Japan says Muslim offense at cartoon 'regrettable'

[Asad]

The government said in a statement Friday that it is ‘‘regrettable’’ that a section of a Japanese cartoon has sparked an outcry in the Muslim world and stressed the need to foster understanding to prevent similar incidents in the future. ‘‘While it resulted from carelessness, the Japanese government considers it regrettable that Muslims’ feelings were hurt by the content of some of the cartoon,’’ Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Kazuo Kodama said. ‘‘In any case, we think it is important to prevent a recurrence by fostering understanding and respect for other religions and cultures.’’

The statement came a day after Japanese publisher Shueisha Inc and Another Push Pin Planning Co, which created the animated images, apologized for offending Muslims but insisted the detail had simply been overlooked and there was no intention of showing any disrespect for the Quran. At issue is a 90-second segment from ‘‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure,’’ which depicts Dio Brando, a villain, picking up a Quran from a bookshelf and apparently examining it as he orders the execution of the hero and his friends.

Publisher to suspend cartoon sales after Muslims say it insults Islam


A popular Japanese cartoon is sparking off outcries in the Muslim world where some fear it could fuel a backlash not seen since European papers carried cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed and a Dutch lawmaker released a controversial film earlier this year.

A Japanese publisher involved in the production of the cartoon and its animation version, suspended sales of some of the original comics and the DVD series Thursday, but said the material was not intended to be offensive.

At issue is a 90-second segment which depicts Dio Brando, a villain, picking up a Quran from a bookshelf and apparently examining it as he orders the execution of the hero and his friends.

The animated movie is based on the wildly popular comic book by Hirohiko Araki, which has been carried in Shonen Jump, a weekly magazine, from 1987 to 2003. The cartoon series’ pirated version with Arabic subtitles has been distributed on websites since March 2007.

After a viewer posted negative comments and the still scene, it sparked off more protests. Eventually responses were carried on more than 300 Arab and Islamic Web forums with some accusing Japan of insulting the Quran.

Sheikh Abdul Hamid Attrash, chairman of the Fatwa (religious edict)
Committee at Al-Azhar, the highest Sunni authority based in Cairo, dismissed the cartoon as an insult to Islam.

‘‘This scene depicts Muslims as terrorists, which is not true at all,’’ he said. ‘‘This is an insult to the religion and the producers would be considered to be enemies of Islam.’’

In responding to the accusation, the Shueisha official explained that it was ‘‘a simple mistake.’’

‘‘Neither the original comic nor the animation intends to treat Muslims as villains. But as a result, the cartoon offended Muslims.’’ said the official. ‘‘We apologize for the unpleasantness that the cartoon may have caused and will carefully consider how to deal with religious and culture themes.’’

The official said one of animators came up with the idea of using an Arabic book in order to give the scene a more authentic feel as the villain was hiding out in Egypt.

Other reactions included website postings citing their offense as the suggested correlation between the villain and his reading of the holy book, as well as the underlying message suggesting that children who read the Quran will become villains.

‘‘There are prejudiced pictures about the greatest and purest divine book, our Great Quran, in a new cartoon series called JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure...what is the purpose of putting these pictures?’’ a well circulated Internet message asks.

Although the Japanese publisher explained that the Quran was not included in the original comic book version, the scene appears in episode 6 of the cartoon’s first original animation video, ‘‘Stardust Crusaders,’’ which was produced by A.P.P.P (Another Push Pin Planning) Co in 2001.

‘‘There is a wicked man in a cartoon series called JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and this villain appears in a clip while reading Holy Quran...even the Japanese began to depict Muslims as evil persons and terrorists in their cartoon films,’’

As an Egyptian Internet cafe owner in Cairo, Yassin, believes the objective of the Japanese producers is to say, ‘‘This evil character derives its subversive ideas from this book, the Holy Quran...this indicates the deep-rooted rancor against Islam and the misconceptions about Quran meanings.’’ ‘‘This is unjustifiable,’’ he said.

Still others, such as Gamal Qutb, the former head of the Fatwa Committee at Al-Azhar, were even tougher, suggesting that Muslims would boycott Japanese products unless Japan takes action against the controversial video.

‘‘Muslims will be forced to adopt a position toward their civilization, from arguing their worship through boycotting their products to responding in the same manner if necessary,’’ he noted.

