The Star’s front page story on a Malaysian terrorist leader was accompanied by a photograph of Muslims praying at a mosque in Putrajaya. — Picture by Boo Su-LynKUALA LUMPUR, May 28 — The Star apologised today for its front page headlining a terrorist leader together with an unrelated picture of Muslims praying on the first day of Ramadan.

The local English-language daily said it has been its practice over the past decade or so to publish on the front page a picture of Muslims at the first “terawih” prayers during the Muslim fasting month.

“This year, there was an unfortunate coincidence of the lead story being of a terrorist leader, that led to many linking the headline and the picture, which was never the intention of the newspaper,” The Star said.

“On hindsight, The Star should have been more discerning and sensitive to the feelings of our Muslim readers. We sincerely apologise for the error of judgment on our part,” it added.

Leaders from both Umno Youth and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) Youth have lambasted The Star’s front page yesterday that published the headline “Malaysian terrorist leader”, which was referring to a story on former lecturer turned Islamic State terrorist Dr Mahmud Ahmad, above an image of Muslims praying at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin mosque in Putrajaya on the first day of Ramadan.

Amanah Youth chief Mohd Sany Hamzan called on the Home Ministry to take action, while Pahang Umno Youth chief Shahar Abdullah said the daily’s front page was offensive as it appeared to link terrorism to Muslims.

– See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/daily-says-sorry-over-terrorist-headline-and-muslim-prayer-image#sthash.OVGfPwA6.dpuf