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In Muslim countries, more voices are condemning the publication of «offensive» cartoons of Prophet Mohammed. After Morocco denounced the act, Algeria’s High Islamic Council followed suit. «The High Islamic Council (HCI) strongly condemns this virulent campaign against the Prophet Muhammad», the body reacted.
«We deplore the emergence of groups which deviate from human values, and which in the name of freedom of expression, insult Islam and its Messenger», the High Islamic Council in Algeria said in a statement published on the Facebook page of the Algerian presidency.
Meanwhile, Mauritania voiced the same opinion, Monday, denouncing the campaign «against Islam, and the provocations done through insulting the Prophet Muhammad». Nouakchott condemned the acts that «have nothing to do with freedom of expression» and rejected «any action or attitude likely to incite racism and hatred».
Despite this official statement, the Mauritanian government prevented protesters from observing a sit-in in front of the French embassy. The protest took place far from the diplomatic representation.
More than just a statement
Contrary to the measured reactions in the three Maghrebian capitals, Tripoli has chosen to raise the tone, urging the French President Emmanuel Macron to «reverse his provocative remarks and to apologize to nearly 1.3 billion Muslims in the world», said Mohamed El Kabalaoui, spokesman for the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement read to the press.
In Tunisia, in the absence of an official reaction, popular protest was heard. On Sunday, hundreds of Tunisians demonstrated in Tataouine (south-east of the country), against Macron's support for the publication of the Prophet caricatures. However, the Mufti (highest religious authority in the country) has not yet reacted.
In Kuwait, the foreign ministry said it was «deeply concerned about the re-publication of cartoons insulting the Prophet». It warned, however, against inciting hatred and violence, as well as the insistence to continue these acts and the tragic consequences it could result in.
On the same token, Qatar, known for its proximity to Turkey and the Muslim Brotherhood, ordered the postponement of the «French Cultural Week», scheduled at the University of Qatar, to a later date.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan described Macron's October 22 comments as «attacks on Islam». «It is unfortunate that he has chosen to encourage Islamophobia by attacking Islam rather than the terrorists who carry out violence, be it Muslims, White Supremacists or Nazi ideologists. Sadly, President Macron has chosen to deliberately provoke Muslims, including his own citizens», Khan wrote on Twitter on Sunday .
On Monday, his foreign minister summoned the French ambassador to inform him of «Pakistan's condemnation of the systematic Islamophobic campaign carried out under the pretext of the defense of freedom of expression».
For the record, in October 2019, the anger of the Islamists led by the religious leader Fazlur Rehman almost brought down the power of Imran Khan.
