
PPIM Project Coordinator Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin demanded that the Danish government apologise to the Muslims of the world and reiterated a call to the Malaysian government to send a note of protest to the Embassy of Denmark.
He said the association was listing out all Danish products sold in Malaysia, mostly diary products such as cheese, butter and milk, that could be boycotted by the people. These incude Arla Foods, Lurpak butter, Danish butter cookies, Carlsberg beer and Bang & Olufsen hi-fi equipment.
Noor Nirwandy said that as chair of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), Malaysia had the responsibility to fight against any act considered as an insult to the prophet and Islam.
The Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) suggested that Malaysia conduct courses for all officials of foreign embassies in the country on Islam and its sensitivities.
Its president, Yusri Mohamad, said the Embassy of Denmark should also apologise to the Malaysian government.
The Malaysian National Association of Muslim Students (PKPIM) called on Malaysians to launch protests and boycott the products of the European countries that had ridiculed the prophet. A magazine in Norway is also said to have published such caricatures of the prophet.
PKPIM Secretary-General Mohd Hilmi Ramli said the people could protest by sending memorandums to the embassies of Denmark and Norway.
Blogger Azlan Adnan who was the first Malaysian to call for the boycott on 28 January 2006, said fellow Muslims are free people with independent minds and are within their legal and democratic rights not to purchase goods from Denmark, Norway and France, should they choose, on their own free will, not to do so.
The Danes, Norwegians and French should grow up and accept the consequences of Jyllands-Posten's, Magazinet's and France Soir's publication of the blasphemous caricatures. Muslims cannot be held responsible for the financial losses these publications have brought upon their fellow countrymen.
Danish diary producer Arla Foods has estimated between £40 and £50 millions in lost business since the boycott started and has had to lay off 170 employees throughout Denmark.
Azlan Adnan also said that this was an opportunity for peace-loving Malaysians to protest in a civilised manner unlike the hot-headed Indons and Arabs who have taken to the streets and turned violent. Islam means "surrender to peace". Resorting to violence and anger is clearly un-Islamic, he elaborated.
Copyright 2003-2006 Azlan Adnan Legal Notice
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