Zagreb (IKA) – In a statement to Croatian Catholic Radio, the president of the Meshihat of the Islamic Community of the Republic Croatia, Mufti Ševko Omerbašić, expressed sorrow over the publication of the disputed caricatures of the prophet Mohammed in the weekly magazine Nacional, and saluted the reaction of the Government of the Republic of Croatia.

“We deplore that Nacional has published this. They consider it to be their right and will bear the consequences, in the sense that the number of issues sold will be higher or lower. We are satisfied with the statement by the Government of the Republic of Croatia that defends religious convictions. We fully understand that the Government cannot block the freedom of the media and we also support freedom of the media. However, when this freedom of the media encroaches on the rights of others and transgresses them, especially the rights of religious communities, we must say that we consider this to be irresponsible freedom. We think that everyone in Croatia will understand what has happened to Muslims,” stated Mufti Omerbašić to Croatian Catholic Radio.