The joint statement was issued by Archbishop John Dew (Catholic), Archbishops David Moxon and Brown Turei (Anglican), Bishops Justin Duckworth and Richard Randerson (Anglican), Federation of Islamic Associations President Anwar Ghani and Wellington Regional Jewish Council Chairperson David Zwartz, supported by Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres.

They said that "The film, 'The Innocence of Muslims', was dishonestly made and presented, and designed to mislead, provoke hate, and cause harm. We unequivocally condemn the making and promotion of this irresponsible and inflammatory film and the resulting violence, which has seen the loss of innocent lives".

"We call on all faith communities in New Zealand to remain calm and to strive to foster mutual understanding, counter hate, and promote dialogue, within and between our communities".

Media for Christ, a New Zealand website, has been attacked because it shares a name with the US-based group that reportedly produced 'The Innocence of Muslims' and it pops up at the top of many internet searches for that name.

The NZ Media for Christ says it is is not in the business of hate speech, but instead concerned with disseminating "Christian material - from godly apologists, evangelists, preachers and prophets - to be shared with the church at large".

And they've added a message on their front page confirming that they have nothing to do with their American namesakes.

The Human Rights Commission, the Anglican and Catholic Bishops, the New Zealand Federation of Islamic Associations and the New Zealand Council of Christians and Jews are all supporters of the Statement on Religious Diversity (2007) which affirms that "the right to freedom of expression and freedom of the media are vital for democracy but should be exercised with responsibility."

Source

• The Human Rights Commission
• The New Zealand Listener
• Image: Ahmad Ali Karim's Weblog

"We reject any allegation that the Coptic Orthodox community has contributed to the production of this film," the Coptic Orthodox Archdiocese said in a statement Friday, denouncing the Copts who reportedly produced and promoted the film.

"Indeed, the producers of this film have taken these unwise and offensive actions independently and should be held responsible for their own actions."

The movie was filmed on a Hollywood set, and its permit has been linked to a Christian charity.

Joseph Nassralla Abdelmasih, Nakoula Basseley Nakoula and Morris Sadek, Coptic Christians who live in the United States, have emerged as the producers and promoters of the crude anti-Muslim film that depicts Islam's Prophet Muhammad as a bumbling sexual pervert.

The Vatican too has issued the "firmest possible condemnation".

Vatican spokesman, Fr Federico Lombardi S.J., said that nothing can "justify the activity of terrorist organizations and homicidal violence."

Lombardi's first statement on the attacks that expressed sadness, mourning and the promise of prayers had been criticized as "outrageous" by Catholic commentator Phil Lawler.

"Four American diplomats are killed, and a Vatican spokesman responds not by condemning the killings but by insisting that we should respect the sensitivities of Muslims. Outrageous!" he wrote on the Catholic Culture website.

"The first order of business, for civilized people, is a clear, unequivocal, and absolute condemnation of the killings."

Nassralla heads a Christian charity, Nakoula is a convicted felon and Sadek is an incendiary activist. Coptic leaders said they are investigating what ties, if any, the men have to mainstream Copts in the United States.

Currently, and despite a request from the White House, Google does not plan to remove the anti-Muslim film, but will restrict access to it in certain countries.

Sources

• Huffington Post
• The Examiner
• Huffington Post
• Catholic Culture (opinion)
• Image: SMH