Misplaced Pages

Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 13:20, 29 May 2007 edit88.250.50.6 (talk) →Comparable references← Previous edit Revision as of 13:21, 29 May 2007 edit undo88.250.50.6 (talk) →TimelineNext edit →
Line 43: Line 43:
Some of the cartoons can be difficult to fully understand for those without knowledge of certain Danish language metaphors or awareness of individuals of note to the Danish public. Furthermore, certain cartoons have captions written in Danish and one in Persian. Detailed descriptions of the cartoons and translations of the captions as well as explanations concerning Danish cultural references are provided here. Some of the cartoons can be difficult to fully understand for those without knowledge of certain Danish language metaphors or awareness of individuals of note to the Danish public. Furthermore, certain cartoons have captions written in Danish and one in Persian. Detailed descriptions of the cartoons and translations of the captions as well as explanations concerning Danish cultural references are provided here.


== Timeline ==
{{main|Timeline of the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy}}


=== Debate about self-censorship ===
{{Muhammad cartoons}}
On ] ], the Danish newspaper '']'' ran an article under the headline ''"Dyb angst for kritik af islam"'' <ref name="dybangst">{{cite news|date=]|title=Dyb angst for kritik af islam|publisher=Politiken|url=http://politiken.dk/VisArtikel.sasp?PageID=397712}} {{da icon}}</ref> ("Profound fear of criticism of Islam"). The article discussed the difficulty encountered by the writer ], who was initially unable to find an ] who was prepared to work with Bluitgen on his children's book ''Koranen og profeten Muhammeds liv'' (]: ''The ] and the life of the Prophet Muhammad'' ISBN 87-638-0049-7). Three artists declined Bluitgen's proposal before one agreed to assist anonymously. According to Bluitgen:

<blockquote>One , with reference to the murder in Amsterdam of the film director ], while another the lecturer at the ] in Copenhagen.<ref name="dybangst"/></blockquote>

In October 2004, a lecturer at the Niebuhr institute at the ] had been assaulted by five assailants who opposed his reading of the ] to non-Muslims during a lecture.<ref>{{cite news|date=]|title=Overfaldet efter Koran-læsning|publisher=TV 2 (Denmark)|url=http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/article.php?id=1424089}} {{da icon}}</ref>

The refusal of the first three artists to participate was seen as evidence of ] and led to much debate in Denmark, with other examples for similar reasons soon emerging. Comedian ] declared that he would (hypothetically) dare to urinate on the Bible on television, but not on the Qur'an.<ref>{{cite news|title=Debat: Bangebuks versus Kulturminister, 3rd section, Bøger, p.7|publisher=Weekendavisen|date=]|url=http://www.infomedia.dk}} {{da icon}}</ref><ref name="whyipub">{{cite news|date=]|title=Why I Published Those Cartoons|publisher=WashingtonPost|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/17/AR2006021702499.html}}</ref> The translators of an essay collection critical of Islam also wished to remain anonymous due to concerns about violent reprisals. {{Fact|date=February 2007}}

=== Publication of the cartoons ===
{{wikinewshas|previous reports related to this article|
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
}}
On ] ], the ] ''Jyllands-Posten'' ("The ] Post") published an article entitled "Muhammeds ansigt"<ref name="muhammeds_ansigt">{{cite news|first=Flemming|last=Rose|date=]|title=Muhammeds ansigt|publisher=Jyllands-Posten|url=http://www.jp.dk/login?url=indland/artikel:aid=3293102:fid=11146}} {{da icon}}</ref> ("The face of Muhammad"). The article consisted of twelve cartoons (of which only some depicted Muhammad) and an explanatory text, in which ], ''Jyllands-Posten''&#039;s culture editor, commented:

{{quotation|The modern, ] society is rejected by some Muslims. They demand a special position, insisting on special consideration of their own religious feelings. It is incompatible with contemporary democracy and freedom of speech, where you must be ready to put up with insults, mockery and ridicule. It is certainly not always attractive and nice to look at, and it does not mean that religious feelings should be made fun of at any price, but that is of minor importance in the present context. we are on our way to a slippery slope where no-one can tell how the self-censorship will end. That is why Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten has invited members of the Danish editorial cartoonists union to draw Muhammad as they see him. |<ref name="muhammeds_ansigt" />}}

After the invitation from ''Jyllands-Posten'' to around forty different artists to give their interpretation of Muhammad, twelve ]s chose to respond with a drawing each. Many also commented on the surrounding self-censorship debate. Three of these twelve cartoons were illustrated by Jyllands-Posten's own staff, including the "bomb" and "niqabs" cartoons.

