Cartoon Protest

 

 

 

 

The Church and Society Committee of the United Reformed Church today (February 10th) issued the following statement on behalf of the Church:

 

The United Reformed Church understands the offence caused to Muslims by publication of cartoons seen as showing disrespect to the Prophet Muhammad. We share the pain felt by Muslim communities in this country.

 

We are committed to freedom of speech but we believe that with that freedom comes a responsibility to consider whether publication of offensive material is in the wider public interest. Equally, freedom of speech does not include freedom to incite people to break the law.

 

We support the right of Muslims to mount peaceful protest, to make clear their hurt. However, we condemn the use of violence, threats of violence and civil unrest. These would, in any case, only serve further to inflame a dangerous situation, and provide easy ammunition for those who seek to denigrate Islam.

 

We encourage local United Reformed churches to show solidarity with Muslims at this time, building on the good relationships already established in many areas.

 

ENDS