McIntyre, a prominent campaigner against the Iraq war, is also a member of the Palestinian Solidarity Group.

The decision to publish was taken after an appeal by 12 international writers, including Salman Rushdie, for the cartoons to be reproduced wherever possible as an act of solidarity with the original publishers. The cartoons include one of Mohammed with a turban shaped as a bomb.

Jamal Iweida of the Belfast Islamic Centre said: "We're against any pictures of the prophets but especially an untrue image of Mohammed, who is a prophet of mercy for all humanity.

"This will inflame hatred against Muslims in Northern Ireland. It will cause more discrimination, attacks, and verbal abuse. Muslims suffer enough racism already. I can't understand how someone who believes in justice and equality could publish something like this."

McIntyre said publishing the cartoons upheld fundamental principles:

"The Blanket was set up because of the overwhelming censorship Sinn Fein imposes on working-class nationalist areas. Secularism and anti-censorship are two values republicanism holds dear.

We are publishing these images in defence of freedom of expression. People associated with the cartoons have received death threats. Islamic fundamentalists have killed people who have challenged their beliefs. We cannot give in to fascists, no matter who they are."

McIntyre denied The Blanket was raising racial tensions and stereotyping Muslims.

"We aren't humiliating anyone. We are questioning a belief system which ordains the repression of certain groups including women and homosexuals. If you criticise Nazism, it doesn't make you anti-German. It's absolute nonsense to claim The Blanket is racist."