On ], Rose explained his intent further In the ''Washington Post'':

{{quotation|The cartoonists treated Islam the same way they treat Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism and other religions. And by treating Muslims in Denmark as equals they made a point: We are integrating you into the Danish tradition of satire because you are part of our society, not strangers. The cartoons are including, rather than excluding, Muslims.|<ref name="whyipub" />}}

In October 2005, the Danish daily '']'' polled thirty-one of the forty-three members of the Danish cartoonist association. Twenty-three said they would be willing to draw Muhammad. One had doubts, one would not be willing because of fear of possible reprisals and six cartoonists would not be willing because they respected the Muslim ban on depicting the prophet. Fifteen of the thirty-one cartoonists rejected ''Jyllands-Posten''&#039;s project.<ref>"Profetens ansigt: Ingen selvcensur blandt tegnere". Politiken 20. oktober 2005, 2. sektion, side 3</ref>

===Danish Prime Minister's meeting refusal ===

{{Muslims and controversies}}

Having received petitions from Danish imams, eleven ambassadors from Muslim-majority countries asked for a meeting with Danish Prime Minister ] in ] ], in order to discuss what they perceived as an "on-going smearing campaign in Danish public circles and media against Islam and Muslims". In a letter, the ambassadors mentioned not only the issue of the Muhammad cartoons, but also a recent indictment against ],<ref>{{cite news|title=Denmark targets extremist media |date=]|url=
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4159220.stm|publisher=]}}</ref> and statements by MP ]<ref>{{da icon}} {{cite news|title=Ordene på Louise Freverts hjemmeside|date=]|url=http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/baggrund/article.php?id=2946997
|publisher=TV2 (Denmark)}}</ref> and the ], ].<ref>{{da icon}} {{cite news|title=Mikkelsen blæser til ny kulturkamp|date=]|url=http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/article.php?id=2923885|publisher=TV2 (Denmark)}}</ref> It concluded:

{{quotation|We deplore these statements and publications and urge Your Excellency’s government to take all those responsible to task under law of the land in the interest of inter-faith harmony, better integration and Denmark's overall relations with the Muslim world.|<ref>{{PDFlink||74.5&nbsp;]<!-- application/pdf, 76389 bytes -->}}</ref>}}

The government answered the ambassadors' request for a meeting with Rasmussen with a letter only: "The freedom of expression has a wide scope and the ] has no means of influencing the press. However, Danish legislation prohibits acts or expressions of blasphemous or discriminatory nature. The offended party may bring such acts or expressions to court, and it is for the courts to decide in individual cases."<ref>{{PDFlink||545&nbsp;]<!-- application/pdf, 558231 bytes -->}} </ref>

The ambassadors maintained that they had never asked for ''Jyllands-Posten'' to be prosecuted; possibly, the non-technical phrase of the letter, "to take NN to task under law", meant something like "to hold NN responsible within the limits of the law".<ref>{{cite news|title=Ambassadør-breve blev forvekslet i Politiken|date=]|url=http://politiken.dk/VisArtikel.iasp?PageID=439519| publisher=Politiken}}</ref> Rasmussen replied: "Even a non-judicial intervention against ''Jyllands-Posten'' would be impossible within our system".<ref>{{da icon}} {{cite news|title=»Oversættelsen er helt uvæsentlig«|date=]|url=http://politiken.dk/VisArtikel.iasp?PageID=439706| publisher=Politiken}}</ref>

