Kenyan muslim leaders condemn magazine over Prophet cartoon

The publication of the satirical caricature falsely depicting Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him by a French publication Charlie Hebdo have sparked off criticism by Muslims from the country and around the world.
The French magazine on Wednesday published on its front page a cartoon which aimed at mocking and insulting Prophet Muhammad in reaction to the killing of 12 of its staffers by gunmen at its Paris office last week.
Speaking to the Friday Bulletin Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) Secretary General Adan Wachu condemned the publication terming it as “highly offensive” and could dampen efforts of mutual understanding between the Muslims and non-Muslims.
Wachu termed the depiction as a clear provocation to Muslims as it is against Islamic teachings to make a photographic representation of the Prophet, peace be upon him (PBUH).
“This action is terrible, unethical and deserves to be condemned in the strongest terms possible, it is a clear provocation of Muslims the world over,” said Wachu.
He noted that world leaders should come out strongly to condemn the publication of the cartoon just as they did during the Paris attacks that left 17 people dead.
“We equally condemn the killing of the cartoonist by extremist groups but there is no justification for this publication. The publication is meant to avenge the killings by evoking the emotions of Muslims.” Wachu added.
He further took issue with a section of the local press for republishing the caricature from the Charlie Hebdo magazine saying that the action was done in bad faith and it was deliberately made to offend Muslims.
The Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) also condemned the mocking of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)  by the satirical publication.
The national organizing secretary Sheikh Muhammad Khalifa told the media to respect Muslims while stressing that freedom of expression should not be used as an excuse to insult and offend noble personalities of Islam. “We don’t want to see people misusing freedom of expression and religious to provoke and offend others for nothing”, said Sheikh Khalifa.
He nevertheless called on Muslims to remain calm and peaceful urging Muslims to live by the Quranic principles which emphasize on repelling evil with good acts.
The Charlie Hebdo’s caricature of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has elicited strong global condemnation.
The Organization of Islamic Conference denounced the publication of sacrilegious cartoons calling the move “insolence, ignorance and foolishness.” Said the organization’s secretary general Iyad Madani: He said: “Freedom of speech must not become a hate-speech and it must not offend others. No sane person, regardless of doctrine, religion or faith, accepts his beliefs being ridiculed.”
The International Union of Muslim Scholars also criticized the publication they would further stir up hatred, extremism and tension. “It is neither reasonable, nor logical, nor wise to publish drawings and films offensive or attacking the Prophet of Islam,” said the Qatar-based union, headed by Yusuf Al-Qardawi.
According to the union, publication of the drawing would give further “credibility” to the idea that “the West is against Islam.” It said: “If we agree that (those who committed the attacks) are a minority that do not represent Islam or Muslims, then how can they respond with actions that are not directed against the minority, but against the Prophet revered by a billion-and-a-half Muslims?”