'We are waiting for Denmark to say sorry'

Doha: Islamic scholar Yousuf Al Qaradawi has renewed his called on Denmark to apologise over the cartoons of the Prophet.

He also asked the European Union to take a clear-cut stand rejecting blasphemy to ensure such acts will not be repeated.

The scholar, who was attending the opening ceremony of the Alliance of Civilisations conference, said the cartoons issue was far from over.

"We have asked Denmark to apologise and for Europe to take a clear stand condemning the publication of the cartoons," Al Qaradawi told Gulf News.

"I am not calling off the boycott of Danish products until Denmark and the European Union respond to the demands of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference."

Retailers in Qatar and other Gulf countries have started pulling Danish and Norwegian products off the shelves following Qaradawi's appeal.

Despite Javier Solana, the High Representative for the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, visiting the Organisation of the Islamic Conference in Jeddah and conveying the sorrow of the bloc and reiterating the respect of European countries for Islam, Qaradawi said the Muslim world awaited a sign of condemnation over the cartoons.

"There has to be clear-cut condemnation and a commitment such actions will not be repeated," he said.

EU officials have said religious beliefs should be respected but also defended the freedom of the press and expression. The cartoons issue was at the core of Sunday's debate.

Speaking to Gulf News, Mohammad Khatami, the former president of Iran, said insulting a religion was not an example of free speech but an attempt "to inflame emotions and hurt religious feelings. In this regard it is similar to terrorism and torture."