Muslim reaction to Danish cartoons of Prophet Muhammad remind some of Rushdie's experience
By: JAN M. OLSEN - Associated Press | ∞
Demonstrators protest against the Danish daily newspaper Jyllands-Posten at the City Hall Square in Denmark's capital of Copenhagen in this Oct. 14 file photo, after the paper had printed cartoon drawings depicting the Prophet Muhammad.
Associated Press
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COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- It was a provocative exercise: asking cartoonists to draw pictures of the Prophet Muhammad that were published in one of Denmark's largest papers.
But apparently no one at the Jyllands-Posten daily imagined the scale of the fallout: Death threats against the artists, protest strikes in Kashmir, condemnation from Muslim leaders worldwide and even criticism from the U.N.
"I'm very surprised that the reactions have been so sharp, very shocked, and I find the death threats against the cartoonists to be horrible and out of proportion," Carsten Juste, chief editor of Jyllands-Posten, told The Associated Press. He said the pictures were not meant to offend.
The paper refuses to apologize for publishing the drawings Sept. 30, citing freedom of speech -- a right cherished in this northern European country of 5.4 million that also refused to prosecute an artist who depicted a crucified Jesus Christ with an erection.
One cartoon shows Muhammad wearing a turban shaped as a bomb with a burning fuse. Another portrays him with a bushy gray beard and holding a sword, his eyes covered by a black rectangle. A third pictures a middle-aged prophet standing in the desert with a walking stick in front of a donkey and a sunset. A fourth depicts a schoolboy near a blackboard.
"If we apologize, we go against the freedom of speech that generations before us have struggled to win," Juste said.
The paper had asked 40 cartoonists to draw images of the prophet. That idea alone would be enough to offend many Muslims, since Sunni Islam bars depiction of any prophet from the Quran out of concern that such images could lead to idolatry.
"The Quran clearly forbids anyone from belittling a prophet, whether Jesus Christ, Abraham or Muhammad -- peace and blessings be upon them -- and it stresses they must be accorded utmost respect," said Ragab Zaki, a Muslim Sunni senior cleric at Egypt's Ministry of Endowments.
"Ridiculing any prophet is a crime, according to the Quran," he said.
Critics say the drawings in Jyllands-Posten were particularly insulting because some appeared to ridicule Muhammad.
"Those cartoons are very offensive to every Muslim feeling, and to Islam as a religion," said Abdel Moeti Bayoumi, a theology professor at Al-Azhar University in Cairo. "Do you expect Muslims to remain silent or rise to defend their religion?"
The turmoil comes a year after Dutch filmmaker Theo Van Gogh was murdered in Amsterdam by a Muslim radical because he made a film critical of Islam. It also revives memories of the 1989 death threat against writer Salman Rushdie over his portrayal of Muhammad in "The Satanic Verses."
The paper's culture editor, Flemming Rose, came up with the idea after the author of a children's book on religion said its illustrator demanded anonymity because he feared retaliation for a picture of the prophet.
Juste said the newspaper's intention "was to examine whether people would succumb to self-censorship, as we have seen in other cases when it comes to Muslim issues." Twelve artists participated.
After the drawings were published, 11 ambassadors from Muslim countries signed a letter of protest to Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen. But his government has refused to intervene.
"As prime minister I have no tool whatsoever to take actions against the media and I don't want that kind of tool," Fogh Rasmussen said Oct. 24.
Still, Danes were caught off guard by the furor.
Lise Poulsen Galal, an anthropologist at the University of Copenhagen, noted that 85 percent of Danes belong to the state Lutheran church and tend to think of others as guests. Three percent of the population is Muslim.
The drawings have been a topic in Muslim chat rooms on the Internet, and two cartoons were posted on the newspaper's Web site.
The Danish Foreign Ministry said the youth auxiliary of Pakistan's largest Islamic group, Jamaat-e-Islami, offered a reward of about $8,000 for killing the cartoonists. But spokesmen for the group say they have not made such threats, which Denmark's intelligence service has also downplayed.
