This is a message released by the Coordination Committee of the Jordanian Media Campaign entitled "The Messenger of Allah Unites Us"

  The media bears an important and vital responsibility to inform and educate society in a manner that promotes positive values and principles. Hence, it must scrupulously ensure that its actions do not lead to strife or discord. More especially, it must not endorse or encourage any view that has the potential to disparage any racial, religious or ethnic group.   

When a newspaper in Denmark first published cartoons of the Prophet (pbuh) there was a huge uproar. Muslims around the world were deeply offended. This was understandable because Muslims hold the Prophet in very high reverence and any depiction of him even in a normal drawing or sketch is unacceptable. What made the issue more deeply offensive was that both the Prophet and Islam were mocked at in a series of cartoons. One may excuse this action if was done in ignorance. However, after the cartoons were published and Muslims responded with anger the publishers were unrepentant, indicating that they had deliberately set out to provoke.  

The claim that they are exercising their right to freedom of expression is a hollow one. Freedom of expression is not unlimited. It must be exercised with responsibility.  No one has the freedom to denigrate, mock, vilify and insult the religious symbols of any religion especially that which is held in such high esteem. To insult the Prophet in this manner was to invite the wrath of the Muslims worldwide. It is perfectly understandable that Muslims were extremely incensed and sometimes this anger reached a fervor that could not be controlled and translated into destruction to person and property. The blame for this must be placed directly at the feet of the publishers of the cartoons.  

It was clear that the publishers of the cartoons were part of the wider campaign to demonize Islam and Muslim by those who wish to sow discord between Islam and the West. The thin veneer of ‘freedom of expression’ has never been applied to a discussion that questions the Holocaust. Hence, it must be concluded that Islam is being deliberately targeted.  

The deeply held religious convictions and sensitivities of 1.4 billion have been trampled upon in the most brutal manner. 

The matter has now reached a critical stage. One might have expected that the perpetrators of these evil actions would have contemplated the consequences of their actions and decided to desist from creating any further mischief. This was not to be. The recent republication of the cartoons by 17 Danish newspapers shows that they are defiantly provoking the Muslim world once again.  

This is a message to the government and people of Denmark and is also addressed to the world at large. This statement represents the sentiments of the media in Jordan -- speaking in one united voice. The declaration known as the ‘Amman Message’ is Jordan’s contribution to creating understanding about Islam to promote peace in the world.

We call on the media in the Arab and wider Muslim world to be vigilant and act decisively to foil the plans of all those who wish to create division and disharmony between different religious groups.    

We also call upon all media organizations to play a responsible role by initiating regular awareness campaigns to enhance the spirit of tolerance between all nations and abide by the universally acknowledged principles governing the noble profession of journalism. 

We also call all in the Arab and Islamic media to lend their support to this campaign and coordinate with other organizations in every country to ensure its sustainability.

Members of the Committee:

Dr. Zakaria al-Sheikh             (Fact International weekly)

Fayez Al Ajrashi                       (Al Ekhbareyeh weekly)

Imad Shahin                              ( Al Muwajahah weekly)