The Egypt ], Aboul Gheit, wrote several letters to the Prime Minister of Denmark and to the ] explaining that they did not want the Prime Minister to prosecute ''Jyllands-Posten''; they only wanted "an official Danish statement underlining the need for and the obligation of respecting all religions and desisting from offending their devotees to prevent an escalation which would have serious and far-reaching consequences".<ref>{{da icon}} {{cite news|title=Egypten gav Fogh mulighed for forsoning|date=]|url=http://politiken.dk/VisArtikel.iasp?PageID=439859| publisher=Politiken}}</ref> Subsequently, the Egyptian government played a leading role in defusing the issue in the Middle East.<ref>{{da icon}} {{cite news|title=Egypten stod bag profetkampagne|date=]|url=http://politiken.dk/VisArtikel.iasp?PageID=439149
| publisher=Politiken}}</ref>

The refusal to meet the ambassadors has been criticized by the Danish ], twenty-two Danish ex-ambassadors, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, ].<ref>{{da icon}} {{cite news|title=Danish ambassadors criticise Andersen Fogh Rasmussen|date=]|url=http://politiken.dk/VisArtikel.sasp?PageID=425730| publisher=Politiken}}</ref>

===Judicial investigation of ''Jyllands-Posten''===
On ], ], a number of Muslim organizations filed a complaint with the Danish police claiming that ''Jyllands-Posten'' had committed an offence under section 140 and 266b of the ].<ref name="danish_response_to_un_jan">{{cite news|title=Official Response by the Danish Government to the UN Special Rapporteurs|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark|date=]|url=http://www.um.dk/NR/rdonlyres/00D9E6F7-32DC-4C5A-8E24-F0C96E813C06/0/060123final.pdf |format=PDF}} {{da icon}}</ref>
* Section 140<ref name="par140">{{cite news|title=§140 of the Danish criminal code|publisher=Juraportalen Themis|url=http://www.themis.dk/synopsis/docs/Lovsamling/Straffeloven_kap_15.html}} {{da icon}}</ref> of the ], known as the blasphemy law, prohibits disturbing ] by publicly ridiculing or insulting the dogmas of worship of any lawfully existing religious community in Denmark. Only one case has ever resulted in a sentence, a 1938 case involving an ] group. The most recent case was in 1971 when a ] of ] was charged, but found not guilty.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Politik/2006/02/16/130153.htm|title=Den glemte paragraf|publisher=dr.dk|date=]}} {{da icon}}</ref>
* Section 266b<ref name="par266b">{{cite news|title=§266b of the Danish criminal code|publisher=Juraportalen Themis|url=http://www.themis.dk/synopsis/docs/Lovsamling/Straffeloven_kap_27.html}} {{da icon}}</ref> criminalises insult, threat or degradation of ]s, by publicly and with ] attacking their race, ] skin, national or ethnical roots, faith or sexual orientation.

On ] ], the Regional ] in ] discontinued the investigation as he found no basis for concluding that the cartoons constituted a ]. His reason is based on his finding that the article concerns a subject of ] and, further, on Danish ] which extends editorial freedom to journalists when it comes to a subject of public interest. He stated that, in assessing what constitutes an offence, the right to freedom of speech must be taken into consideration. He stated that the right to freedom of speech must be exercised with the necessary respect for other ], including the right to protection against discrimination, insult and degradation, but no apparent violation of the law had occurred.<ref name="danish_response_to_un_jan"/> In a new hearing, the Director of Public Prosecutors in Denmark agreed.<ref name="rigsadvokaten PR"> {{cite news|title=Decision on possible criminal proceedings|publisher=Rigsadvokaten|date=]|url=http://www.rigsadvokaten.dk/ref.aspx?id=890 |format=PDF}}</ref>

=== Danish Imams tour the Middle East ===
{{main|Akkari-Laban dossier}}

A group of Danish ]s, dissatisfied with the reaction of the Danish Government and ''Jyllands-Posten'' created a forty-three-page document entitled, "''Dossier about championing the prophet Muhammad peace be upon him''."<ref>{{cite news|title=The imam and the unbelievers of Denmark|publisher=Ekstra Bladet|date=]|url=http://ekstrabladet.dk/VisArtikel.iasp?PageID=334426}}</ref> This consisted of several letters from Muslim organisations explaining their case, citing the ''Jyllands-Posten'' cartoons but also the following causes of "pain and torment" for the authors:
# Pictures from another Danish newspaper, '']'', which they called "even more offending" (than the original twelve cartoons);
# Hate-mail pictures and letters that the dossier's authors alleged were sent to Muslims in Denmark, said to be indicative of the rejection of Muslims by the Danish;
# A televised interview discussing Islam with ] ] and Islam critic ], who had received the Freedom Prize "for her work to further freedom of speech and the rights of women" from the ] represented by Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

Appended to the dossier were multiple clippings from ''Jyllands-Posten'', multiple clippings from ''Weekendavisen'', some clippings from Arabic-language papers, and three additional images. ]

The group of imams said that the three additional images were sent anonymously by mail to Muslims who were participating in an online debate on ''Jyllands-Posten'',<ref>{{cite news|title=Sådan gik chatten - Bjerager og Akkari|publisher=TV2|date=]|url=http://politik.tv2.dk/article.php/3617652.html}} See question asked by ''xaria'' and answered by Akkari {{da icon}}</ref> and were circulated to illustrate the atmosphere of Islamophobia in which they lived.<ref>{{cite news|title=What the Muhammad cartoons portray|publisher=BBC|date=]|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4693292.stm}}</ref> On ] ] incorrectly reported that one of them had been published in ''Jyllands-Posten''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Imam viste falske billeder|publisher=Jyllands-Posten|date=]|url=http://www.jp.dk/indland/artikel:aid=3527718}} {{da icon}}</ref> This image was later found to be a wire-service photo of a contestant at a French pig-squealing contest.<ref></ref><ref></ref> One of the other two additional images (a photo) portrayed a Muslim being mounted by a dog while praying, and the other (a cartoon) portrayed Muhammad as a demonic pedophile. Equipped with the dossier, the group of imams set out for a tour of the Middle East to present their case to many influential religious and ], and to ask for support.<ref></ref>

The dossier contains such statements as the following:
* We urge you to &mdash; on the behalf of thousands of believing Muslims &mdash; to give us the opportunity of having a constructive contact with the press and particularly with the relevant decision makers, not briefly, but with a scientific methodology and a planned and long-term programme seeking to make views approach each other and remove misunderstandings between the two parties involved. Since we do not wish for Muslims to be accused of being backward and narrow, likewise we do not wish for Danes to be accused of ideological arrogance either. When this relationship is back on its track, the result will bring satisfaction, an underpinning of security and the stable relations, and a flourishing Denmark for all that live here.
* The faithful in their religion (Muslims) suffer under a number of circumstances, first and foremost the lack of official recognition of the Islamic faith. This has led to a lot of problems, especially the lack of right to build mosques
* Even though they belong to the ], the secularizations have overcome them, and if you say that they are all infidels, then you are not wrong.
* We do not need lessons in democracy, but it is actually us, who through our deeds and speeches educate the whole world in democracy.
* This dictatorial way of using democracy is completely unacceptable.

The inclusion in the dossier of the cartoons from ''Weekendavisen'' was possibly a misunderstanding, as these were more likely intended as parodies of the pompousness of ''Jyllands-Posten'''s cartoons than as comments on the prophet in their own right.<ref> {{da icon}}</ref> They consist of reproductions of works such as the '']'' (caption: ''For centuries, a previously unknown society has known that this is a painting of the Prophet, and guarded this secret. The back page's anonymous artist is doing everything he can to reveal this secret in his contribution. He has since then been forced to go underground, fearing for the wrath of a crazy albino imam''). This is an obvious parody of the ].

At a ] ] summit of the ], with many ] in attendance, the dossier was handed around on the sidelines first,<ref>{{cite news|title= How a meeting of leaders in Mecca set off the cartoon wars around the world|publisher=The Independent|date=]|url=http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article344482.ece}}</ref> and eventually an official communiqué was issued, demanding that the ] impose ] upon Denmark.<ref name="UN resolution">{{cite news|date=]|title=Muslims seek UN resolution over Danish prophet cartoons|publisher=IslamOnLine|url=http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2006-01/30/article01.shtml}}</ref>

=== ''Jyllands-Posten'' response ===
In response to protests from Muslim groups, ''Jyllands-Posten'' published two open letters on its website, each of them in a ] and an ] version.<ref>{{PDFlink||18.2&nbsp;]<!-- application/pdf, 18709 bytes -->}} {{ar icon}}</ref> The second letter, dated ] ], also has an ] version:<ref>{{cite news|date=]|title=Honourable Fellow Citizens of the Muslim World|url= http://www.jp.dk/meninger/ncartikel:aid=3527646|publisher=Jyllands-Posten}}</ref>

{{quotation|In our opinion, the 12 drawings were sober. They were not intended to be offensive, nor were they at variance with Danish law, but they have indisputably offended many Muslims for which we apologize.}}

On ], the cartoonist who had drawn the ''bomb in turban'' picture, the most
controversial of the twelve, explained:

{{quotation|There are interpretations of it that are incorrect. The general impression among Muslims is that it is about Islam as a whole. It is not. It is about certain fundamentalist aspects, that of course are not shared by everyone. But the fuel for the terrorists’ acts stem from interpretations of Islam. if parts of a religion develop in a totalitarian and aggressive direction, then I think you have to protest. We did so under the other 'isms.|<ref>{{cite news|date=]|title=Jyllands-Posten: Bomben's Ophavsmand|url= http://www.jp.dk/udland/artikel:aid=3579334:fid=11338/|publisher=Jyllands-Posten}} {{da icon}}</ref>}}

===Reprinting in other newspapers===

]'s ], ]'' headline page.]]
{{see|List of newspapers that reprinted Jyllands-Posten's Muhammad cartoons}}
In 2005, the Muhammad cartoons controversy received only minor media attention outside of Denmark. Six of the cartoons were first reprinted by the Egyptian newspaper '']'' on ], ],<ref>{{cite news|date=]|title=Danes Blame Imams for Satire Escalation, Survey Says (Update1)|publisher=Bloomberg|url= http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000085&sid=a8hEmi2ja5cg&refer=europe}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=]|title=No Danish Treatment for an Egyptian Newspaper|publisher=FreedomForEgyptians|url= http://freedomforegyptians.blogspot.com/2006/02/egyptian-newspaper-pictures-that.html}}</ref> along with an article strongly denouncing them, but publication did not provoke any condemnations or other reactions from religious or government authorities. Between October 2005 and the end of January 2006, examples of the cartoons were reprinted in major ]an newspapers from the ], ], ], ] and ]. Very soon after, as protests grew, there were further re-publications around the globe, but primarily in ].

Notable for a lack of republication of the cartoons were most major newspapers in the ]<ref>{{cite news|date=]|title=A media dilemma: The rest of a story|publisher=Philadelphia Inquirer|url=http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/front/13788640.htm}}</ref> and the ],<ref>{{cite news|date=]|title=US, British media tread carefully in cartoon furor|publisher=Christian Science Monitor|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0206/dailyUpdate.html}}</ref> where editorials covered the story without including them. Several ] for their decision or intention to re-publish the cartoons, including the shutting down of a 60 year old ] permanently.

=== Economic and human costs ===
{{main|Economic and human costs of the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy}}
]
<!--
What started with the problem of a Danish author trying to find an illustrator for his book became an international controversy, as a result of which many governments and international organizations have issued statements. The primary economic and human costs stemmed from rioting that left more than 130 people dead and caused massive property damage. Boycotts and other economic measures led to job losses and missed business opportunities on the scale of millions of ]s.
-->
A consumer ] was organised in ], ], and other Middle East countries.<ref>{{cite news|date=]|title=The Inciters and the Incited|publisher=Der Spiegel International Edition|url=http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/spiegel/0,1518,400519,00.html}}</ref>
For weeks, numerous notable demonstrations and other protests against the cartoons took place worldwide. Rumours spread via ] and ].<ref>{{cite news|date=]|title=E-Mail, Blogs, Text Messages Propel Anger Over Images|publisher=Washington Post|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/08/AR2006020802293.html}}</ref>On ] ], the Danish and ] embassies in ] were set ablaze, though with no injuries. In ], the Danish ] was set on fire,<ref>{{cite news|date=]|title=Protesters burn consulate over cartoons|publisher=CNN|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/02/05/cartoon.protests/index.html}}</ref> leaving one protester dead.<ref>{{cite news|date=]|title=Protestors killed as global furor over cartoons escalates|publisher=Middle East Times|url=http://www.metimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=20060206-081448-7380r}}</ref> Altogether, at least 139 people were killed in protests,<ref>{{cite news|date=]| title=Cartoon Body Count|publisher=Web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20060326071135/http://www.cartoonbodycount.com/}}</ref> mainly in Nigeria, Libya, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Several ]s and reward offers for killing those responsible for the cartoons have been made,<ref>{{cite web|title=Another Bounty on 12 Cartoonists’ Heads|publisher=Agora|url=
http://agora.blogsome.com/2006/03/12/another-bounty-on-12-cartoonists-heads|date=]}} </ref> resulting in the cartoonists going into hiding.<ref></ref>. Four ministers have resigned amidst the controversy, among them ] and ].<ref>{{cite news|date=]|title=Libya suspends minister over riot|publisher=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4727810.stm}}</ref> In ], Haji Yaqoob Qureishi, a minister in ] state government announced in ] a cash reward of Rs 51 crore (roughly about US$11 million) for anyone who beheads the Danish cartoonist who caricatured Prophet Mohammad.<ref>http://209.157.64.201/focus/f-news/1580915/posts</ref> <ref>http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060326/nation.htm</ref><ref>http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1419344.cms</ref> ], ] of America has accused Iran and Syria of ] in Iran, Syria and Lebanon.<ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/02/08/world/main1298998.shtml</ref><ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/02/08/world/main1298998.shtml Rice: Iran, Syria Behind Cartoon Riots by CBS News</ref>

The Western media dubbed the series of demonstrations organized in February 2006 by certain Middle Eastern governments and radical clerics as the "Cartoon Intifada".<ref>http://www.townhall.com/opinion/columns/cliffordmay/2006/02/09/185968.html The Cartoon Intifada by Clifford D. May</ref>

On ], ], it was announced that the Muslim boycott of Danish goods had reduced exports to the Muslim world by 15.5%, costing about €134 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5329642.stm|title=Cartoons row hits Danish exports|publisher=]|date=2006-09-09|accessdate=2006-09-09}}</ref> However, the ''Guardian'' newspaper in the UK also reported, "While Danish milk products were dumped in the Middle East, fervent rightwing Americans started buying ] stereos and Lego. In the first quarter of this year Denmark’s exports to the US soared 17%."<ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1884323,00.html</ref>
{{-}}

===Further police investigations===
* The French/Algerian journalist ] <ref></ref> secretly filmed<ref>{{cite news|date=]|title=Video footage of the French TV documentary|publisher=TV2|url=http://www.savefile.com/files.php?fid=6735165}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=]|title=Video footage of Abu Laban|publisher=Denmark radio|url=http://www.dr.dk/Forms/Published/PlaylistGen.aspx?qid=176564}}</ref> ], spokesman for the group of Danish Imams that toured the Middle East, in conversation with Sheikh Raed Hlayhel (head of the 2nd delegation), threatening to have MP ] bombed. ] was also filmed, talking about a man who wants "to wreak absolute havoc" and "wants to join the fray and turn it into a ] right now."<ref>{{cite news|date=]|title=Danish Imam Reveals `Martyr Action' Plot, Danmarks Radio Says|publisher=Bloomberg|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000085&sid=aV6jPyhgfzL0&refer=europe}}</ref> Akkari initially denied the remarks, then explained he was only ].<ref>{{cite news|date=]|title=Danish police to probe imam's bomb threats|publisher=Reuters|url=http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-03-23T164714Z_01_L2397527_RTRUKOC_0_UK-RELIGION-DENMARK-THREATS.xml&archived=False}}</ref> Both men were investigated, but no charges were brought.