In Indian-controlled Kashmir, many shops and businesses shut down Thursday after Islamic separatists and religious groups called a strike to "protest the outrage felt by Muslims over the insulting cartoons," separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani said in a statement.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the drawings during a visit to Denmark last month.
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour was investigating the matter.
"I understand your attitude to the images that appeared in the newspaper," Arbour wrote the Organization of the Islamic Conference. "I find alarming any behaviors that disregard the beliefs of others. This kind of thing is unacceptable."
Associated Press writers Christian Wienberg in Copenhagen, Salah Nasrawi in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and Maggie Michael and Paki Amer in Cairo, Egypt, contributed to this report.
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John wrote on Dec 14, 2005 7:07 AM:Wow, to think that in the United States businesses and schools cannot say Christmas, but rather "Holiday" didn't get this much attention. I wonder if it's because the freedoms of the majority are hampered by the minority view. We now have the option of not reading what we don't want to read. If this was printed on a billboard for all to see, then it would be wrong. But it was in a newspaper, which must be purchased to view. So take your 50 Euros and buy a different paper. In fact, don't read at all. This will keep your sensitive eyes shielded from the "hate and discontent" of the world towards innocent people. By innocent, I mean the minority who are offended.
Deryl wrote on Feb 1, 2006 6:24 PM:This story should help everyone understand why Islam is the religion of terrorism. It has contributed nothing to the world but ignorance, violence, and suffering. The day will come when the civilized world will finally say "enough is enough" and stamp out Islam completely.
mike wrote on Feb 1, 2006 6:29 PM:i think this shows how much hates that chrstian have for the muslis
yusuf wrote on Feb 1, 2006 6:38 PM:my best advace for muslis people is to stay your own counries regarless of living'
Karim wrote on Feb 2, 2006 2:22 AM:What i can say as a muslim that we are not againest any media freedom and i know there is misunderstanding,my wife told me one day why you are upset from me ,i told her the reason,she then replyed how can i understand you without knowing the reason? she was right,so in islam it is forbidden to draw any prophit(not our prohpit only)and in europe they may not know that is a so sensitive case to islam as they didnt touch this area before so i can understand there feelings when they surperised by muslim community action ,but really i'm repeating ,we are not against freedom but if i'm telling you please discuss with me any thing you would like but dont touch this area (any religion has its sensitve areas which may be differ)because it is so painful to me,will you do it again?
B. Franklin wrote on Feb 2, 2006 3:14 AM:Since they started the beheading craze, & since they wish we would go back to our "roots", I say lets bring back scalping enemies, lets boycott their oil, & when they develop nukes... well whip out the old testament "an eye for an eye". Where is their respect for our judeo-christian views?
Rhea wrote on Feb 2, 2006 6:45 AM:I think it is really sad and pathetic that we have reached that state. You never see Muslims makeing fun of christianity or judaism, we never see a European Paper making fun of the Vatican? or Hinduism? or Buddisim? yes as an Arab and Muslim, i believe in freedom of speech, but when its abused, then the whole concept is a mockery. We have to respect other people's cultures and beliefs no matter how bizzare or ridiculous it may seem to you, it just makes sense to that person. Freedom of speech in the press is about relaying true facts/happenings to the world not giving your personal opinion (with no scholary references). What is so bad about Islam that for centuries it has been attacked? the reason is very simple, any new religion is always attacked because high officials fear losing the power and control they have if they actually allow such a religion to grow. This is not just with Islam, it started with Judaism, then Christianity and now Islam. It is all about power. You know if people actually bother to read and open their minds instead of being ignorant about Islam and going ahead discussing it as if they were experts when they obviously know nothing and rely on third-rate information that has been molded so many times that the truth has been lost forever, then maybe there could be still a chance for all of humanity. It would be nice if people actually tried to educate themselves and read, and pass their own judgements (good or bad) but at least not be brainwashed, can't anyone think for himself anymore? go read and educate yourself.
