By: E&P Staff The Malaysian newspaper that received flak for publishing a Muhammad-themed "Non Sequitur" comic has explained its decision and apologized.
"There was no caricature of the Prophet Muhammad at all in that cartoon; nor was there any derogatory comment made about the Prophet or Islam," the New Straits Times wrote in a lengthy Friday piece. "Perhaps, in more ordinary circumstances, such a cartoon would not have received more than a passing mention. Yet, these are different times. ... [W]e apologize for hurting the feelings of those who have made statements and police reports against us [and] we will also abide by any action the government decides to take against the newspaper or its executives."
Wiley Miller's Feb. 20 comic showed an artist next to a sign saying: "Caricatures of Muhammad while you wait!" The caption read: "Kevin finally achieves his goal to be the most feared man in the world."
After the cartoon was published in the Times, the police received complaints from Malaysia's Islamic opposition party and three nongovernmental organizations. The Internal Security Ministry asked the newspaper to explain in writing why action shouldn't be taken against it for running the comic, which the ministry said breached the conditions of the Times' publishing permit.
Cartoons showing Muhammad -- first published by a Danish newspaper in September and later by other papers -- have led to violent protests by many Muslims.
Miller does "Non Sequitur" for more than 700 papers via Universal Press Syndicate.
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