The scientific, social, and cultural Muslim associations and organizations call upon European Muslims to integrate into their European communities. They should contribute effectively to the welfare of their societies as much as possible, through cooperation, tolerance, and understanding. Yet, at the same time, these associations and organizations were shocked to hear about the cartoons that fiercely insulted Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), which were published in Denmark's Jyllands-Posten and reprinted in publications in several European countries.

Those who published the cartoons blatantly offended the feelings of more than a billion Muslims all over the world, especially in Europe. The European Council for Fatwa and Research (ECFR), in cooperation with a number of European intellectuals, has been founded to help European Muslims peacefully coexist with their European counterparts. While focusing all its efforts on this purpose, the Council was shocked to learn about these offensive cartoons. Their publication negatively reflects on the spirit of tolerance and cooperation between Europeans and Muslims. Hence, the Council calls for the following:

1. It strongly condemns these cartoons and considers them to be a blatant offense, not only to Muslims, but also to all religious people, regardless of their faith.

2. It believes in and encourages the freedom of press, but it does not consider insulting others and ridiculing their religious symbols to fall under the freedom of expression. On the contrary, it regards this kind of ridicule to be an aggression against human rights, which protects the freedom of belief.

3. Such cartoons contradict the efforts exerted for the purpose of creating peaceful coexistence and integration between the different members of the European community, including Muslims.

4. It calls upon the European authorities to protect Muslims and people of all religions against any violations of their religious sentiments.

5. It calls upon human rights activists, religious associations, and intellectuals to confront all violations of sacred symbols from any religion.

6. It calls upon national and international legal authorities to introduce laws that would incriminate any person who offends the religion or sacred symbols of another.

7. It calls upon the European Muslims to be wise in the defense of their religion and to follow lawful channels to reach their goals, without resorting to violence or breaking the laws.