Denmark warns against travel to Muslim countries

Copenhagen, Oct 9: Denmark's Foreign Ministry warned Danish citizens against travelling to several Muslim countries and Israel today after the latest Prophet Mohammad cartoon controversy.

The warning comes after Danish state TV aired amateur video footage showing members of the anti-immigrant Danish People's Party (DPP) youth wing taking part in a competition to draw images mocking the Prophet at a summer camp in August.

The Foreign Ministry issued a strong advisory against travel to the Gaza Strip and cautioned against travel to Israel and the West Bank, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey.

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has condemned the behaviour of the DPP activists. The party is not a member of the ruling coalition but supports the government in parliament.

In Tehran, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said those who insulted the Prophet were ''low life'' devoid of human values, the student news agency ISNA reported.

''In the period October 6-8, a number of Arabic media have published critical stories about the airing of video footage from the Mohammad competition held by the youth wing of the Danish People's party,'' the Foreign Ministry said.

''Against that background, we urge Danes to use caution as the matter could possibly lead to negative reactions. The atmosphere and reactions can vary dependent on time and place and Danes should be aware of the local mood,'' it said.

A year ago, the Danish daily Jyllands-Posten published cartoons of the Prophet, including one showing him with a bomb in his turban. Muslim clerics denounced them as blasphemous, sparking protests in which more than 50 people died in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Angry Muslims attacked Danish embassies and boycotted Danish goods in several countries.

Most Muslims regard any depiction of the Prophet as offensive.

REUTERS