The statement expressed resentment especially at the reprint of the satirical cartoons by newspapers in France, Germany, Norway, Holland, Switzerland, Hungary and Iceland.

"Printing the cartoons and reprinting them in about a dozen European newspapers cannot be justified in the name of freedom of speech," said the statement.

"It is part of a deep-rooted conspiracy against the Muslims. A certain quarter is perhaps trying to instigate the crusade of the 21st century."

The statement also demanded that the governments of the countries where the cartoons were printed and reprinted should seek unconditional apology from the publishers to mitigate the ongoing tension.

It also urged all to exercise restraint in the face of provocation to uphold the image of Bangladesh as a liberal and democratic country.

The signatories include, former chief of caretaker government Justice Latifur Rahman, former chief election commissioner Abdur Rouf, former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University Emazuddin Ahmed, Dr Shamsher Ali, Chairman of Sonali Bank Managing Committee Prof Mahbub Ullah, columnist Sadeq Khan, Editor of Madina Muhiuddin Khan, former state minister for foreign affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury, former director of Islamic Foundation Syed Ashraf Ali, Editor of Khabarpatra Gias Kamal Chowdhury, Editor of New Nation Mostafa Kamal Majumder, Editor of Sangram Abul Asad, Editor of Naya Diganta Alamgir Mohiuddin, Editor of weekly Holiday Syed Kamal Uddin, Director General of Shilpakala Academy Ahmad Nazir, journalists Atiqul Alam and Gaziul Hasan Khan.