Pakistans reaktion ord för ord
Pakistanska utrikesdepartementets uttalande om Nerikes Allehanda och Lars Vilks verk Muhammed som rondellhund, i sin helhet:
PR. No.234/2007TT/DNs text, AFPs text.
Date: 30/08/2007
PAKISTAN CONDEMNS THE PUBLICATION OF OFFENSIVE SKETCH IN SWEDEN
Pakistan condemns, in the strongest terms, the publication of an offensive and blasphemous sketch of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in the Swedish newspaper “Nerikes Allehanda” in the city of Orebro. Regrettably, the tendency among some Europeans to mix the freedom of expression with an outright and deliberate insult to 1.3 billion Muslims in the world is on the rise. In the past also sketches and caricatures of this nature have been published in Europe in the name of the ‘freedom of expression'. Such acts deeply undermine the efforts of those who seek to promote respect and understanding among religions and civilizations.
Today the Swedish Charge d'Affaires was summoned to the Foreign Office by Additional Secretary (Europe) and a strong protest lodged with him. The Swedish Charge d'Affaires was told that the publication of the sketch had caused grave affront to the religious sentiments of Muslims. He was further told that the Government of Pakistan expected greater sensitivity on the part of the Swedish government on this issue. The Swedish Cd'A explained that the Swedish government fully shared the views of the Muslim community and termed the publication as unfortunate.
Pakistan will also hold consultations with the OIC to determine the future course of action against the repetition of such provocative publications. The Government of Pakistan will continue to work, with like-mined countries, in the UN to find ways of addressing the recurring issue of defamation of Islam and its sacred personalities.
Islamabad
30 August, 2007
