REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) Slamet Effendy Yusuf said that The Jakarta Post caricature, which is insulting and offending to Islam, was born out of an Islamophobic attitude.

"The caricature of The Jakarta Post cannot be accepted by common sense, particularly based on truth or religious belief," Slamet Effendy Yusuf stated here on Tuesday.

Slamet said that Islamophobia had begun from hatred and suspicion against Muslims.

According to him, the appearance of the caricature has confirmed the covert attitudes that have been perceived by the readers about the policy of English-language newspaper published in Jakarta.

"It is clear that the caricature is a form of sacrilege and desecration to the religion that has the largest following in this country," he asserted.

Previously, the Indonesian public was shocked by the publication of the caricature in The Jakarta Post on July 3.

Within the caricature, some elements are present that are insulting and offensive to Islam. The symbols and writings in the caricature have important meaning in Islamic theology.

In the caricature, the phrase "La ilaha illallaah" was present over the image of a skull. In fact, the sentence contains the testimony about submission to the power of God.

In addition, lafaz Allah and the Prophet Muhammad SAW are present in the circle of the skull. Lafaz Allah and the prophet are the most fundamental figures in Islamic theology. One is considered to be a Muslim only if the person believes in Allah as God and Muhammad as Apostle.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika