Signs reading Je Suis Charlie stand on parliamentarians desk at the European Parliment in Strasbourg on Tuesday to remember the victims of the terror attacks on the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine and a Jewish kosher supermarket in France. Photograph: EPA

A set of guidelines for Muslims on how to deal with images depicting the prophet Muhammad has been published by the Islamic Educational & Cultural Centre Ireland.

In response to the murder of members its editorial staff in Paris last week, the cover of the upcoming Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine features a cartoon of the prophet. Depictions of Muhammad are considered taboo in Islam. The image has been widely republished by news and media organisations.

The Islamic centre said the publishing of cartoons that insult or make fun of the prophet Muhammad will hurt the sentiments of 1.8 billion Muslims around the world.

The guidelines call on Muslims to repond by reflecting the teachings of Muhammad: patience, tolerance, gentleness and mercy.

The guidelines, written by Shaykh Umar Al-Qadri, president and imam Al-Mustafa Islamic Educational & Cultural Centre Ireland, are published in full below:

1. For every Muslim, love of the prophet is a necessary part of his/her faith. He is dearer to us than our mothers, fathers, sons and daughters. We prefer him to our own self.

2. The publishing of cartoons that insult or make fun of the Prophet Muhammad will hurt the sentiments of 1.8 billion Muslims around the world, as well as millions of non-Muslims who respect the great personality of prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

3. Muslims do believe in freedom of speech. And they do respect the right for people to say what they believe to be correct. However, we all know that there is no such thing as absolute free speech. There are laws to protect the dignity and properties of people. We urge all decent minded governments and individuals to respect these sensitivities, as we should respect all races and religions. In the struggle for freedom of speech it was never the intention to extend freedom of speech to making fun of insulting customs, traditions, personalities that are sacred to a particular community.

4. As it is clear that the cartoons are to be published again, Muslims will inevitably be hurt, offended and upset, but our reaction must be a reflection of the teachings of the one we love and are offended for. Enduring patience, tolerance, gentleness and mercy as was the character of our beloved prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is the best and immediate way to respond.

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Irish Islamic centre publishes guidelines on Muhammad images