Charlie Hebdo Attack News: Ex-Malaysia PM Hits Charlie Hebdo Victims For Mocking Islam

Malaysia's former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has surprisingly criticized not the perpetrators but the victims of the deadly attack on satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, becoming the first renowned international figure to do so, The Australian reported.

"They committed despicable acts such as insulting prophet Mohammed," Mahathir was quoted as saying, hinting that the victims deserved the fate that befell them.

"They like to do caricatures regarding religious issues. This is an act of provocation," Mahathir said, sounding very much unlike other world leaders and going against the tide of global public opinion.

Mahathir made it clear that he does not condone the killings but contended that there must be respect for Islam. "What's the use of them making fun of the prophet Mohammed even when they know it will annoy Muslims? We respect their religion, and they must respect ours," he said. "Just because they feel safe and strong, they think they can do anything, even when the action won't benefit anyone."

The former Malaysian leader added that although Muslims should not kill even if provoked, there will be some who will be irked enough to do harm. "When we intentionally provoke people, we cannot anticipate their reaction. When people are upset, this is what happens. We must show respect for other people's religions," said Mahathir.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim Ali, the founder of the Malay nationalist Perkasa organization, defended last week's attack on satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo's offices that killed 12 people. "When the French government did not do anything (on the publication of caricatures against the Prophet), those insulted took the law into their own hands," Ibrahim was quoted as saying.

"This is what happens when you insult the religion of others, when you interfere with other people's religion," Ibrahim added.

Ibrahim's remarks sparked angry rejoinders, with Malaysian Chinese Association (M.C.A.) Religious Harmony Bureau Chairman Ti Lian Ker blasting Ibrahim for apparently "promoting violence and slaughter of innocents."

"There is no justification whatsoever in taking innocent lives on the slightest provocation as in this case. The police should haul up Ibrahim Ali for questioning as he seems to be promoting violence and slaughter of innocents," Ti said.

Ti said Ibrahim's move to defend the killings "grossly unacceptable and must be repudiated." He advised the Perkasa founder to "emulate our Prime Minister and Putrajaya in sincerely condemning the massacres, rather than giving an excuse for vigilantism and lawlessness."

Ti said it is wrong for the attacked magazine to mock Islam but noted that the weekly had also lampooned government authorities and even the Pope.

He also noted that France's Muslim population --the largest in Europe – "would have been offended by the caricatures but they certainly did not go on a shooting rampage nor take hostages."

"Instead, many have blended into French society holding respectable jobs like becoming police officers as in the slain policemen Ahmed Merabet who was first at the scene of the crime, or becoming lecturers and even sportsmen, the most notable being World Cup footballer Zinedine Yazid Zidane," said Ti. "French and other European Muslims also joined fellow French citizens in the night vigils while Muslims worldwide condemned the attacks."