Pakistanis demonstrated Monday, October 26, 2020 against the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in France, which they consider blasphemous.

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Muhammad Sajjad / AP / SIPA

The French ambassador was summoned by Islamabad "to express Pakistan's concerns regarding the systematic Islamophobic campaign under the cover of freedom of expression" in France, said Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, spokesman for the ministry of Pakistani Foreign Affairs.

This convocation comes as small demonstrations against France were held that same day in Pakistan.

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday accused the French President of "attacking Islam" after the latter defended the freedom to publish religious cartoons in France.

Blasphemy in Pakistan may lead to killings and lynchings

Last Wednesday, Emmanuel Macron had said that France would not renounce "caricatures", including those of the Prophet Muhammad, during a tribute to Professor Samuel Paty, recently beheaded after showing some of them to his students.

Blasphemy is an inflammatory issue in Pakistan, where even unproven allegations of offending Islam can lead to assassinations and lynchings.

"President Macron could have played appeasement", tweeted Sunday Imran Khan, ex-cricket champion and playboy, who now presents himself as a very pious Muslim.

“It is unfortunate that he chose to encourage Islamophobia by attacking Islam rather than terrorists who practice violence, be they Muslims, white supremacists or 'Nazi ideologues,' he continued.

Boycott of French products

The Pakistani prime minister also announced on Sunday that he had written to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg asking him to block Islamophobic content, after the platform announced in mid-October that it would ban Holocaust-denying content.

“Given the recurring defamation of Muslims on social media, I would ask you to ban Islamophobia and hatred against Islam on Facebook, as you did for the Holocaust,” he wrote.

A representative for Facebook said on Monday that the company was against "all forms of hatred, including hatred towards the Muslim community."

A few dozen people gathered on Monday in several large Pakistani cities, including Quetta (South West) and Peshawar (North West).

Protesters demanded a boycott of French goods and religious leaders called for larger protests on Friday.

In Lahore (East), a tricolor flag was burned.

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  • Emmanuel Macron

  • Ambassador

  • Caricature

  • Pakistan

  • Islam