It is Islamic to accept The Star's apology over its controversial front page last Saturday, said Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) Youth.

"We urge all parties to be open and mahabbah (loving) to accept the apology, because Islam advocates compassion and forgiveness of mistakes," Amanah Youth deputy chief Faiz Fadzil said in a statement today.

The Star's front page on May 27 sparked public outcry for featuring a picture of Muslims praying under an unrelated article with the headline "Malaysian terrorist leader". 

The English daily apologised for this, explaining that it is normal practice for the newspaper to print a picture of the first terawih prayers for the year, on the first day of Ramadan.

It said it was coincidental that the first day of Ramadan on Saturday was also the same day it ran the article on terrorism.

Amanah Youth chief Mohd Sany Hamzan had been among those who called for The Star to apologise over the front page, which he said had made Muslims look bad.

Faiz said the incident served as a lesson to all, especially the media, to promote racial and religious harmony.

He also said that Amanah Youth was opposed to any action against The Star under the Sedition Act 1948 and the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (PPPA).

Police today questioned five editors and one photographer from the daily under the Sedition Act and Section 298A of the Penal Code, which criminalises causing disharmony, or hatred on religious grounds.

Besides the police probe, the Home Ministry on May 29 issued a show-cause letter instructing the daily to explain why it should not have its publication license suspended, according to provisions under the PPPA. It has to reply by June 5. 

The ministry also expressed grave disappointment over the front page, while police are investigating the daily under the Sedition Act for allegedly inciting religious enmity.