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Islamic groups protest JPcartoon
Frank discussion: Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid (JAT) Jakarta branch leader Haris Amir Falah (right) talks to The Jakarta Post chief editor Meidyatama Suryodiningrat (left) regarding the publication of an editorial cartoon, featuring the flag of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), at the Postâs office in Jakarta on Tuesday, while members of Harisâ delegation look on
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span class="caption">Frank discussion: Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid (JAT) Jakarta branch leader Haris Amir Falah (right) talks to The Jakarta Post chief editor Meidyatama Suryodiningrat (left) regarding the publication of an editorial cartoon, featuring the flag of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), at the Post's office in Jakarta on Tuesday, while members of Haris' delegation look on. JAT lodged a protest with the Post on Tuesday for publishing the cartoon, which contained religious symbolism that may have caused offense. The Post published an apology on its front page on Tuesday and immediately retracted the cartoon. JP/Jerry Adiguna
Representatives of two Islamic organizations met with editors of The Jakarta Post on Tuesday to protest its publication of an internationally syndicated cartoon last Thursday.
Publishing the cartoon critiquing the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) 'strengthens the stigma that Islam represents senseless murderers', said Haris Amir Falah, who leads the Jakarta chapter of Jamaah Anshorut Tauhid (JAT).
Despite the apology and retraction posted on the Post's website on Monday and published on the front page of Tuesday's print edition, Edy Mulyadi of the Jakarta Preacher's Corps said the cartoon was 'an extraordinary insult' to Islam, adding that it confirmed non-Muslims hated Islam and its followers.
He said suspicions of an ulterior agenda at the Post arose because it was known as a reputable newspaper.
The cartoon portrayed the actions of ISIL, which declared a caliphate ' an Islamic state ' on the first day of Ramadhan more than a week ago. As it has stormed through Syria and Iraq, ISIL has reportedly committed summary executions and other brutal acts of violence.
Haris pointed out that religious symbols on the ISIL flag were not specific to one group but belonged to all Muslims.
The visitors met on Tuesday with chief editor Meidyatama Suryodiningrat and a number of other editors at the Post's office.
Haris said that although the Post had officially issued an apology, calling the publication of the cartoon an 'error in judgment', it was inevitable that the cartoon would be viewed as offensive to Islam.
Considering the ISIL cartoon in the same league as protested publications such as cartoons in a Danish newspaper depicting the Prophet Muhammad and the novel The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie, Haris said, 'This incident confirms the phenomenon of Islamophobia.'
He also said that the cartoon was an 'insult to beliefs'. The editors explained that although the cartoon was from an international syndicate, the Post was nevertheless responsible for its publication.
Meidyatama and senior editor Endy Bayuni reiterated that the Post had taken the maximum steps by apologizing for and retracting the cartoon, adding that there had never been any intention to insult Islam or any other religion.
Endy, a co-founder of the International Association of Religion Journalists, said the association aimed to ensure better coverage of religion, as the media shared responsibility for interfaith harmony.
The representatives from the Islamic groups said they would consider taking further steps, including legal measures. '[The cartoon] is still insulting although it was unintentional,' Haris said.
