Araweelo News Network

Mogadishu(ANN)- Somalia on Thursday condemned comments by the French president supporting cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammed.

“The Federal Government of Somalia regrets the violation of the faith, sanctity, and theology of the Muslim people, and our Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him,” the Somali Presidency said in a statement.

The Horn of Africa nation then urged the world leaders to carefully consider statements that provoke the sentiments of Muslims by distinguishing between freedom of expression and violation of religious sanctities.

On Wednesday, hundreds of people protested in the Somali capital Mogadishu against Macron’s controversial remarks.

Separately,The towns of Burao and Borama in Somaliland have been criticized for posting images of the protest.

But the Somaliland government has not commented on the incident and the reaction of its people in Burao and Borama.

Meanwhile, the Islamic world has a criticized the practice, including the spoken the preacher of the al-Aqsa Mosque and former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem al-Quds has called on Palestinians to observe a Friday of Rage across the Israeli-occupied territories in protest at publication of blasphemous cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in France and French President Emmanuel Macron’s support for for the move.

On Thursday, Sheikh Ekrima Sa’id Sabri called on Palestinians from all walks of life to prove their allegiance to Islam’s Prophet and unite against any insult to him.

“Muslims condemn publication of blasphemous cartoons insulting the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and firmly oppose such uncivilized conduct,” the distinguished Palestinian religious leader pointed out.

He added, “These offensive caricatures contradict the principles of free speech as well as freedom of opinion. They run counter to what they claim. Such behavior is nothing but mockery and ridicule indeed.”

On October 16, French teacher Samuel Paty was beheaded outside his school in a Paris suburb by an 18-year-old assailant of Chechen origin, identified as Abdullakh Anzorov. He had shown the caricatures during a lesson about free speech.

While eulogizing the history teacher a few days later, Macron said France would not renounce its display of the blasphemous cartoons.