anis wrote on Feb 2, 2006 10:34 AM:I really second B. Franklin's smart idea: let's boycott Arab oil. Smart idea! Let's see what might happen if we did. For starters, we would freeze to death in this bloody winter, then we would live in the dark for three forths of the day and we'd have to go back to the middle ages and stuck up to afghanistan's level of technology with horses and carriages and candle lighting, pigeon mail. Half of our patients would pass away and we'd have to pay 400 dollars the barrel of oil that we can put our hands on, so a ball of plastic would cost 20 dollars instead of 2. So for heaven's sake think twice before pulling such great ideas out of you know where!!! and how about we respect people beliefs and sacred symbols instead?? it seems to me a much more humane, civilzed and responsible than engaging in labeling the symbol of over a billion people as a terrorist. Doesn't it? And yes I won't go to the nuke them idea. That one is truly great!
J wrote on Feb 2, 2006 11:23 AM:I think that people should do the research. Due diligence. Instead of making an ignorant statement as Deryl did. There are so many uplifting contributions made by Islam that it is really pathetic to think that wiping out Islam would be the world’s salvation. We are all human beings and there are fanatics and leftists in all religions. We should try to do uplifting actions for the world community and not be swayed by the opinion of a few that have the power to manipulate public consciousness for their own pride and profit. Let's think first then act. I am sure that most do not know of what to expect after death. Weather you believe or not use your imagination for a moment. Think about how it would be to live in the hell fire for eternity. This is the inescapable destination and abode of ALL who wrong the creator and his creation. I challenge whoever reads this to read and understand the Koran. It is translated into many different languages. Read the entire book and then rethink your current position. Thank you for your time. GOD Bless.
Fox wrote on Feb 2, 2006 12:13 PM:This shows how much the world is willing to cower in the face of threats and violence. We are FREE to express our ideas!! I'm sorry but once you let an outside group control your freedom...you are no longer free! They only reinforce the image they dissagree with when they threaten to kill the cartoonist who drew the picture! Obviously they feel free to murder!
D wrote on Feb 2, 2006 2:05 PM:Rhea... you say we should read and educate ourselves, when was the last time you read the BIBLE? you say, each one should read and pass his own judgement, where you do get your judgement about who Christ is and His death on the Cross, from reading the Bible that proclaims His life or by being taught second-hand that He's just a prophet?... when did you ever read the Bible and make YOUR OWN judgement?
samantha wrote on Feb 2, 2006 2:13 PM:you're right rhea, i've never seen/heard muslims making fun of christianity or judiasm. no, they only tear apart that which has been written in the bible and claim it to be false.
Bruce wrote on Feb 2, 2006 2:43 PM:More people have been killed in the name of religion than for any other reason. It is time for us to realize that all religions are "man made" devices designed to guide behavior of the masses and to ensure that those in privileged positions remain in those positions . . . Just take a look at a religion that promotes a caste system - ensuring that those lucky enough to be born in the higher caste remain there along with their offspring during their lifetime. How convenient is that? Where do you think this originated from? My bet is from someone in the privileged sect and who wanted to ensure he stayed there along with his offspring. Christianity is not much different - Rome has benefitted monetarily over the centuries by promoting its religion.
Ed wrote on Feb 2, 2006 10:52 PM:The world is a better place without Muslims and their hate religion of Islam. God help us all from the evil of that so called "religion". How can any God justify the massacre of over 300 children in Beslan, Russia in the name of "Allah"? This is Satan in the world today, make no mistake about it. Ed Chicago,USA
Maya wrote on Feb 3, 2006 7:18 AM:As a young Muslim i think it is our generation that will shape the future. And a future that involves stereotypes and does not respect religous icons is not one we are trying to build.Regardless of the religion whether hinduism or buddhism, the sacred respected icons and figures should not be mocked, not just in Islam. However, I totally agree with freedom of expression. But understand that its not just the Muslim citizens who dont want to see just sacrsim ( because they can simply not purchase the newspaperss) but they dont want their relgion to be degraded in front of the rest of the world who happen to buy those newspapers. With all the awareness and knowledge we have today there remains those who associate terrorism with Islam. this is plain ignorance. Where are the morals and values that Christianity calls for such as respecting other religions? Extremists exist not only in Islam. those who call for wiping out Muslims seem to me as terrorists themselves and whoever uses such a threat I believe should be arrested by the CIA as a possible terrorist just like a Muslim would be if he/she were to threaten a non Muslim. Get real people and think outside your boxes!
