Why Muslims are so sensitive to images of Prophet being used

Believers think of him as the prefect human being in the world.

Islam forbids images of anybody. Images are forbidden in the Koran. There are many verses in the Koran which condemn worshipping idols. From that we draw that idols are paintings and pictures, and particularly pictures of the Prophet.

There were no paintings in his life of how he looked. There are descriptions of how he looked and explanations of his facial features, but no pictures. It is regarded as idolatrous.

That is the reason that the Prophet prohibited images in the house.

But the Prophet is more defended because of the respect and reverence that we have for him.

There are some people who say that photographs are acceptable because that is not a painting. They say that a photograph does not come into that category.

But, on the whole, Muslims do not like photographs or idols. Veneration starts from the photographs and causes idolatry.

It will never change because it covers everything. Islam is a way of life. It covers every aspect of human life. There is no room for innovation or changes there. Everything is proscribed.

The best thing is the template of the life of the Prophet.

Everything was written down, it was history. But there is no rigidity, there are no extremes in Islam, no right or left.

Those who protest can protest peacefully. As they have the right to print, so they have the right to protest.

There should not be any violence.

I don't think the pictures should have been published. It only widens the gulf between Islam and the West.

Maybe they don't appreciate the reverence Muslims have for the Prophet. Maybe it was mischievous of them.

No religious faith should be caricatured, because it will create offence.

This is an abuse of the freedom of expression.

Most of the people in Islamic countries are emotional because there is more illiteracy than literacy, and that is the reason why some people go to extremes.

That is why some people take it too far.

That is not good for Islam and not good for them.

I think there must be some sort of understanding between the West and Islam.

Bashir Maan is the Scottish spokesman for the Muslim Council of Britain.