A Muslim organisation here has taken a strong exception to the depiction of Prophet Muhammad in a class IV book of the ICSE board.

The founder of Sunni Markaz, Syed Maulana Hashmi Kichachauvi, said the Prophet has been depicted in lesson "Being good and gentle" in the book 'Moral Education Ethics' prescribed for class IV of the ICSE board.

The maulana claimed that about eight lakh copies of the book have already been sold and demanded that central government tender an apology within three days and recall all such books from the market.

"Otherwise we would be forced to take the help of the court and launch protest through democratic means," he told reporters.

The maulana said that if the said picture has been published without the knowledge of the Centre then a case should be filed against the board as well as the publisher.

"Islam prohibits depiction through photo and presenting it in a cartoon form is also a show of disrespect", he said.

Member of the Markaz, S M Sahil, said his organisation has already lodged its objection in this regard with the National Minorities Commission and their reply was awaited.