Danish Papers Reprint Muhammad Cartoon

To "Unambiguously Back" Freedom; Images Of Prophet Sparked Mass Outcry 2 Years Ago

(AP)  Denmark's leading newspapers on Wednesday reprinted a caricature of the Prophet Muhammad that sparked deadly rioting in Muslim countries two years ago.

The papers said they wanted to show their firm commitment to freedom of speech after Tuesday's arrest in western Denmark of three people accused of plotting to kill the man who drew the cartoon, which shows Muhammad wearing a turban shaped like a bomb with a lit fuse.

The drawing by Kurt Westergaard and 11 other cartoons depicting Muhammad enraged Muslims two years ago when they appeared in a range of Western newspapers.

Islamic law generally opposes any depiction of the prophet, even favorable, for fear it could lead to idolatry.

The Jyllands-Posten newspaper, which first published the 12 drawings on Sept. 30, 2005, reprinted Westergaard's cartoon in its print edition Wednesday. Several other major dailies, including Politiken and Berlingske Tidende, also reprinted the drawing.

"We are doing this to document what is at stake in this case, and to unambiguously back and support the freedom of speech that we as a newspaper will always defend," said the Copenhagen-based Berlingske Tidende.

Tabloid Ekstra Bladet reprinted all 12 drawings.

At least three European newspapers - in Sweden, the Netherlands and Spain - also reprinted the cartoon as part of their coverage of the Danish arrests.

The decision by the Danish papers came in response to Tuesday's news that intelligence police had arrested two Tunisians and a Danish citizen of Moroccan origin for plotting to kill Westergaard.

The Danish suspect was released Tuesday after questioning, his lawyer, Henning Lyngsbo, said.

"He has no knowledge about the case," Lyngsbo told The Associated Press. "It doesn't seem that the evidence is very strong."

Intelligence service chief Jakob Scharf had indicated the man would be released, but could still face charges of violating a Danish terror law. The two Tunisians are to be expelled from Denmark because they are considered threats to national security, Scharf said.

Danish Muslim leaders condemned the alleged murder plot, but also said reprinting Westergaard's cartoon was the wrong way to protest.

"There could have been other ways to do it without the drawing, which I personally do not like," Abdul Wahid Petersen, a moderate imam, told AP.

Imam Mostafa Chendid, the leader of the Islamic Faith Community, said his group was considering staging a rally in front of Parliament. The Copenhagen-based group spearheaded protests against the cartoons in 2006.

"We are so unhappy about the cartoon being reprinted," Chendid told AP. "No blood was ever shed in Denmark because of this, and no blood will be shed. We are trying to calm down people, but let's see what happens. Let's open a dialogue."

Massive protests swept the Muslim world in early 2006 after the publication of the cartoons. Danes watched in disbelief as angry mobs burned the Danish flag and attacked the country's embassies in Muslim countries including Syria, Iran and Lebanon. Danish products were boycotted in several Muslim countries.

The Danish Foreign Ministry said its diplomatic missions worldwide were monitoring the situation for any signs of unrest related to the cartoon.

"We have no information about events or reactions that leads us to change our security assessment for Danish citizens," said Uffe Wolffhechel of the ministry's consular department.

[gkc99]

"police had arrested two Tunisians and a Danish citizen of Moroccan origin for plotting to kill Westergaard."


Let Muslims go back to "Muslim lands." There is no place for Muslims like this in free countries.

Even in their own countries, the religious fascists deny freedom of conscience to other inhabitants. It''s an oligarchy of terrorists.

Time for Islam to "let its people go." Time to end the reign of Muslim terror. Time for religious freedom around the world.

[demslie]

Muslim in Detroit are trying to get seats on their local city councils so they can introduce Shia Laws that will judge "their people" as directed by the Koran. That is exactly what they did in African countries before muslim extremists and terroritsts used their positions in the goverments to start civil wars to take over the country.

[quetzal0666]

Separation of church and State...
does wonders....

[aboz3]

It is interesting that none of the online news outlets have published the picture. Perhaps they fear the retaliation? Let the Muslims rule the world with fear I guess.

[endpcnow]

A great number of Middle Eastern Muslims are easily offended by anything. the intention of Islam to subjugate any nation in which Muslims gain a population foothold. Where Islam is the dominant religion, it also expects to be the law of the land, rejecting a secular approach to government. Wherever there is Islam there will eventually be fundamentalism and oppression. Christian proselytism is discouraged, where not outright prohibited, throughout the Muslim world and Muslims who convert to Christianity (or any other religion) are subject to death according to Sharia law. Islam is the only religion that has to retain its membership by threatening to kill anyone who leaves. I don%u2019t understand how anyone could ever claim that Islam promotes equality, moderation, tolerance and peace.

