The Abu Dhabi-based Council of Muslim Wise Men has announced its intention to prosecute
Charlie Hebdo
and "
anyone who offends Islam
" as France defends the freedom to publish cartoons.
This council, bringing together Muslim dignitaries from various countries, "
decided to set up a committee of international jurists to prosecute Charlie Hebdo
", indicated a tweet published on the night of Monday 26 to Tuesday 27 October on the account of the Sunni institution Al-Azhar, based in Cairo.
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The council, chaired by the grand imam of Al-Azhar, says it also plans to "
prosecute anyone who offends Islam and its sacred symbols
."
In addition, the Muslim body "
strongly rejects the use of freedom of expression as a pretext to attack the Prophet Muhammad
".
"
Freedom of expression (...) must respect the rights of others and should not allow religions to be used in political markets or in electoral propaganda
," the council continued.
This crisis comes after French President Emmanuel Macron promised not to "
renounce the cartoons
" of the Prophet Muhammad during a tribute to Professor Samuel Paty, beheaded on October 16 near Paris by an Islamist extremist, after showing to his students caricatures of Muhammad during a course on freedom of expression.
The representation of prophets is strictly prohibited by Islam.
Emmanuel Macron's statements sparked a wave of criticism in several Muslim countries, where demonstrations were held to condemn them.
A campaign has also been launched in some countries to boycott French products, while many European leaders are in solidarity with the French president.
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Demonstration in Israel to denounce Macron's remarks on the Muhammad caricatures
