Cleric calls for Danish newspaper’s closure
Sunni leader wants editor that published Mohammad cartoons jailed
Updated: 2:09 p.m. ET Aug 18, 2006
COPENHAGEN - Egypt’s top Sunni Muslim cleric on Friday called for the editor of Jyllands-Posten, the Danish daily that published cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad, to be imprisoned and for his newspaper to be closed down.
The cartoons were first published in Jyllands-Posten last September and then reprinted by other media in Europe and the United States after Muslim protests began early this year.
“The satirical drawings of the Prophet Mohammad are one of the most serious crimes ever committed. The editor should be imprisoned for one, two or three years,” Grand Sheikh Mohamed Sayed Tantawi told Danish newspaper Berlingske in an interview.
“In addition, one should forbid the paper from being published for a number of years,” he said.
Many Muslims regard any depiction of the Prophet as an offence against their religion.
Denmark’s government declined to apologize for the cartoons, saying the country’s media are free and independent.
Tantawi, the Sheikh of al-Azhar mosque in Cairo, one of the oldest and most revered seats of Islamic learning, said the prophets, Jesus, Moses, Abraham and Mohammad were God’s chosen.
“The West must understand that you can’t treat prophets the same way as presidents or regular people.”
The row over the cartoons sparked attacks on Danish embassies in parts of Asia, Africa and the Middle East in which more than 50 people died.
Jyllands-Posten has expressed regret over the offence that was caused.
Jylland-Posten’s editor Carsten Juste was not immediately available to comment on the interview but Flemming Rose, the paper’s culture editor, told Berlingske Tantawi’s views underlined the need for dialogue.
Cleric calls for Danish newspaper’s closure
Sunni leader wants editor that published Mohammad cartoons jailed
Updated: 2:09 p.m. ET Aug 18, 2006
COPENHAGEN - Egypt’s top Sunni Muslim cleric on Friday called for the editor of Jyllands-Posten, the Danish daily that published cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad, to be imprisoned and for his newspaper to be closed down.
The cartoons were first published in Jyllands-Posten last September and then reprinted by other media in Europe and the United States after Muslim protests began early this year.
“The satirical drawings of the Prophet Mohammad are one of the most serious crimes ever committed. The editor should be imprisoned for one, two or three years,” Grand Sheikh Mohamed Sayed Tantawi told Danish newspaper Berlingske in an interview.
“In addition, one should forbid the paper from being published for a number of years,” he said.
Many Muslims regard any depiction of the Prophet as an offence against their religion.
Denmark’s government declined to apologize for the cartoons, saying the country’s media are free and independent.
Tantawi, the Sheikh of al-Azhar mosque in Cairo, one of the oldest and most revered seats of Islamic learning, said the prophets, Jesus, Moses, Abraham and Mohammad were God’s chosen.
“The West must understand that you can’t treat prophets the same way as presidents or regular people.”
The row over the cartoons sparked attacks on Danish embassies in parts of Asia, Africa and the Middle East in which more than 50 people died.
Jyllands-Posten has expressed regret over the offence that was caused.
Jylland-Posten’s editor Carsten Juste was not immediately available to comment on the interview but Flemming Rose, the paper’s culture editor, told Berlingske Tantawi’s views underlined the need for dialogue.
Copyright 2006 Reuters Limited.
I am sure this cleric would love for me to live in dhimmitude and pay the jizya.
I guess it is beyond his understanding that some people do not view mohammed as a prophet?
[QUOTE=brainiac;456451]... The editor should be imprisoned for one, two or three years,” Grand Sheikh Mohamed Sayed Tantawi told Danish newspaper Berlingske in an interview...
...“In addition, one should forbid the paper from being published for a number of years,” he said...
The Grand Sheikh doesn't seem to have a clue as to how a free, democratic country works. I'm running into this a lot on this board, lately.
Hey there! Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
When you create an account, we remember exactly what you've read, so you always come right back where you left off. You also get notifications, here and via email, whenever new posts are made. And you can like posts and share your thoughts. Sign Up
Hide
Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks