'Newsweek' to be banned in KL

'Newsweek' to be banned in KL

MALAYSIA: Kuala Lumpur will ban an issue of Newsweek magazine showing an image of the Prophet Mohammad, Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi said on Wednesday, joining a chorus of regional protests.

Answering questions about the magazine's Feb. 11 issue, he said: "Normally, if publications contain photographs said to be that of the Prophet Mohammad or such figures, the law of the country would have been violated.

"As such, we will not allow the edition to be circulated."

Neighboring Indonesia's highest Islamic authority said on Wednesday it had urged the withholding of the same issue to prevent a possible backlash by Muslims.

Bangladesh said on Friday it had confiscated all copies of the controversial issue and banned any further sale or distribution for fear the publication of the prophet's image "may hurt the religious feelings of Muslims". --AFP