[Marie Zarankevich]

Has anyone thought to point out to these people, that while they are free to participate in the modern world, they are not welcome to drag the rest of the entire planet into a quagmire of 12th century contention and their personal micro-mini wars which have been going on for thousands of years? Keep it to yourselves, already.

[sandy19731]

You gotta love the Danes for doing the brave thing. Come on, CBS! Let''s see them.

[godseyesore-2009]

For any religious followers to kill on basis of an image is beyond comprehension, totally insane, and makes one wonder when they will come out of the 12th century.

[Marie Zarankevich]

From what they''ve revealed about their culture themselves, they are all suffering from trauma-stress due to being raised in a hellish brew of negativity, nightmarish childhood teachings, and social repression, the likes of which the world has never seen. Every one of them needs serious therapy. They have ALL been abused, mostly by their religious leaders. We can all see the signs. The fears, the violence, the hatred, the cringing on the part of the helpless. People who act like this have been beaten, not nurtured, and it will not change until something interrupts that cycle of abuse.

[endpcnow]

qazi63: Why Blame Islam????

Because Islam produces Muslims. Because all Islam is one and same. Because of over 10,000 terrorist attacks committed in the name of Islam in the last 5 or 6 years. Because Islam is the only religion that has to retain its membership by threatening to kill anyone who leaves. Because Islam is not tolerant of other religions. I%u2019m not sure there are good muslims. We never hear from them during these confrontations. If %u201Cgood%u201D Muslims do absolutely nothing about atrocities being committed in their name then the line between good and bad Muslims becomes blurred. All that is need for evil to triumph is for %u201Cgood%u201D people to do nothing. The French are already a lost cause, and many other nations are following suit, allowing Islamic courts, banning historically significant symbols, icons and pastimes such as coed swimming to appease the rapidly growing and ever more vociferous Muslim minorities. If people want things to be exactly as they were in their countries of origin, then why don%u2019t they just remain there? Radical Islam is as much about as about carefully and deliberately applying ideas and creativity as it is about bombs and bullets. %u201CModerate%u201D Muslims are waging an ideological jihad working to undermine everything civilized societies stand for.

[Marie Zarankevich]

I thoroughly agree that the moderate Muslims who are ignoring the damage being done by extremists in their name is a big part of the problem. If Islam is peaceful, why do the "peaceful" Muslims not defend their religion from these actions more strongly? Much harm is being done in their name! Could it be that they are just as afraid of the violence as everyone else? They are hiding to be safe? Perhaps the "Peaceful" faction should have some courage and speak up a bit more!

[questionnews]

Anyone else notice the many similarities between being a member of Islam & being a member of MS-13?

Once you join, the only way to get out is to be killed.

You seek out others that are not in your "group" and commit violence upon them to gain status.

You are not allowed to lie & deceive to your members but are encouraged to do so to others.

Anyone who disses your group is targeted for death.

Spooky

[lloydbest1]

Religious extremism is no respecter of religion and all of them have their fanatical fringe. Further, this fanaticism has little to do with faith. Such people are motivated by generalized hostility and hate. Such hatred is inborn. On another thread ages ago, I pointed out to one poster arguing with a militant on issues of faith that the "hatred always comes first".

So it does. Hatred does come first. Then the object. And finally the reason. My experience in a life already too long also tells me there isn''t much enlightened child rearing or directed socialization can do to mitigate such hostility once it rears its ugly head. About all you can do is keep a third eye on these dysfunctionals and frustrate their more outlandishly anti-social activities.

We can''t sermonize against Muslim extremists until we reign in our own. Christian extremism is far more dangerous and Christian fanatics are far more violent if only because there are far more Christians (2.5X the number of Muslims) than of any other faith. I needn''t back that statement up. Any cursory examination of religious history obviates such need.

But that does NOT let Muslims off the hook. Qazi63, you can assure no such thing (your last paragraph). I may be assuming too much; you did not say Muhammed is your prophet but moderates such as yourself (if you are Muslim) must step up to the plate and comdemn the extremists and firebrands in your faith just as Christians must denounce, contain and isolate the fanatics in ours.

[finewoven]

If people want things to be exactly as they were in their countries of origin, then why don%u2019t they just remain there?
Posted by endpcnow at 10:27 AM : Feb 13, 2008

I often wonder that myself. It baffles the mind to see how often people leave their country to find a better life, only to re-create the life they previously lived in their new environment.

