Danish newspaper apologizes for offensive cartoons

NICOSIA, Cyprus -- The Middle East Times has received a letter from Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten, in which editor in chief Carsten Juste apologizes to Muslims for having offended them with the cartoons published by the paper last September. Following is the English translation of the Arabic-language letter: Permit me to correct the misunderstanding over the cartoons about the Prophet Mohammed that have led to the boycott of Danish products in your country. These cartoons were published four months ago as part of a Danish debate on freedom of expression, a right that we consider very important in Denmark. The publication of these cartoons has been portrayed as a campaign against Muslims in Denmark and the Muslim world, and it is this impression that I wish to correct. It was never the newspaper's intention to offend anyone's religious beliefs, yet unfortunately this is what has happened, albeit unintentionally. We have apologized various times over the past months in our newspaper, in other newspapers, on television, on the radio and in the international press. In addition, we have met with representatives of the Muslim community in Denmark and these meetings took place in a positive and constructive atmosphere. We are also attempting through other means to build a constructive debate with Danish Muslims. We at Jyllands-Posten regret that the issue has reached this point, and we reiterate that it was never our intention to offend anyone. We believe, as does the rest of Danish society, in respecting freedom of religion. Respectfully, Carsten Juste Editor in chief