Work with cartoonists, Zunar tells Islamists
Published: Jan 8, 2015 11:43 AM | Updated: Jan 8, 2015 5:31 PM
Malaysian political satire cartoonist Zunar, in condemning the Charlie Hebdo killings in France, said Islamists should use the opportunity of mockery against Islam by producing cartoons to show the good image of the religion.
Meanwhile in a tweet, activist Marina Mahathir warned that the attacks could spark more Islamophobia.
UPDATED 1.56PM
Condemning the killings, he urges civility in responses.
Malaysian political satire cartoonist Zunar, in condemning the Charlie Hebdo killings in France, said Islamists should use the opportunity of mockery against Islam by producing cartoons to show the good image of the religion.
“Any disagreement with the said cartoons should be responded in a civilised manner,” said Zunar, whose real name is Zulkiflee Anwar Haque.
He also proposed Jan 7 be declared as “World Cartoonists Day” in memory of those who were killed in the attack on Charlie Hebdo.
Twelve people were killed by three gunmen at the Paris office of the satirical cartoon magazine yesterday.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks so far, but French police are hunting for three French nationals believed to be responsible for the shootings.
Witnesses claimed that the attackers had claimed to be Al Qaeda members during the assault on the magazine’s office, which is known to publish cartoons lampooning Islam and other religions.
Charlie Hebdo recently published a cartoon on a leader of the Islamic State (IS). In 2011, it also published a series of cartoons about the Prophet Muhammad.
Following the attacks, Marina wrote, “The year has just started and already there’s violence. Condolences to the families of the dead in Paris. Brace for more Islamophobia.”
The attacks had drawn widespread condemnation including from Islamic scholars, but also admiration of some Islamist militant groups and sympathisers.
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak (right) tweeted, “Malaysia condemns in the strongest terms all acts of violence. We stand in unity with the French people. We must fight extremism with moderation.”
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein tweeted that the attacks are wrong and do not represent Islam nor Muslims.
As for former de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim, he said France should reintroduce the death penalty, which is currently banned under the French constitution.
“Those terrorists who killed cartoonists in Paris must be made to pay. France should introduce death by firing squad. Eye for an eye,” he asserted.
'Work to show the true image of Islam'
Meanwhile, Zunar threw a challenge to other Muslims to show a more positive side of Islam through cartoons.
“As a Muslim myself, I would like to challenge the Muslim authorities around the world to work closer with cartoonists to produce cartoons that can show the true image of Islam - a religion of peace, tolerance and moderation. Terror is unacceptable in the civilised world,” Zunar said in a statement.
Known for his satire of BN politicians and politics in Malaysia, Zunar himself knows what it is like to be on the receiving end of those who are not happy with his satirical pieces.
He had been dragged to court under the Sedition Act and also had his books banned. He has challenged the ban on his books, which was subsequently revoked by the Court of Appeal in October last year.
The following are excerpts from some of the condemnations in response to the attacks:
Anwar Ibrahim, opposition leader: Whatever might have been the motivation, the brutal killing of the 10 journalists and 2 police officers can never be condoned. My sympathies and condolences go to the families of the victims.
All right-minded people, regardless of religion or creed, must categorically reject such acts of barbarism. Once again, the savage acts of a few in the name of Islam have tainted the rest of the Muslim communities. In this regard, I call on Muslim leaders and ulama, in particular throughout the world, to denounce these acts of terrorism in the strongest terms possible.
We must continuously battle not only the perpetrators of violence but also racial and religious intolerance and bigotry.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: The government of Malaysia strongly condemns the attack on the French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo on 7 Jan 2015.
Nothing justifies taking innocent lives. Malaysia is united with the families of the victims, the government of France, and the French people.
As the prime minister of Malaysia has said, we must fight extremism with moderation, cross-cultural understanding and respect.
Tariq Ramadan, Islamic scholar: Contrary to what was apparently said by the killers in the bombing of Charlie Hebdo's headquarters, it is not the Prophet who was avenged, it is our religion, our values and Islamic principles that have been betrayed and tainted.
My condemnation is absolute and my anger is profound (healthy and a thousand times justified) against this horror!!!
Mohamed Azmin Ali, Selangor menteri besar: The culprits who committed these murders purportedly in the name of Islam are actually the enemies of Islam and must be swiftly brought to justice.
Once again, we must stress that such acts of terrorism and sheer cruelty are completely unacceptable in Islam and we reiterate the paramount importance of justice and moderation and reject all forms of violence and fanaticism.
Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, state exco member of Selangor: The attack was a cowardly act of terrorism. No religion would ever condone the use of violence in such a manner.
We need to remember the legacy of Amir Abdul Qadir al-Jazairi, the 19th century Algerian freedom fighter who is respected not just by Muslims but those he fought, ie. the French and the world over, for his chivalrous example to all.
Gooi Hsiao Leung, PKR international bureau chief: PKR strongly condemns the wicked and horrific massacre of those who were murdered by the 3 gunmen at the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo’s office in Paris yesterday…
It is totally incomprehensible and pure madness to target a newspaper for publishing cartoons and commit cold-blooded murder in the name of religion.
Clearly, this gruesome act of violence was committed to create a climate of hatred, fear and division amongst people of different faiths and religions of the world.
