Bosnian Muslim leader urges end to protests

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
A Bosnian Muslim said that the violent protests by some Muslims against the Mohammad cartoons were damaging to the prophet's reputation. Mustafa Ceric, head of Bosnia's Islamic Community, said on Tuesday that the "ugly episode" showed that it was high time for a worldwide interreligious and intercultural dialogue and that the Muslims should use this opportunity to open one. He offered Sarajevo as a venue for such a dialogue. "Freedom of expression cannot be the excuse for insulting the feelings of others," he said. But Ceric appealed to Muslims worldwide, particularly in Europe, to refrain from reacting with violence and to accept the apologies Europe has offered. "The defense of our Prophet Muhammed is not in screaming and in violence in which nobody can recognize his messages of peace and trust among people," he said, urging an end to the protests.