Orthodox Churches around Europe have vigorously condemned the republication of cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad by France’s satirical Charlie Hebdo weekly, two weeks after eight members of its staff were massacred by militant Islamists.
"We call on journalists worldwide to observe a moratorium on publishing caricatures offending Muslims, Christians and followers of others faiths,” said the World Russian People's Council, chaired by Orthodox Patriarch Kirill. “Calls to reprint them are irresponsible and unjust - a blow … to millions of innocent Muslims, and a show of disrespect for an entire civilisation.”
The statement was issued as last week’s issue of the magazine sold up to seven million copies worldwide, with a cover depicting a tearful Prophet holding the slogan "Je suis Charlie". It said publicly offending religious feelings was illegal in Russia, where it was believed the "dialogue of cultures" necessitated a limit to encroachments on basic values.
The predominant Orthodox Church in Georgia also condemned the cartoons, and warned their reproduction could have "catastrophic consequences for not only individual countries but the world as a whole". Meanwhile, Serbia's Orthodox Church said the "spiritual violence" of the images had "grossly injured the religious feelings and convictions" of Muslims, and would "encourage intolerance and open enmity".
Among other reactions, the Saudi-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation said it would sue the weekly over the cartoons.
The chairman of the Russian parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, Alexei Pushkov, said in a Twitter message he was glad Russia did not follow Europe in allowing "mockery of religious sanctities".
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