* Police in ] overwhelmed ], a student from Pakistan, as he entered the office building of ] newspaper, armed with a large knife. Cheema admitted to trying to kill editor Roger Köppel for reprinting the Mohammad cartoons in the newspaper. On ] ], Cheema ] in his ]. Cheema's family and Pakistani media claim he was tortured to death.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/0,1518,414669,00.html|title=Selbstmord nach versuchtem Angriff auf Chefredakteur der "Welt"|publisher=]|date=May 5, 2006}}.</ref> 50,000 people attended Cheema's funeral near ]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060513/ap_on_re_as/pakistan_prophet_drawings|title=Pakistani Student's Funeral Draws 50,000|publisher=AP/Yahoo|date=May 13, 2006}}.</ref>.

*Two ] were discovered in trains near the German towns of ] and ], undetonated due to an assembly error. Video footage from ] ], where the bombs were put on the trains, led to the arrest of two Lebanese students in Germany, Youssef el-Hajdib and Jihad Hamad, and subsequently of three suspected co-conspirators in Lebanon<ref>{{cite news|title=Lebanon arrests fourth suspect in German bomb case|org=BBC|url=http://today.reuters.com/News/CrisesArticle.aspx?storyId=L02136965}}</ref>. On ] ], Jörg Ziercke, head of the ] (Federal Police), reports that the suspects saw the Muhammad cartoons as an "assault by the West on Islam" and the "initial spark" for the attack, originally planned to coincide with the ].<ref>{{cite news|title= Suspects behind failed German train bombings motivated Prophet Muhammad cartoons: investigator|org=International Herald Tribune|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/09/02/europe/EU_GEN_Germany_Terrorism_Investigation.php}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Bahn-Anschläge schon zur Fußball-WM geplant|org=Spiegel|url=http://www.spiegel.de/panorama/0,1518,434812,00.html}}</ref> One of the suspects, Youssef el-Hajdib, was arrested heading to Denmark. Police found the ] of ], the leader of the Danish Imams' first cartoon-related delegation to the Middle East, in Hadjib's pockets. Abu Bashar denies knowing al-Hajdib.<ref>{{cite news|title=9 arrested by Denmark in reported terror plot|org=International Heral Tribune|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/09/05/news/denmark.php}}</ref>

===Anniversary flare-up===
{{wikinews|New agitations over cartoons of Prophet Mohammed}}
One year after the publication of the original cartoons, a video surfaced showing members of the ] youth wing engaged in a contest of drawing pictures that insult Muhammad. This led to renewed tension between the Islamic world and Denmark,<ref>{{cite news|title= Anti-Muslim video sparks new outrage against Denmark|org=The Independent|url=http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article1826296.ece}}</ref> with the OIC and many countries weighing in. The Danish government condemned the youths. The youths who were depicted on the video went into hiding after receiving death threats.

Two weeks into this episode, a Danish ]s' group, "]", claimed responsibility for the video and said it had ] the Danish People's Party Youth for 18 months claiming "to document (their) ] wing associations".<ref>{{cite news|title=Web sites remove videos mocking Muhammad|org=AP|url= http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061010/ap_on_re_eu/denmark_prophet_drawings}}</ref>

A few days later a new episode surfaced, when a member of the ] stated, that members of the movement had also drawn pictures of Muhammad during a weekend meeting.

All four videos of the controversy can be seen .


== Opinions and issues == == Opinions and issues ==

Revision as of 13:21, 29 May 2007

The controversial cartoons of Muhammad, as they were first published in Jyllands-Posten in September 2005. Larger versions of the cartoons (some translated into English) are available off-site.

The Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy began after twelve editorial cartoons, most of which depicted the Islamic prophet Muhammad, were published in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten on 2005-09-30. The newspaper announced that this publication was an attempt to contribute to the debate regarding criticism of Islam and self-censorship.

Danish Muslim organizations, who objected to the depictions, responded by holding public protests attempting to raise awareness of Jyllands-Posten's publication. The controversy deepened when further examples of the cartoons were reprinted in newspapers in more than fifty other countries. This led to protests across the Muslim world, some of which escalated into violence, including setting fire to the Norwegian and Danish Embassies in Syria, and the storming of European buildings and desecration of the Danish and German flags in Gaza City. While a number of Muslim leaders called for protesters to remain peaceful, other radical Muslim leaders across the globe, including Mahmoud al-Zahar of Hamas, issued death threats. Various groups also responded with support of the Danish policies, including numerous "Buy Danish" campaigns and various displays of support for the "free speech" of Denmark.

