Originally posted by John Galt
Man apologises for bomber protest
Omar Khayam dressed as a suicide bomber in London
Watch the apology
A man who dressed as a suicide bomber during a protest about cartoons satirising the Prophet Muhammad has apologised for his behaviour.
Omar Khayam, 22, from Bedford, "wholeheartedly" apologised to the families of the 7 July bombings.
He likened his own "insensitive" behaviour to the "provocative and controversial" cartoon publication.
Downing Street has said the behaviour of some Muslim protesters in London was "completely unacceptable".
No protesters at the demonstration on Friday and Saturday outside the Danish embassy - over cartoons first printed in a Danish newspaper - were arrested.
But Scotland Yard has said a special squad is investigating the protests and has promised a "swift" inquiry.
Mr Khayam read out his apology outside his Bedford home.
"I found the pictures deeply offensive as a Muslim and I felt the Danish newspaper had been provocative and controversial, deeply offensive and insensitive.
"Just because we have the right of free speech and a free media, it does not mean we may say and do as we please and not take into account the effect it will have on others.
I understand it was wrong, unjustified and insensitive of me to protest in this way
Omar Khayam
'Swift' police demo probe
"But by me dressing the way I did, I did just that, exactly the same as the Danish newspaper, if not worse."
He said his method of protest had offended many people, especially the families of the July bombing victims.
"This was not my intention.
"What happened in July was a tragedy and un-Islamic.
"I do not condone these murderous acts, do not support terrorism or extremism and would like to apologise unreservedly and wholeheartedly to the families of the victims."
He added: "I understand it was wrong, unjustified and insensitive of me to protest in this way."
Asif Nadim, from a Bedford mosque, said the Muslim community distanced itself from Mr Khayam's actions and supported his apology.
"Looking at this from an Islamic point of view, this was totally un-Islamic.
"We distance ourselves from the act that he has actually caused and the pain that he has caused for the families of the victims of the London bombings."
He said Mr Khayam was "very, very ashamed" of his actions and hoped that it would be the end of the matter.
Home Secretary Charles Clarke said any decisions on arrest and prosecution were "properly matters for the police and prosecution authorities".
He said that the reaction to the cartoons across Britain had "in general been respectful and restrained".
Oh well that's alright then, don't worry about it, no problem
Omar Khayam dressed as a suicide bomber in London
Watch the apology
A man who dressed as a suicide bomber during a protest about cartoons satirising the Prophet Muhammad has apologised for his behaviour.
Omar Khayam, 22, from Bedford, "wholeheartedly" apologised to the families of the 7 July bombings.
He likened his own "insensitive" behaviour to the "provocative and controversial" cartoon publication.
Downing Street has said the behaviour of some Muslim protesters in London was "completely unacceptable".
No protesters at the demonstration on Friday and Saturday outside the Danish embassy - over cartoons first printed in a Danish newspaper - were arrested.
But Scotland Yard has said a special squad is investigating the protests and has promised a "swift" inquiry.
Mr Khayam read out his apology outside his Bedford home.
"I found the pictures deeply offensive as a Muslim and I felt the Danish newspaper had been provocative and controversial, deeply offensive and insensitive.
"Just because we have the right of free speech and a free media, it does not mean we may say and do as we please and not take into account the effect it will have on others.
I understand it was wrong, unjustified and insensitive of me to protest in this way
Omar Khayam
'Swift' police demo probe
"But by me dressing the way I did, I did just that, exactly the same as the Danish newspaper, if not worse."
He said his method of protest had offended many people, especially the families of the July bombing victims.
"This was not my intention.
"What happened in July was a tragedy and un-Islamic.
"I do not condone these murderous acts, do not support terrorism or extremism and would like to apologise unreservedly and wholeheartedly to the families of the victims."
He added: "I understand it was wrong, unjustified and insensitive of me to protest in this way."
Asif Nadim, from a Bedford mosque, said the Muslim community distanced itself from Mr Khayam's actions and supported his apology.
"Looking at this from an Islamic point of view, this was totally un-Islamic.
"We distance ourselves from the act that he has actually caused and the pain that he has caused for the families of the victims of the London bombings."
He said Mr Khayam was "very, very ashamed" of his actions and hoped that it would be the end of the matter.
Home Secretary Charles Clarke said any decisions on arrest and prosecution were "properly matters for the police and prosecution authorities".
He said that the reaction to the cartoons across Britain had "in general been respectful and restrained".
Oh well that's alright then, don't worry about it, no problem
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