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Saudi Muslim Organization Plans Legal Action Against Charlie Hebdo

© AP Photo / David VincentPeople wait to buy the latest issue of Charlie Hebdo newspaper at a newsstand in Rennes, western France, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015
People wait to buy the latest issue of Charlie Hebdo newspaper at a newsstand in Rennes, western France, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015 - Sputnik International
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Following the newest edition of Charlie Hebdo magazine, which resulted in violent protests and deaths of Muslims, а Saudi former culture minister plans to prosecute the satirical magazine.

MOSCOW, January 18 (Sputnik) – The Saudi Arabian-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is planning to sue the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, after its newest publication illustrating the Prophet Mohamed, reports The Independent.

The decision comes as demonstrations against the controversial image on last week’s “survivor” issue turned violent in some cities of Niger, Pakistan, Algeria and other Muslim countries.

French Muslim youths hold a Islamic flag (top) and a banner reading Do not touch my prophet, anything but the Messenger of Allah as they gather in central Paris January 18, 2015 - Sputnik International
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In Saudi Arabia, the former culture minister Iyad Madani, and now head of the Jeddah-based OIC condemned the new edition of Charlie Hebdo as “an idiotic step that requires necessary legal measures”.

Madani said, “OIC is studying Europe and French laws and other available procedures to be able to take legal action against Charlie Hebdo,” reports The Independent.

“If French laws allow us to take legal procedures against Charlie Hebdo, OIC will not hesitate to prosecute the French magazine.”

On his personal Twitter feed, Madani added: “These cartoons have hurt the sentiments of Muslims across the world.

“Freedom of speech must not become a hate speech and must not offend others. No sane person, irrespective of doctrine, religion or faith, accepts his beliefs being ridiculed,” reported The Independent.

Jean Paul Bierlein reads the new Charlie Hebdo outside a newsstand in Nice - Sputnik International
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The OIC has member states across North Africa and the Middle East, among others, as well as permanent delegations to the UN and EU.

Elsewhere in the Muslim world, Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani condemned Charlie Hebdo, calling the latest cover image of Mohamed a blasphemous and irresponsible act.

“Freedom of expression should be used in a way to boost understanding between the religions,” he said in a statement issued by the presidential palace.

Iraq's Prime Minister Haider Abadi also expressed condemnation, warning that “offensive words might lead to further bloodshed”.

He also restated his condemnation of the attacks on victims in Paris, saying that terrorism, “has nothing to do with Islam in any way”.

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