Address on Al-Jazeera TV
March 26, 2006

The following statement was read by Muhammad Usamah Zuhdi, a "manager in Arla Foods, Denmark on behalf of the management of employees."

"In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. Blessings and peace be upon our prophet, all his family, and companions. Peace be upon you."

"Arla Foods condemns and denounces the cartoons. We would like to take the opportunity during the international conference in defense of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and the meeting of many Muslim scholars, popular leaders and Islamic charitable organizations in Bahrain 22 and 23 March, to talk to you and explain some important issues."

"First: Arla Foods Company strongly denounces and condemns the cartoons published by the Danish Newspaper deriding the prophet, peace and blessing be upon him. It also rejects the newspaper's justification for that incident.""

"Second: For 40 years, we have been working in the Middle East and we are part of this society. This has made us able to understand your feelings towards the regrettable and irresponsible incident. We also respect your reaction of boycotting our products."

"Third: During that long period, we have known the Islamic culture and values and know that justice and tolerance are basic teaching of the Islamic religion. Based on this, we wish you would reconsider your stand towards us. We are fully prepared to work together in order to reach a solution to the problem of boycotting our products."

"Arla Foods is a Danish-Swedish cooperative company owned by farmers. It has many Muslim shareholders and investors from Arab countries. Furthermore, more than 1,000 Muslims are working as employees in this company in the Arab and Islamic countries and more than 250 Muslims in Europe. All of them are suffering due to the losses incurred in the region by the company although they are not guilty of anything. Others share the blame. They also condemn and denounce this act."

"We are proud of our success in serving you for many years. We offer products, such as Laura, Puck, Dan and the Three Cows, which are high quality products that gained your trust. Now, after explaining our stance and you have learnt who we are, we leave the issue to your justice and fairness."