The editor of the small Christian weekly "Magazinet", Vebjoern Selbekk(photo), at a press conference on Friday apologized for his decision to publish a facsimile of the caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed, originally published in the Danish newspaper Jyllandsposten.
Selbekk said he deeply regretted that he had offended the religious feelings of all Muslims by reprinting the Danish drawings.
He said that at the time he had not fully realized how offensive the caricatures had been.
- I deeply regret that that you as Muslims have had your religious feelings hurt through what we have done. It was not our aim to hurt anyone, Selbekk said.
At the same time he praised the Norwegian Muslim community for the way in which it has responded.
- You have responded in a a dignified and restrained way. For this you deserve respect and credit, Selbekk said.
The leader of the Islamic Council Norway, Mohammed Hamdan, said at the press conference that Selbekk now had the protection of the Muslim community.
He quoted the Prophet Mohammed saying that all persons may make a mistake, but that the best person is the one who regrets his mistake.
He also distanced himself from threats of violence which had been directed at Selbekk.
- We wish that he and his family may live in peace. I understand that Selbekk has children of the same age as mine. I want that my children and his children grow up together, and live together in peace and become friends, Hamdan said.