Marcos wrote on Feb 3, 2006 8:54 AM:The first time I heard something about the "cartoon crisis", I believed the Muslins were doing a lot of mess for nothing. Now, after I searched for more informations and, mainly, after reading comments on this and on other websites, I understood the Mustlim point of view. How can you say for a Muslim "hey, you are making a lot of noise for nothing, it's not prejudice, we are not attacking your religion" when you see comments advocating the ideas as "stamp out Islam completely", "the world is a better place without Muslins" and showing Muslins like all of them were terrorists? That's xenophobia on it's worse aspects, and the Muslins have all the rights of protest. It's easy condemn all the Muslins for the acts of some Muslin terrorists, and forget to condemn Catholics and Protestants for the acts of the Catholic and Protestant terrorists on Northern Ireland, for example. When Jesus apeared on a cartoon with a gun, or Luthero with a bomb? If this happens, will the Catholics and Protestants of Denmarck or the rest of the world remain silent and accept it as natural? Showing Jesus with an erection (and therefore as a man) is a much more different situation than showing him as an assassin or terrorist. More than anything, we need respect on our world today.
alaa wrote on Feb 3, 2006 8:59 PM:As a Muslim and I am proud to say so, we believe in all prophets and if you think that is right, then your ignorant and one more thing, THIS IS FOR WHO EVER OUT THERE SAYING WE DON’T NEED THEIR OIL, MMMMMMMMMMMMM WHERE ELS WOULD YOU GET IT WE OWN IT ALL THINK TWICE BEFOR ACTING LIKE YOU KNOW ANYTHING.
nadra wrote on Feb 4, 2006 12:07 AM:why dont people understand that islam is not aterroist or violent religon the people (terroist) who do these horrible acts in the name of islam are actually playing with politics trying to advance the arab nation using religion if you read the koran no where does it say to kill anyone the rules in chirstaniy are the same in islam the only time you are allowed to kill anyone isself defence or eye for an eye even in war islam has rules you must follow like you cannot hurt any innocent women children elderly no chopping trees and so on but these extremist take bits and pieces of the koran to fit with there agenda in the koran the part about war does not pertain to anyone now god was telling mohamed because he was at war at the time what to do and how to do it right but these political arabs misconstrue this to make other muslims believe what their doing is great and religious what a shame if only they read the koran forthemselevs they would still be living instead of being blown into amillion pieces and their souls going who knows where
Karim wrote on Feb 4, 2006 3:04 AM:Ed Chicago,USA,wrote "The world is a better place without Muslims and their hate religion of Islam." at first i'm glad that this discussion exploring what inside most of us in different religions,but what i can say to Ed that as a Muslim i'm sorry,and we are really sorry that we dont show the value of our religion to all world and let the minority of people attack and kill innocents in the name of islam and allah which deliver a totaly different message to the world about Islam,i swear Ed,we dont have anything in islam call us for kiling innocents or terrorism ,and we are in Egypt (like many countries in the world ,USA,INDEONESIA,BOSENA,ALGERIA,RUSSIA)affected by terrorism and many innocent people also have been killed in Egypt,and we all as a muslims refuse this behaviour and it is not related to islam by any way but you dont know about that as many people in Europe and USA but it is our mistake we are sorry that we dont have a high profissionality in propaganda so would you allow me to alter your sentence to be (The world is a better place without TERRORISTS and their hate religion of SATAN).
