IOC - Press release

Jeddah, 1 January 2006


In the framework of the ramifications of the Danish Newspaper JILLANDS-POSTEN’s publication of offensive drawings depicting the Prophet Mohamed (Peace Be Upon Him) and the indifference with which the Danish authorities addressed this issue, the Organization of the Islamic Conference has decided to boycott the project “Images of the Middle East” which will be organized by the Danish Center for Culture and Development, partially financed by the Danish Government.

The OIC General Secretariat had addressed a memorandum to the aforementioned Center to the effect that the publication of those pictures has offended hundreds of millions of Muslims around the world. More, the Danish authorities’ handling of this issue has fueled the sentiments of discontent and anger in the Muslim world. The memorandum added that the deliberate publication of the said pictures was meant to disturb and infuriate Muslims, and could not be considered as an innocent behavior falling within the scope of freedom of expression in which everyone believes.

The memorandum informed the Danish Center for Culture and Development that the OIC has requested all its Member States and cultural institutions to boycott the activities of the aforementioned Danish cultural project as an expression of its protest against this improper conduct.

Jyllands-Posten: Prophet drawings anger Saudi consumers

26.01.06


Arla Foods is concerned that a boycott of the company's products in Saudi Arabia could cost billions if it takes widespread effect. Saudi Arabian religious and political leaders encouraged consumers to boycott Danish-based Arla Foods' products during last Friday's weekly prayer service. Since then, the call to has been repeated on national TV stations and newspapers accompanied by pictures of Arla products. Arla, one of the world's largest producers of dairy products, has earnings worth DKK 3b in the Middle East

Religious leaders called for the boycott as a way to respond to drawings of the prophet Mohammed printed in daily newspaper Jyllands-Posten last September. The newspaper printed 12 drawings of the prophet Mohammed last year as a way to challenge what it considered the intimidating tactics of fundamental islamists. One Saudi Arabian chain of supermarkets has already removed Arla products from its shelves and called for an official apology. Arla company feared the boycott could spread.

Denmark's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Hans Klingenberg, confirmed that the threat of a widespread boycott had increased in recent days and that Danish companies were concerned. 'There's a risk that in Denmark, we have underestimated the offence that the drawings have caused - not just among Muslims in Denmark but in the whole Muslim world. We should take the threat very seriously,' said Klingenberg.