The verdict, which was made public Thursday, has been condemned by some as an attack on freedom of expression and a mark of the rising tide of religious conservatism in the country since a popular uprising ousted a dictator a year ago.
Since the fall of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, a moderate Islamist party Ennahda won elections in October but has promised not to enshrine Islamic law in the new constitution. That has put it at odds with a vocal minority of hardline Muslims known as Salafis.
Tunisian society has become polarized between those demanding more religion in public life and those who want to preserve secular traditions.
Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki was a noted human rights activist under the 23-year dictatorship of Ben Ali.
His spokesman Adnan Mancer told The Associated Press on Friday that "attacks on the sacred symbols of Muslims and Islam cannot be considered part of freedom of expression."
"We are a Muslim country and so are against those who insult religions," Mancer said. "It is a form of extremism which provokes more extremist reactions which we should avoid during this delicate period."
The two men were tried after a lawyer filed a lawsuit against them. Their defense attorney, Ahmed Msallemi, said the two deserved punishment, but that he found the verdict excessive.
"While I fight for freedom of expression with all my might, I feel freedom has its limits, as (Jean Paul) Sartre said, once it harms others," he said.
Majeri is currently in being held in prison in Mahdia, in southeast Tunisia, while Jribi fled to Algeria before trial, Msallemi said.
The head of the private television station Nessma also is on trial for insulting Islam after screening the Iranian animated film "Persepolis." The film includes a portrayal of God, which is forbidden by Islam.
The trial, which continues on April 19, was the result of a suit filed by a private citizen and also has been condemned for being an attack on freedom of expression.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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