HELSINKI, Feb. 15 (Xinhuanet) -- Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja has sent an open letter to newspapers in several Muslim countries, condemning the intentional hurting of others' religiousfeelings, the Foreign Ministry said in a press release Wednesday.
Tuomioja also appealed for restraint over the cartoon controversy.
"Liberty of expression is a fundamental value and a democratic right in our society. Its responsible use entails promoting the respect of religions and the spiritual feelings of people belonging to all religions," said the letter which was sent on Monday to the editors of the major newspapers in Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.
The minister wrote that intentionally hurting the religious feelings of anyone was unwise and condemnable.
"While the publication of the cartoons was unwise, it is necessary to underline that the reaction, when it has taken violent forms, including the burning of diplomatic missions and aggression against international peace keepers, is unacceptable," the letter said.
Danish daily Jyllands-Poste first published 12 cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad last September, depicting him as a terrorist.
The cartoons, which were reprinted in some other European pressearlier this year, have provoked widespread protests and boycotting of Danish products in the Muslim world.
Tuomioja added in the letter that Finland, which will be chairing the European Union later this year, would make seeking dialogue with the Islamic world one of its main objectives.
