Cartoon apology welcomed

Aucklander Asif Naim is one of the New Zealand Muslims pleased to see apologies from media companies which ran cartoons of the prophet Muhammad..

Pakistan-born Mr Naim was so angry when he heard the cartoons had run in three Fairfax papers and on two television channels that he wrote a letter to a newspaper in Dubai, where he grew up, calling for a boycott of New Zealand goods.

His letter, published in Khaleej Times on Wednesday as editors and Islamic leaders were meeting in Wellington, described his sadness at seeing "the Western press playing with the feelings of the Muslims just to prove the point that they enjoy freedom of the press".

He added: "I condemn all of them and urge Muslims to boycott New Zealand products until they offer an apology."

Mr Naim, an Greenlane-based parking warden who has been in New Zealand for three years, says he is "really happy" that apologies for causing offence had been made.

"That was what I wanted all along."

Mr Naim was prompted to write the letter after an Arab commentator in Dubai told BBC TV that although Muslims in the emirate were encouraged to boycott Danish goods, they could buy New Zealand versions of the same products.

* Trade Negotiations Minister Phil Goff said that following a a meeting on Wednesday with the Iranian ambassador, Kambiz Sheikh-Hassani, the ambassador had understood the decision to print the cartoon had been made by individuals in the media and not by the Government - or exporters.

- additional reporting NZPA