Nawaz justifies public reaction to sketches

Published February 11, 2006

ISLAMABAD, Feb 10: Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Friday said the reaction shown by the Muslims all over the world to the insulting cartoons was in accordance with their faith, and the Islamic governments that took a strong diplomatic action in this regard deserved all commendation.

He said the Muslim fury could spread further if the advocates of the so-called freedom of expression failed to offer an unconditional apology to the Muslim Ummah.

He praised the world statesmen and religious leaders, who condemned this sacrilegious act. He said the civilized countries must enact clear legislations to check such incidents in future.

Nawaz Sharif said the UN Charter, universal ethical principles and even the constitution of Denmark did not permit hurting the feelings of the peoples of other faiths.

He said western citizens normally lowered radio/TV sound to respect the rights of the neighbours, yet they felt free to hurt the religious sentiments of the one and a half billion Muslims. Indeed, their insulting attitude reflected hate against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H), he added.

He said contrary to the western ideas, the Muslims did not take their religion as a private affair; they revered all messengers of God, including Moses and Jesus, and no Muslim would even think of insulting them.

He said Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had the distinguished honour of upholding respect and rights of women and abolishing all discriminations on the basis of race, colour or language.

Nawaz Sharif said the charter of human rights framed by the Prophet remained unmatched even today and for all times to come. No reasonable person could tolerate an insult to such a revered personality, Nawaz Sharif said.

Meawhile, Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain and his deputy Sardar Yaqub have condemned bomb blast in Hangu, which caused loss of precious lives.

In a statement here Friday the speaker and deputy speaker termed the blust “a barbaric act of terrorism”, and the perpetrators inhuman and savage.