A Romford eBay trader “cashed in on tragedy” today when they sold a print of the controversial Charlie Hebdo front cover.

Muslims in Havering described the situation as “provocative” and “hurtful”. Others called it “sick” and “wrong”.

The cover of this week’s edition of the French satirical magazine – whose offices were targeted by Islamist gunmen in a deadly attack last Wednesday – depicts the Prophet Muhammad crying and saying “Je suis Charlie” (I am Charlie) under the headline “All is forgiven”.

Five million copies of the publication are being printed, with some going on sale in the UK today. Demand has been so high, copies are being resold on eBay with a significant mark-up. A framed front cover print, not the full edition, was sold on the site yesterday for £51 after six bids. The seller was described as being from Romford.

The secretary of the Havering Islamic Cultural Centre, Waterloo Road, said the item was offensive to Muslims in Havering.

“On behalf of the Havering Islamic Centre it’s quite hurtful,” said Pervez Badruddin. “The guy who is doing this, he’s doing it to make money.”

He added the move was “provocative” while condemning the attacks in Paris as acts of “madness”.

Others on social media were critical of the listing.

Victoria Barrett (@VictoriaBarrett) tweeted: “Making money out of murder.”

Deborah Minton wrote on Facebook: “Cashing in on a terrible tragedy...just wrong.”

Shannon Johanna Law added: “Such a sad thing that happened and it’s sick that someone wants to make money on it, eBay should not allow it.”

The Recorder has chosen not to publish Charlie Hebdo’s front cover. Charlie Tango wrote on Facebook: “You’ve edited the cover out? Thought the press supported free speech. Disappointed.”