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Muhammad cartoon row leads to resignation | Muhammad cartoon row leads to resignation |
(about 3 hours later) | |
By Catrin Nye and Athar Ahmad BBC Asian Network | By Catrin Nye and Athar Ahmad BBC Asian Network |
The president of a London university atheist society has resigned over a row about an image of the Prophet Muhammad. | The president of a London university atheist society has resigned over a row about an image of the Prophet Muhammad. |
The society at University College London (UCL) published an image on its Facebook page showing "Jesus and Mo" having a drink at a bar. | The society at University College London (UCL) published an image on its Facebook page showing "Jesus and Mo" having a drink at a bar. |
The atheist group was asked by the UCL union to remove it, but refused and started a petition defending its freedom of expression. | |
A student Muslim group began a counter-petition asking for its removal. | |
UCL's Atheist, Secularist and Humanist society said its president Robbie Yellon was stepping down to be replaced by former vice president Michael Thor. | |
"Robbie stepped aside because he signed up as president to organise events and run a student society," said Michael Paynter, secretary for the National Federation of Atheist, Humanist and Secular Student Societies. | "Robbie stepped aside because he signed up as president to organise events and run a student society," said Michael Paynter, secretary for the National Federation of Atheist, Humanist and Secular Student Societies. |
"He did not appreciate the stress he would be under when dealing with a controversy like this, so he wanted to make way for someone else." | "He did not appreciate the stress he would be under when dealing with a controversy like this, so he wanted to make way for someone else." |
'No need' | 'No need' |
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association is continuing with its protest against the image, saying it has wider implications. | The Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association is continuing with its protest against the image, saying it has wider implications. |
Adam Walker, the association's national spokesperson, said the two student groups had worked well together in the past and said the offence was unnecessary. | Adam Walker, the association's national spokesperson, said the two student groups had worked well together in the past and said the offence was unnecessary. |
"The principle is more important than who is being attacked - this time it is Muslims and Christians but in the future it could be atheists themselves. | "The principle is more important than who is being attacked - this time it is Muslims and Christians but in the future it could be atheists themselves. |
"There is no need to print these things other than to cause offence and history has told us that these things cause offence." | "There is no need to print these things other than to cause offence and history has told us that these things cause offence." |
He added: "I wouldn't say we're specifically pursuing UCL atheist society, it's more about the broader principle." | He added: "I wouldn't say we're specifically pursuing UCL atheist society, it's more about the broader principle." |
The image that started the controversy was taken from an online satirical comic called Jesus and Mo. | The image that started the controversy was taken from an online satirical comic called Jesus and Mo. |
The twice-weekly comic strip, running since 2005, depicts Jesus and what creators say is a "body double" of Muhammad talking to a barmaid. | |
The row has prompted debate on the internet with prominent academic and author Richard Dawkins backing the atheist society. | The row has prompted debate on the internet with prominent academic and author Richard Dawkins backing the atheist society. |
UCL Union (UCLU) said in a statement: "The atheist society has agreed they will take more consideration when drawing up publicity for future events. | UCL Union (UCLU) said in a statement: "The atheist society has agreed they will take more consideration when drawing up publicity for future events. |
"The society was asked to remove the image because UCLU aims to foster good relations between different groups of students and create a safe environment where all students can benefit from societies regardless of their religious or other beliefs." | "The society was asked to remove the image because UCLU aims to foster good relations between different groups of students and create a safe environment where all students can benefit from societies regardless of their religious or other beliefs." |
You can hear more on this story on Asian Network Reports on the BBC Asian Network. | You can hear more on this story on Asian Network Reports on the BBC Asian Network. |
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