REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Jakarta Post's chief editor, Meidyatama Suryodiningrat admitted his mistake in editorial cartoon that attacked Islam in the newspaper on Thursday, July 3, 2014. He apologized to public for it.

"We are sorry for this. There is a mistake in decision making," Suryodiningrat said on Monday as reported by Muhammad Hafil.

The cartoon contained religious symbolism that may have been offensive. It basically aimed to describe religious violance committed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the Middle East, which caused negative impact on Muslim fellow there. Therefore, JP criticized the condition through the cartoon that included ISIL flag. However, the flag also used Muslim holy phrase, La Ilaaha Illallah. It created an impression that JP insulted the Islamic symbol.

According to Suryodiningrat, before publishing the cartoon, he did not think that it would affect a strong reaction from Muslims because the JP editor did not have the intention to attack a religion. He also delivered the apology in the newspaper and its official website.

The English-language daily published a large size of cartoon using Islamic symbols in the Opinion section. The flag with lettering of La Ilaaha Illallah with skull logo was attached on the flag. It combined with typical pirate skull flag. In the middle of the skull, there is lettering 'Allah, the Prophet, Muhammad.' The cartoon editorial consisted of some scenes.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika