Will seek advice from 4 ministries
A parliamentary committee was formed yesterday to decide on action against Denmark over controversial newspaper cartoons.
Panel chairman Mohammed Ibrahim Bousandal told the Tribune that independent Deputy Jassim Saeedi was chosen as the committee's vice-chairman.
The panel would contact at least four ministries to seek advice on the course of action to let the Danish authorities know about its objection to publishing such material that hurt Islamic world's sentiments.
"The ministries of Information, Justice and Islamic Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Commerce and Industry would be contacted," he said.
"We would seek advice from them on how to communicate our opposition over the issue. We would also look at plans to deal with the issue. We need to look at options, including legal action.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to advise us on diplomatic measures needed to deal with the issue.
"We would seek advice from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on a campaign against such attempts. We could also look at measures, including a call for boycott of Danish products.
"The panel also plans to negotiate with Islamic and Arabian parliaments to enact a law and make the publication of such cartoons a crime so that such incidents are not repeated," he added.
Several newspapers, including Politiken, and Belingske have rallied behind Jyllands-Posten for "freedom of speech". In Denmark, some disturbances were reported during which cars and a school were set on fire.
The police are unsure if the disturbances were related to the cartoons.
Sources said the riots in Norrebro district started before the arrests and were unrelated to the cartoon controversy.
Peaceful demonstrations were held in Copenhagen after Friday prayers. Rallyists carried the flags of Hizb ut-Tahrir.
Egypt banned four foreign newspapers, including the New York-based Wall Street Journal and Britain's The Observer for reprinting the cartoons, on February 19.
© Bahrain Tribune 2008