Waleed wrote on Feb 4, 2006 6:27 AM:Nadra, they are making it(Islam being a terrorist) up because they are threatened by Islam. The reason why Christians, Jews, etc... are soooooooooo jealous of Islam is because Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world today.....Being the youngest, Islam is getting more and more powerful...... It scare the hell out of them.....
pete wrote on Feb 4, 2006 1:23 PM:Isn't it about time that Islam was dragged, kicking and screaming, into the fourteenth century?
sam wrote on Feb 5, 2006 9:27 PM: These cartoons appeared in the papers in countries that have a free press and if the papers pulled everything that offended one group or another it would be a thin paper indeed! The reactions to these cartoons is aperfect example of why they are so often depicted as terrorists .If the muslim community does not want to be seen like this they need to show to the world their good side and do something to rid them selves of these fanatics that they are always associated with. Until we see a stronger showing of the majority of good non terrorist muslims I am afraid that most will be labeled as such.
Doug wrote on Feb 6, 2006 12:30 PM:I think the Muslim's typical violent protests against the Danish will show the world just how these savages operate. They can kill and terrorize innocent people, but Allah forbid that someone make a cartoon they don't like? They teach that things get better for them after they die....let's all hope that things get better for them very soon....And my apologies in advance to the tiny minority of Muslims who aren't terrorist pigs.
emad samman wrote on Feb 6, 2006 12:35 PM:because islam respect all religions and all prophets so some people do not like that so the' messenger for islam is fighted so we hope all people should be respect prophet mohammed thanks
Cole wrote on Feb 6, 2006 3:31 PM:Look at Waleed's message below. I especially like when he says "they are making it(Islam being a terrorist) up " and then one sentence away says "Islam is getting more and more powerful...... It scare[s] the hell out of them".... Waleed.... there's another word for "scaring the hell out of [people who think differently than you do]".... the word is "TERRORISM". These people are addicted to violence because their religious doctrine is such a ridiculous fantasy the only way they can promote it is to threaten people with death if they DON'T believe it. Isn't it a great world where you can toss a crucifix in a bucket of Urine and get government money for "promoting the arts", but make a cartoon image of a prophet and things get burnt down, bombed, and people get maimed..... Oh those "peace loving Muslims"...
cat wrote on Feb 8, 2006 8:38 AM:I am dismayed and horrified that the Danish depicted your prophet in this "cartoon" when they know it is strictly forbidden. They should apologize and offer to make amends in a meaningful way. Please post what you think is an acceptable offering in order to make amends to the Muslim community. Thanks.
Khan wrote on Feb 9, 2006 3:13 AM:This is really a tagic and deplorable incident and not even tollarable, no one has right to touch sensetive issue which may cause great impacts towards the relationship with the west.The least punishment for the catoonist is to hang him high. Islam does not teach to kill women, children and elderly people even in the state of war and direct Muslim to treat the people humbly and with their due respect. I am surprised that how the west has given lable as TERRORIST to the muslims whears the real terroist were Chuchil,Ison Hower,Hittler and Missolini who put millions innocents to brutal death for their own joy and temptation,
Doug wrote on Feb 11, 2006 6:17 AM:Khan, So let me get this straight..... Not OK to draw a silly cartoon of a prophet, but OK to randomly kill innocent people (especially Jews and Christians, right?)in the name of Allah. I hope you folks keep spouting be cause I think the whole world needs to see what a bunch of hopeless savages you are. Praise be to Denmark
Dave wrote on Mar 13, 2006 8:28 PM:Many Muslims simply refuse to understand that freedom of speech is precisely that. FREEDOM to speak. There is no right to not be offended by someone else's speech. As to the comments about being "ignorant" about Islam, I think the only thing we're ignorant about is how a religion that openly advocates murder against people who "disrespect" it can call itself a "religion of peace" and expect people not to laugh. Denmark deserves our support. If this is considered a fight against Islam, so be it. Radical Islam is antithetical to the culture of the West and must be stopped. BUY DANISH PRODUCTS!!
Dan wrote on Jun 11, 2008 4:05 PM:Do any of you Muslims really think westerners would give a damn if you printed anti Christian cartoons?
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