An example of 'cultural extremism'

Abu Dhabi: The blasphemous cartoons published by a Danish newspaper is an example of cultural extremism, said Mohammad Nakhira Al Daheri, Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Awqaf.

The minister said this while meeting with the ministry's senior scholars and preachers, reported WAM.

The publication of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) has sparked a wave of condemnation across the Islamic world.

He described the act as a prime example of unprecedented hatred against Muslims and their holy shrines, which is growing in many parts of the world.

Distorted

This act threatens to derail relations between people of various religious beliefs and countries.

Such attempts transgress the boundaries of what is politically correct and what is religiously sacred.

He said the concept of freedom of expression has been distorted by some people in a way that it gives them the right at the expense of others, a freedom that harms the feelings of others.

This will cause an imbalance in the scales of values and justice set by religious laws and international laws, he said.

Al Daheri said the offensive cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad, prophet of Islam, peace and justice, which were published by the Danish daily Jyllands-Posten and re-published by Norwegian Magzinet, has the ominous portents of a clash of civilisations.

"Nothing is holier to Muslims, after Almighty Allah, than the Prophet Mohammad, so where is the benefit of some institutions and groups to sabotage the bridges of communication and cooperation among nations and peoples?" Al Daheri said.

He added: "As much as we condemn extremism in every part of the world, we condemn the publishing of this offensive material, which is considered cultural extremism, not media freedom.

"As we condemn this extremism, we warn against unexpected consequences that may be caused by hateful groups, which have vengeful feelings towards Islam, its prophet and Islamic shrines and civilisation.

"Such hatred negatively affects relations and freedom, no matter what the cause or justification might be."