Zairil Khir Johari, DAP assistant publicity chief: DAP unequivocally condemns this heinous and violent attack. There is no doubt that the perpetrators of these inhumane killings must be met with the full force of justice and the law.
Although we do not agree with the magazine’s often-questionable satire, there is nothing that justifies extremism, much less cold-blooded murder, especially against media practitioners.
“Any disagreement with the said cartoons should be responded in a civilised manner,” said Zunar, whose real name is Zulkiflee Anwar Haque.
He also proposed Jan 7 be declared as “World Cartoonists Day” in memory of those who were killed in the attack on Charlie Hebdo.
Twelve people were killed by three gunmen at the Paris office of the satirical cartoon magazine yesterday.No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks so far, but French police are hunting for three French nationals believed to be responsible for the shootings.
Witnesses claimed that the attackers had claimed to be Al Qaeda members during the assault on the magazine’s office, which is known to publish cartoons lampooning Islam and other religions.
Charlie Hebdo recently published a cartoon on a leader of the Islamic State (IS). In 2011, it also published a series of cartoons about the Prophet Muhammad.
Following the attacks, Marina wrote, “The year has just started and already there’s violence. Condolences to the families of the dead in Paris. Brace for more Islamophobia.”
The attacks had drawn widespread condemnation including from Islamic scholars, but also admiration of some Islamist militant groups and sympathisers.
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak (right) tweeted, “Malaysia condemns in the strongest terms all acts of violence. We stand in unity with the French people. We must fight extremism with moderation.”Meanwhile, Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein tweeted that the attacks are wrong and do not represent Islam nor Muslims.
As for former de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim, he said France should reintroduce the death penalty, which is currently banned under the French constitution.
“Those terrorists who killed cartoonists in Paris must be made to pay. France should introduce death by firing squad. Eye for an eye,” he asserted.
'Work to show the true image of Islam'
Meanwhile, Zunar threw a challenge to other Muslims to show a more positive side of Islam through cartoons.
“As a Muslim myself, I would like to challenge the Muslim authorities around the world to work closer with cartoonists to produce cartoons that can show the true image of Islam - a religion of peace, tolerance and moderation. Terror is unacceptable in the civilised world,” Zunar said in a statement.
Known for his satire of BN politicians and politics in Malaysia, Zunar himself knows what it is like to be on the receiving end of those who are not happy with his satirical pieces.
He had been dragged to court under the Sedition Act and also had his books banned. He has challenged the ban on his books, which was subsequently revoked by the Court of Appeal in October last year.
The following are excerpts from some of the condemnations in response to the attacks:
Anwar Ibrahim, opposition leader: Whatever might have been the motivation, the brutal killing of the 10 journalists and 2 police officers can never be condoned. My sympathies and condolences go to the families of the victims.
All right-minded people, regardless of religion or creed, must categorically reject such acts of barbarism. Once again, the savage acts of a few in the name of Islam have tainted the rest of the Muslim communities. In this regard, I call on Muslim leaders and ulama, in particular throughout the world, to denounce these acts of terrorism in the strongest terms possible.
We must continuously battle not only the perpetrators of violence but also racial and religious intolerance and bigotry.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: The government of Malaysia strongly condemns the attack on the French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo on 7 Jan 2015.
Nothing justifies taking innocent lives. Malaysia is united with the families of the victims, the government of France, and the French people.
As the prime minister of Malaysia has said, we must fight extremism with moderation, cross-cultural understanding and respect.
Tariq Ramadan, Islamic scholar: Contrary to what was apparently said by the killers in the bombing of Charlie Hebdo's headquarters, it is not the Prophet who was avenged, it is our religion, our values and Islamic principles that have been betrayed and tainted.My condemnation is absolute and my anger is profound (healthy and a thousand times justified) against this horror!!!
Mohamed Azmin Ali, Selangor menteri besar: The culprits who committed these murders purportedly in the name of Islam are actually the enemies of Islam and must be swiftly brought to justice.
Once again, we must stress that such acts of terrorism and sheer cruelty are completely unacceptable in Islam and we reiterate the paramount importance of justice and moderation and reject all forms of violence and fanaticism.
Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, state exco member of Selangor: The attack was a cowardly act of terrorism. No religion would ever condone the use of violence in such a manner.
We need to remember the legacy of Amir Abdul Qadir al-Jazairi, the 19th century Algerian freedom fighter who is respected not just by Muslims but those he fought, ie. the French and the world over, for his chivalrous example to all.
Gooi Hsiao Leung, PKR international bureau chief: PKR strongly condemns the wicked and horrific massacre of those who were murdered by the 3 gunmen at the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo’s office in Paris yesterday…
It is totally incomprehensible and pure madness to target a newspaper for publishing cartoons and commit cold-blooded murder in the name of religion.
Clearly, this gruesome act of violence was committed to create a climate of hatred, fear and division amongst people of different faiths and religions of the world.
Zairil Khir Johari, DAP assistant publicity chief: DAP unequivocally condemns this heinous and violent attack. There is no doubt that the perpetrators of these inhumane killings must be met with the full force of justice and the law.
Although we do not agree with the magazine’s often-questionable satire, there is nothing that justifies extremism, much less cold-blooded murder, especially against media practitioners.
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