Okay to say 'Islamist militants'
The press ombudsman has declined a request to ban the use of the words "Islamist militants" and "militant Islam" from newspaper reports.
This emerged in a letter yesterday from ombudsman Johan Retief to United Muslim Nations International, which made the request.
Retief said he could not instruct publications on editorial content or policy as that amounted to censorship.
Retief did not feel the terms in question crossed "ethical borders".
Sheik Faarooq al Mohammedi of the Muslim group said it would appeal against the decision.
United Muslim Nations International maintained the use of terms like " Islamist militants" and "militant Islam" was defamatory and highly offensive, he said.
"Our aim is to prevent all forms of extremism and we want to prevent a clash of civilisations."
According to the independent news website WND, Al Mohammedi is the author of a 23-page booklet containing a plan to "wipe Christianity from the face of the earth".
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