Saudi Daily Apologizes over al-Rahi Caricature
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
The Saudi al-Watan daily apologized on Friday for a caricature it published of Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi in light of his visit to Syria on February 9 and 10.
It said that it did not mean to insult a religious figure, but it only expressed an opinion over his trip to Syria.
The daily later published an apologetic caricature of Lebanon, portraying it as a center of religious diversity between Muslims and Christians.
Al-Rahi's caricature had replaced his mitre with a rocket and highlighted the common letters between the patriarch and Syrian President Bashar Assad's names in Arabic.
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri had condemned on Friday the caricature, saying that the kingdom respects the patriarch and values his efforts to fortify Lebanese national unity.
Al-Rahi had visited Syria to attend the enthronement of Greek Orthodox leader Youhanna X Yazigi at the Church of the Holy Cross in Qassaa.
16 February 2013, 09:24
64
We demand an apology. Why is the cross over the crescent? And why is the crescent is in a submissive position laying down. Where is Madi? Time to sue this muslim-hating newspaper out of existence.
16 February 2013, 09:38
73
@rafehh
The cross ober the crescent because the crescent is the "noun" now calm down mate.
16 February 2013, 09:45
83
I don't see why they needed to apologize over a drawing. True, there are similarities between the name Bashar and Bshara. True, Rahi could be instrumentalized by the baathist regime and become a dangerous weapon that would go against the interests of syrian christians.
16 February 2013, 19:43
01
Shame on your level of discourse @FlameThrower, nothing justifies such vulgarity.
As to the apology, free speech is free speech and just as one does not advocate apologizing when Islam, or its symbols, is the subject of satire so it is that no apology should be required when Christianity, or its symbols, is the subject of similar satire.
Religion is not exempt from satire and free speech must NEVER be abridged when it is directed towards any religion. No exceptions.
16 February 2013, 12:03
11
OK they messed up. The apologized. Issue is closed.
Now can they do the same in case somebody does a stupid cartoon of the prophet mohamed? accept the apology and move on? or do they have to fix the issue in blood?
16 February 2013, 13:22
00
I lived in saudi Arabia and know for sure that the people over their are not religiously biased, although some of them are like it is the case everywhere in the world. The Christian lebanese, of whom I am one, are well received in Saudi Arabia. That's why I was amazed at the drawing which shows Al Rai with horns made of weaponry. Saudi arabia is decent country. nevertheless, I applaud the new drawing which shows the cross and the crest hagging each other. Whether anyone wants it or not, Lebanon could not survice with both religions sharing everything together.
17 February 2013, 02:10
00
One litle observation ya FT
Iran does not make caricatures but does make movies moking Jesus Christ.
I am sure you remember the ones that were passing on El manar and were removed after many protests.
I am sure you also remember the attack on the Danish embassy but you forget some other attacks in Ashrafieh following Kalam El Nass.
How memory could be selective!!