I applaud the Japanese that they at least realize their mistake and are taking steps to rectify it unlike the West (Danish and Europeans). This only increases their respect with us.

[Xe Phantom]

Why couldn't the west be as complacent? It seems they may really have a grudge against Muslims which they're so stupidly hiding behind the facade of free speech.

Why this hatred for muslims, I am still trying to figure out. Religious rivalry maybe?

[eXtacy]

Though I dont blame them for showing the muslims as the bad guys.

Where else do you see people protesting claiming they are of a religion of peace while spewing hatred and burning flags of nations ... peace loving ey *rolls eyes*

[eXtacy]

Why couldn't the west be as complacent? It seems they may really have a grudge against Muslims which they're so stupidly hiding behind the facade of free speech.

Why this hatred for muslims, I am still trying to figure out. Religious rivalry maybe?

What would you do if some a certain group of people would burn the flag of your nation ? Call your nation as infidels and call for death to your whole nation ?

Would you hug them ?

[Asad]

Originally Posted by Xe Phantom

Why couldn't the west be as complacent? It seems they may really have a grudge against Muslims which they're so stupidly hiding behind the facade of free speech.

Why this hatred for muslims, I am still trying to figure out. Religious rivalry maybe?

Religious rivalry? Maybe. After all, some Christian official of some Church in UK recently questioned the failure (decreasing rate) of minority Muslims converting to Christianity.

I think the attitude problem exists where the West [particular influential people in control of media, etc] like creating sensationalism in the name if Islam and how Muslims still follow it. It might be unconscious jealousy by some of them when they see us still clinging to our religion when they have no idea of religion when they reject the teachings of Christianity itself. hence, the differences between the Old Testament and the New Testament. As I see it, Jews are still clinging to their religion just like Muslims. There are bad fruits in both groups, however, who cause the entire religious community to be tainted.

Furthermore, for them, their constitution (man made) is the law where as, for us, we should lead our lives by the word of Allah; Quran and Sunnah. Notice the use of the word 'should' because we do not really live by the word of Allah even though we state otherwise, preferring a more Westernized lifestyle.

[Asad]

Originally Posted by eXtacy

Though I dont blame them for showing the muslims as the bad guys.

Where else do you see people protesting claiming they are of a religion of peace while spewing hatred and burning flags of nations ... peace loving ey *rolls eyes*

Very very true. We Muslims hit the axe on our own feet because many are not educated and do not even know what Islam says. they think they know what Islam says (through Mullahs, etc) but they really don't know nor even try to get knowledge about Islam on their own via Quran and Sunnah.

They think that spiting the West is the way to counter their influence. They do not realize that by doing this, they are just hurting themselves even more by giving the world a wrongful negative impression of Muslims.

I also think that we display hypocrisy of the highest extent when we defend Muhammad (PBUH) but say or do nothing when others abuse or make fun of Prophet Jesus/Issa or Prophet Mussa. They too are Prophets of Allah and deserve as much respect, as Muhammad (PBUH). Even Muslims, themselves sometimes abuse these other prophets.

[zabi_rauf]

Very very true. We Muslims hit the axe on our own feet because many are not educated and do not even know what Islam says. they think they know what Islam says (through Mullahs, etc) but they really don't know nor even try to get knowledge about Islam on their own via Quran and Sunnah.

I think this is the biggest problem of us all. We people don`t study Quran and believe what Mullah says.Completely agree with you Asad.

[AzeemBhai]

Yes i agree we Muslims are not portraying the true essence of Islam but that does not mean that west can badmouth Islam just becoz of that,Christians & Jews are the most Barbaric people around the world if we are aware of the History yet they have Guts to call Islam a Terrorist religion
Its just a political statement because every Non-Muslim(Christian,Jew,Atheist or Non believer,Hindu etc) feel threatened by Islam because its the only True Religion & able to answer their each & every question

[deltree]

lets c the arab world denounce land cruisers now lol

[Mubeen Ahmed]

Arabs....they are the real menace in the world. A recent study in USA shows that Arab Owns 40% Share of their basic infrastructure industry and 28% in power and Oil which is significantly increasing annually. They dont even care about Oil Reserves any more. They are slowly and steadily acquiring major assets all around the world.

The income they earn through out the whole year from Umrah and Hajj are far more beneficial as this require less investment than any other developing industry.