'Stick to politics and leave religion alone'

May 23 2010 at 01:44PM


The National Press Club (NPC) on Sunday called for a meeting between Jonathan Shapiro, the Mail and Guardian and Muslim leaders to discuss a controversial cartoon that has angered the Muslim community.

"The media needs to be sensitive to religious beliefs and must not marginalize any community. We need to act responsibly," said NPC chairman Yusuf Abramjee.

The Zapiro cartoon which was published in the Mail and Guardian on Thursday depicts Muhammad lying on a couch and complaining to a psychologist that "other prophets have followers with a sense of humour".

"As a Muslim myself, I find it offensive and provocative," said Abramjee.

"We promote freedom of speech and expression. But, let's not forget that it is not absolute. In this case, it must be weighed against religious tolerance."

Muslims across the country had taken offence to the characterisation of the Prophet Muhammad and expressed their anger at the cartoon on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

One comment posted on Facebook by Zainub Milan-Ming said: " Zapiro stick to politics and leave religion alone. Do you even have one?"

Abramjee called on the Muslim community to be calm and not to respond with "anger, abuse or threat".

According to media reports, staff at the Mail and Guardian spent Friday fielding threatening phone calls from offended Muslims.

Callers told staffers: "You've got to watch your back," and "This will cost him his life," reported The Guardian newspaper website in the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, the Witness said Jonathan 'Zapiro' Shapiro defended his work as freedom of expression.

Abramjee said he would meet with Muslim leaders in Johannesburg on Sunday afternoon to encourage a meeting between the community, editor of the Mail and Guardian, Nic Dawes and Shapiro.

"I will call on them to engage Dawes and Shapiro and find a solution," said Abramjee. - Sapa

IOL

Comments by Sonny

Communist politicians use religion to amplify their propaganda, why can't Zapiro!

Zuma is a good example!