Malaysia adds voice to the tidal wave of global condemnation of Swedish newspapers that recently republished a sacrilegious cartoon of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Speaking out against the Swedish government more strongly than ever, Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said late Saturday that his country “strongly denounces the reprinting of the caricature of the Prophet by three Swedish newspapers on 10 March 2010,"
Under the banner of freedom of expression, he said, the move was a "despicable act to disregard to the sensitivity of the Muslim world” and thus a cause for serious concern.
Aman urged the Swedish government to take adequate measures in preventing the recurrence of such publications, which he described as ”irresponsible, provocative, and offensive in nature.”
The publication of the sacrilegious cartoon, which was first drawn by Swedish caricaturist Lars Vilks in 2007, has enraged Muslims around the world, prompting widespread protests and worldwide demonstrations.
Meanwhile, the governments of Iran, Egypt, and Pakistan, have made formal complaints to the Swedish government over the offensive incident.
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