Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Khatib Maulana Obaidul Haq yesterday urged people not to incite tension or movement in the country centring the cartoon published in daily Prothom Alo's weekly Aalpin since the daily's editor personally apologised to him.

"Since the Prothom Alo editor personally came here to admit that they made a mistake, apologised and asked for forgiveness, and said they are prepared to apologise in court, we feel it is not right to wage a movement or create tension among the general people by making this an issue," said Obaidul Haq.

It is Prophet Mohammad's (PBUH) way (Sunnah) to forgive after a sincere apology, he said, adding, "We hope people will also forgive because this paper will not engage in any criticism or mockery of religion in future."

"The Ulema have agreed that it would be appropriate to forgive this; I also agree with this," the khatib said at a discussion following an iftar party organised by the Islamic Foundation.

The iftar party was attended by Law and Information Adviser Mainul Hosein, Religious Affairs Adviser Maj Gen (retd) ASM Matiur, and editors of numerous daily newspapers.

Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman yesterday apologised again for the inadvertent publication of the cartoon, and urged the Ulamas and pious people of the country to be forgiving about the incident.

The discussion was also attended by daily Jugantor Editor Golam Sarwar, Manabjamin Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, Amader Shomoy Editor Naimul Islam Khan, Pesh Imam of Baitul Mukarram Maulana Nuruddin, Tamirul Millat Aliya Madrasa Principal Maulana Jaynul Abedin, Khelafat Majlish leader Masum Billah, and leaders of Ahle Hadith Jubashangha.