[ici2i]

We assure those who bash Islam that if there was no occupation in this world by foreign invaders, there would be no resistance %u2013 the so-called terror.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by qazi63

Is that a threat? This article is about pictures of your prophet not about illegal occupation. That is an entirely different matter and while I can appreciate this issue, the point here is the insecurity of Islamic people in their own religion about a few pictures. It''s a matter of freedom of speech and Muslims threatening and killing people of teh free world for exercising their rights. I have a pretty good idea of what Muhammad looks like too and I bet many others do too. Chances are Muslims will see many more unpleasant pics for the simple reason that it bothers them. Be secure with who you believe the prophet is and you''ll get over it like we get over seeing an image something or someone we cherish.

[finewoven]

For any religious followers to kill on basis of an image is beyond comprehension, totally insane,
Posted by godseyesore at 10:04 AM : Feb 13, 2008

In the hands of fanatics, the AK47 is mightier than the pen.

[wango2007-2009]

Congratulations to the Danish newspapers for reprinting comics of Muhammad.

However, their action should not be seen as "brave." It is the natural and normal thing to do in a free society.

The question is, why has not CBS and other U.S. news agencies displayed the images? Is their sense of political correctness so overwhelming that they feel the need to censor the news?

I think this matter speaks volumes about the bias of CBS and other news organizations. It is a form of dishonesty. We do not have a truly free press in America. CBS has been stockholder concerns before truth.

[finewoven]

I don%u2019t understand how anyone could ever claim that Islam promotes equality, moderation, tolerance and peace.
Posted by endpcnow at 09:33 AM : Feb 13, 2008

I can''t say I''ve every heard this claim about Islam. If I had heard it I would feel compelled to laugh loudly since it must be meant as a joke.

[oscarez]

This is just another example that the world would be better off with out any religion. Religion is just an excuse to hate and kill.

[gkc99]

"We assure those who bash Islam that if there was no occupation in this world by foreign invaders, there would be no resistance %u2013 the so-called terror."--Posted by qazi63


That''s a hoot, because it''s the Muslims who are the foreign invaders--"Islam or the sword". There is no border in the world today between a "Muslim land" (i.e., a country where religious freedom is denied by Islamic fascists) and countries that have religious freedom, that is not hostile, due to attacks and aggression by Muslims against non-Muslims.

For example, the eastern Mediterranean was Christian before the Muslim conquest of Jerusalem, and before that it was Roman (pagan) and before that Jewish (Hebrew).

It''s the Muslims who are the invaders and destroyers. As long as they keep it up, there will be blood.

[notblue]

Once again we should get to witness Muslim intollerance, screaming in the streets, rioting etc.etc. etc. WHY??? Because of CARTOONS! These are the same people who will leave America alone if we just retreat! Whatever!

[Marie Zarankevich]

LloydBest1

Very well said! Refreshingly clear, lucid.

[wango2007-2009]

LloydBest1

We can''''t sermonize against Muslim extremists until we reign in our own. Christian extremism is far more dangerous and Christian fanatics are far more violent if only because there are far more Christians (2.5X the number of Muslims) than of any other faith. I needn''''t back that statement up...

-----------------------

You can''t back this up. This statement is nothing more than blatant bigotry.

The non-religious people (atheists) are not the "good" people. Their kind murdered 100 million people in the last 85 years (Stalin, Mao) Their kind are the ones who support Roe v Wade which have resulted in 40 million dead babies in the U.S. alone.

Keep in mind that much of the killing that was done by "Christians" in history, and which non-religious people like to cast blame about, was really motivated by politics, not religion. Secular politics infiltrating the Christian faith.

[gunownerdan]

The bible and the koran are two of the most dangerous and destructive weapons of mass destruction mankind has ever created.

[rushlimpdrug]

Don''t mess with Muhammad, I buy gas and a beer at his station sometimes.

[wango2007-2009]

Posted by gunownerdan
The Bible and the Koran are two of the most dangerous and destructive weapons of mass destruction mankind has ever created.

---------------

There are apparently some people out there who do not understand what bigotry is (or perhaps are happy to be bigots). Two definitions to clear the air:

A bigot is a prejudiced person who is intolerant of opinions, lifestyles, or identities differing from his or her own.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigotry

prejudice and/or discrimination against one or all members of a particular group based on negative perceptions of their beliefs and practices or on negative group stereotypes (Anti-Defamation League).
www.in.gov/cji/youth/compliance/glossary.doc

[endpcnow]

%u201CA man''s ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death." - Albert Einstein

%u201CIt is the luck of rulers that men don%u2019t think for them selves%u201D -- A Hitler

[gunownerdan]

I love the Muhammed cartoon where Muhammed is up in heaven and a line of suicide bombers is standing in front of him waiting to get in and he is yelling:
"STOP, STOP, WE ARE OUT OF VIRGINS!"

