Journalists back at mosque following cartoon apology

Muslim leaders have lifted a ban on journalists from Christchurch's The Press newspaper attending the local mosque following an apology over printing offensive cartoons.

The cartoons included one of the prophet Muhammad wearing a bomb as a turban.

The Press, along with The Dominion Post and the Nelson Mail last week apologised for causing offence and promised not to use the cartoons again but did not apologise for publishing them in the first place.

The action followed a meeting between the media, religious leaders and the Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres in Wellington.

"We salute the organisers and the participants of the meeting over (the) cartoon controversy and congratulate them and the community at large for the constructive outcome," Muslim Association of Canterbury (MAC) president Khalifa Alhasi said in a letter to The Press.

"Consequently, we are much pleased to...warmly welcome The Press staff to visit our mosque."

Following the publication a reporter and photographer from the newspaper were told to leave the Al Nur mosque grounds on the edge of Hagley Park, and told they would not be welcome to return.

However, a few days later a Muslim community leader brought a bouquet of flowers to the female reporter explaining the ban and asking that there be no hard feelings.

A reporter was later welcomed to the mosque and introduced to members of the congregation.

- NZPA