Reply #227: Syrian Religious Leader Slams Violent Protests over Cartoons [View All]

A Syrian religious leader on Saturday criticized the protestors for burning Danish and Norwegian embassies to vent anger at publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad in newspapers of the two countries.

Grand Mufti Sheikh Ahmed Badr al-Dean Hassoun expressed sorrow over the way some people exploited in the protest, the official SANA news agency reported.

"We feel sadness over what some people did, ... driven by their emotions in which they impaired our dialogue with the Danish and Norwegian peoples," Hassoun was quoted as saying. (...)

"We had already accepted the apology, and agreed that the Danish newspaper concerned would publish articles ... on the noble attributes and traits of the Prophet Mohammad so that we don't reach the stage of conflict or lose friendship with our friends in Europe who support Arab rights," he added.

http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/2239/2006-2-5/64@297131.htm