Classic!!!

[gunownerdan]

*** right I am bigoted against homicidal religious nutcases!

POWER TO THE INFIDELS!

[wango2007-2009]

gunownerdan *** right I am bigoted against homicidal religious nutcases!
------------------------

This is hate speech. YOU are the problem, not others.

[gunownerdan]

Don''t be an extremist fundamentalist homicidal religious nutcase and you won''t be hated.
Simple as that.

[gunownerdan]

YOU are the problem, not others.
Posted by Wango2007

Sorry, but I''m not the one using some ancient book of religious dogma to justify murdering innocent people.

[rushlimpdrug]

Posted by gunownerdan at 12:22 PM

intersting point.
Also permitted is the use of muhammed, muslim and islam.

[sharednotion]

I respect the right of newspapers to publish editorial cartoons that convey the point that they want to make, including the one that a Danish newspaper chose to publish with a caricature depiction of Muhammed; there should be NO sacred cows when cartoon-editorializing on ANY subject. ...But, why REPEAT a cartoon that disturbed many, just to say, "We can do this whenever we want to"? Why not just use WORDS in an editorial to declare that position, and wait until you again have a CURRENT EDITORIAL reason, before AGAIN depicting Muhammed in some new editorial cartoon?

[b-easy63]

LOOK...there''s Denmark, trying desperately to be relevant on the world stage...again. (yawn)

[b-easy63]

It is interesting that none of the online news outlets have published the picture. Perhaps they fear the retaliation? Let the Muslims rule the world with fear I guess.

Posted by aboz3 at 09:28 AM : Feb 13, 2008

Or perhaps it is like an old tired gag--the first time it''s hilarious, and even the second time--it gets a chuckle --but to keep pulling it out--only nets yawns and irritation as it becomes obvious that all the players want is attention and they now have become a BORE. Freedom of Speech is one thing--but this is not freedom of speech--it is beating a dead, fvcking horse--gotta wonder what the Danes or the newspaper wants? Things real slow right now in Denmark? LOL

[smiley676]

There have been a lot of political cartoons depicting Jesus, but they never caused people to threaten murder. This is just another example of why Muslims get stereotyped as extremists.

I disagree with the stereotype, but why does anyone feel killing is the correct way to respond to a picture?

If you can''t print pictures of Mohammed, then you can''t print pictures of Jesus. That''s only fair.

[ladyjaneg]

Posted by smiley676 at 01:03 PM : Feb 13, 2008

Agreed. :) I hope everyone is having a wonderful day!! It''s midweek, the rest of the week to the weekend is easy from this point on!! :D

[b-easy63]

I disagree with the stereotype, but why does anyone feel killing is the correct way to respond to a picture?

If you can''''t print pictures of Mohammed, then you can''''t print pictures of Jesus. That''''s only fair.

Posted by smiley676 at 01:03 PM : Feb 13, 2008


Did all of you miss the back and forth on this issue 2 years ago? Is that why you swallow the Denmark prompt and try to revisit it? So what? Crazy religious zealots, bigotted Western countries--all met boycotts, threats and then it all died down---we all moved on. Now they try to resurrect the same ghost and you guys fall for it? Sigh--this is just as bad as Bush and his continual terrorist color alerts just before elections, or Hilary''s tears just before her primary elections--the media pulls the chain and all of you jump, respond and blindly debate it all AGAIN, like it all has not been said, examined and debated when it actually happened the first time--2 years ago. Who is playing who? LOL

[ladyjaneg]

Posted by gunshack1 at 12:59 PM : Feb 13, 2008

There are actually a LOT of ''good'' muslims that are pretty sick and tired of the ''bad'' muslims always freaking out over every little thing and putting a bad name on Islam itself. I guess those good muslims are just scared of being targetted themselves by the bad muslims and tired of being lumped together in one big group withthe ''bad'' ones by westerners. I guess they feel completely isolated. I don''t know what else to say....I gues that''s just me, I try to see the good where I can. :)

[waqahi]

Freedom of press! pthtt
How about this for your pathetic freedom of press? The holocaust is a fairy tale fabricated to blackmail the religiously intolerant Europe. Is this good? I would not say anything nasty about Jesus or Moses because I, as a Muslim, respect them more than most of the hypocritical Jews or the immersed in ignorance Christians. How about this? Why don''t you let Mickey Mouse have an anal intercourse with the queen of Denmark, Queen Margret heII? She will probably love it. Is this better Mickey Mouse?

