In Turkey, a predominantly Muslim-populated and secular country, maybe the weightiest reaction against the publication of cartoons featuring the Prophet Muhammad in European newspapers, has come from representatives of non-Muslim citizens who conveyed strong statements of solidarity on side with the Muslim world.

Spiritual leaders of non-Muslim Turkish citizens have with one accord denounced the publication of the cartoons. Armenian Patriarch Mesrob Mutafyan stated that what's been violated most were "moral values, but not freedom of expression."

"As children of the Prophet Abraham, we express sorrow and regret over the disrespect [shown] to the prophet of Islam ... and we pray together with our Muslim brothers for divine love to prevail across the world," a joint statement signed by Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartolomeos, Mutafyan and the spiritual leaders of several other smaller Christian communities said.

"Democratic freedom doesn't give anyone the right to aggravate religions, prophets, holy books and values," Turkey's Chief Rabbi Isak Haleva and Silvyo Ovadya, head of the Jewish community in Turkey, said in a separate joint statement.

Prompted by increasing tension and the crisis' current and potential effect on the Danish economy, Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Friday gathered more than 70 ambassadors for a meeting. Officials from the Turkish Embassy to Denmark described the meeting as "good and positive" without elaborating. 

Source:Turkishdailynews