OTTAWA, Feb. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- A coalition of Muslim groups praised Canadians on Friday for their non-violent reaction to caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad that have sparked violent protests around the world.

    Canada's response to the cartoons have struck a balance between freedom of expression and protecting people from hate and racism, the coalition said at a news conference in Ottawa.

    Group spokeswoman Tyseer Aboulnasr also praised Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay, saying they have emphasized responsible expression while condemning the violent reaction to the cartoons.

    The coalition includes the Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Canadian Council of Muslim Women, the Canadian Muslim Civil Liberties Association and the Canadian Arab Federation.

    Only a handful of Canadian newspapers have published the cartoons. A university newspaper in Halifax published the cartoons earlier this month, but school administrators ordered the paper to be withdrawn saying it shows no respect for others' feelings.

    Muslims have organized peaceful demonstrations in Montreal and Halifax, causing no disorder. Enditem