Mohammed cartoons: Don't mock religions

Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi said Wednesday that religions must not be mocked after French weekly Charlie Hebdo caused outrage in the Muslim world by printing cartoons featuring Islam's Prophet Mohammed. The development comes after a wave of violence sparked last week by an American-produced film that allegedly ridicules Mohammed. Terzi said some people in the West were guilty of "irresponsible sensationalism" by abusing "deep religious sensibilities that must be respected" for personal advantage. "Religions are fundamental, they are important for many billions of people, and no one should allow themselves to mock them or joke about these values," added the minister. "Let's not forget that it is possible to prosecute those who offend religion under Italy's criminal code". "I think this should be a common principle to all the countries of the world".