In defense of freedom of all
Paris, 21. Freedom, including that of expression, is defended with the respect for the dignity of others. This is was said with
determination by Catholics and Muslims in France, where tension is growing following the publication of several cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad in the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo . Their publication sparked immediate protests, adding to an already heated situation ignited by the film Innocence of Muslims which, as we know, has motivated attacks on the US embassies in several countries -- in Benghazi, Lybia, the U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens along with three other US officials were killed – as well as threats from Al Qaeda.
In a joint statement the Catholic Bishop of Evry-Corbeil-Essonnes, Michel Dubost, and the President of the French Muslim Council, Mohammed Moussaoui, have made an appeal to the nation, urging them not to forget that “freedom endangers itself if it forgets fraternity and respect for everyone's equal right to dignity”. In the appeal, it is underlined that “the French Republic has as its motto: “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”. And, “we defend the right to freedom and, in particular, support freedom of expression within the law”.