[b-easy63]

Posted by gunshack1 at 12:59 PM : Feb 13, 2008

There are actually a LOT of ''''good'''' muslims that are pretty sick and tired of the ''''bad'''' muslims always freaking out over every little thing and putting a bad name on Islam itself. I guess those good muslims are just scared of being targetted themselves by the bad muslims and tired of being lumped together in one big group withthe ''''bad'''' ones by westerners. I guess they feel completely isolated. I don''''t know what else to say....I gues that''''s just me, I try to see the good where I can. :)

Posted by LadyJaneG at 01:08 PM : Feb 13, 2008


I agree. That is why it is important when a newspaper resurrects a dead subject just to net a reaction (like the last time) I won''t bite and call out their pitiful attempt to stir it all up again. Been there--done that--we are supposed to be in our reconcile, help them get on their feet and sell them all ports, arms, and base our companies there part of the Arab phase now--did someone forgot to tell the party faithful? LOL

bush is on a new tip--his term is winding down and his legacy looms large--so no more demonizing Arabs.They are what they are. We all know this--so at this point reprinting the pics are for what, besides attention?

[drputt45]

Millions have died in the name of various Gods for hundreds of years. I don''t think any God intended to be used in that way. But people make of it what they will and look for excuses to exert power over others, so a God becomes a reason to kill.

[b-easy63]

hahaha

i stand with the danes

Murder plot against Danish cartoonist
http://jp.dk/uknews/article1
263133.ece
http://jp.dk/

Posted by terrorislam8 at 01:11 PM : Feb 13, 2008


Of course you do--you have been screeching "hate the muslims, fear their domination" long after most sources for continual hatred and castigation has moved on to other things--like our huge debt, the elections and the failing housing market--what would terrorislam do if his moniker became irrelevant? LMAO

[bradosol]

I''m British and, like anyone, can be offended by other people''s actions even when they''re entirely legal.

But neither I, nor anyone else living in a democracy, has the right to go through life without being offended. I definitely do not have the right to shut people up who offend me whilst exercising their own legal freedoms.

The re-publication of this cartoon in Denmark is a brave act, putting two fingers up to those who want to tell us what we can and can''t think and say - or draw!

[waqahi]

Freedom of press! pthtt

Will do it again and again and again until the total destuction of the Zionist entity

Freedom of press! pthtt
How about this for your pathetic freedom of press? The holocaust is a fairy tale fabricated to blackmail the religiously intolerant Europe. Is this good? I would not say anything nasty about Jesus or Moses because I, as a Muslim, respect them more than most of the hypocritical Jews or the immersed in ignorance Christians. Why don''t you let Mickey Mouse have an anal intercourse with the queen of Denmark, Queen Margret heII? She will probably love it. Is this better Mickey Mouse?

[rematenaj]

Posted by waqahi at 01:11 PM : Feb 13, 2008

Waqahi, our "pathetic freedom of press" is what allows you to come on these boards and truly make an a$$ of yourself!

[b-easy63]

The re-publication of this cartoon in Denmark is a brave act, putting two fingers up to those who want to tell us what we can and can''''t think and say - or draw!

Posted by bradosol at 01:16 PM : Feb 13, 2008


Or is it an incendiary act? Why don''t we re-run the pictures of what happened at Abu Ghraib--since we are having a brave, consciousness moment--and while we are at it, we can show the British actions in India and China, so we can see what happens when we rest on our own halos and it all goes to pot? Think about it--what is the true goal of the paper--someone is being threatened so they start it all up again? if it was a tv new channel--i''d say the goal was ratings--but the world is weary of this game--we don''t need to revisit or play up past insults , threats, or confrontations, there will be plenty new ones in the years ahead.

[b-easy63]

Posted by b-easy63 at 01:16 PM : Feb 13, 2008

i stand against

retarded radical fascist nazi terrorislam slavers and murderers

Posted by terrorislam8 at 01:21 PM : Feb 13, 2008


We already know there is an element of self hatred to your posts, terror, no need to remind us--it is just that there is more to life than hating or trying to justify reasons to harm Muslims--we won''t get far continuing to harm anyone if our economy really collapses. Try that for a start--don''t worry, they will still be there for you to hate, later on. In you, I see a person perfectly capable of replacing your present target with Jew, ***, Black, Hispanic or whatever--it is not the people--it is a target you think you can legitmately hate and foment violence against with impunity.

[vancouverboo]

The more you air "unacceptable" views the less "unacceptable" they become. There are no 4 letter words that are shocking anymore because they have all entered the mainstream. They are not charged with emotion because they are boring. Only the N word remains inviolate and forbidden, for political reasons. How long before we can start using that work in just?