Critics of the cartoons described them as Islamophobic or racist, and argue that they are blasphemous to people of the Muslim faith, intended to humiliate a Danish minority, or are a manifestation of ignorance about the history of western imperialism, from colonialism to the current conflicts in the Middle East.

Supporters of the cartoons said they've illustrated an important issue in a period of Islamist terrorism and that their publication is a legitimate exercise of the right of free speech. They also claim that similar cartoons about other religions are frequently printed, arguing that the followers of Islam were not targeted in a discriminatory way.

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen described the controversy as Denmark's worst international crisis since World War II.

Descriptions of the drawings

Main article: Descriptions of the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons

Some of the cartoons can be difficult to fully understand for those without knowledge of certain Danish language metaphors or awareness of individuals of note to the Danish public. Furthermore, certain cartoons have captions written in Danish and one in Persian. Detailed descriptions of the cartoons and translations of the captions as well as explanations concerning Danish cultural references are provided here.


Opinions and issues

See also: Opinions on the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy See also: International reactions to the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy

Danish journalistic tradition

Freedom of speech was obtained in a new Danish constitution in 1849, and has been defended vigorously ever since. It was suspended for the duration of the German occupation of Denmark in World War II. Freedom of expression is also protected by the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The Danish newspapers are privately owned and independent from the government, and Danish freedom of expression is quite far-reaching, even by Western standards. In the past, this has provoked official protests from Germany about printing neo-nazi propaganda, and from Russia for "solidarity with terrorists." The organization Reporters Without Borders ranks Denmark at the top of its Worldwide Press Freedom Index for 2005.

Religion is often portrayed in ways that other societies consider illegal blasphemy. While Jyllands-Posten has published satirical cartoons depicting Christian figures, it did, in 2003, reject unsolicited surreal cartoons depicting Jesus, opening them to accusations of a double standard. In February 2006, Jyllands-Posten also refused to publish Holocaust denial cartoons offered by an Iranian newspaper. Six of the less controversial entries were later published by Dagbladet Information, after the editors consulted the main rabbi in Copenhagen, and three cartoons were in fact later reprinted in Jyllands-Posten. After the competition had finished, Jyllands-Posten also reprinted the winning and runner-up cartoons.

Muslim tradition

Aniconism

Main articles: Aniconism in Islam and Depictions of Muhammad
File:Aziz efendi-muhammad alayhi s-salam.jpg
"Muhammad" in Arabic calligraphy.

Owing to the traditions of aniconism in Islam, the majority of art concerning Muhammad is calligraphic in nature. The Qur'an condemns idolatry, and pictoral forms are seen as ostensibly close to idol worship. These are found in Ahadith : "Ibn ‘Umar reported Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) having said: Those who paint pictures would be punished on the Day of Resurrection and it would be said to them: Breathe soul into what you have created."

File:Muhammad 2.jpg
Muhammad rededicating the Kaaba Black Stone. In Jami Al-Tawarikh "The Universal History" by Rashid Al-Din, at the University of Edinburgh library; c. 1315.

Within Muslim communities, views have varied regarding pictorial representations. Shi'a Islam has been generally tolerant of pictorial representations of human figures, including Muhammad. Contemporary Sunni Islam generally forbids any pictorial representation of Muhammad, but has had periods allowing depictions of Muhammad's face covered with a veil or as a featureless void emanating light. A few contemporary interpretations of Islam, such as some adherents of Wahhabism and Salafism, are entirely aniconistic and condemn pictorial representations of any kind. The Taliban, while in power in Afghanistan, banned television, photographs and images in newspapers and destroyed paintings including frescoes in the vicinity of the Buddhas of Bamyan.

Prohibition to insult Muhammad

In Muslim societies, insulting the Islamic prophet Muhammad is considered one of the gravest of all crimes. Some interpretations of the Shariah, in particular the relatively fringe Salafi group, state that any insult to Muhammad warrants death.

However, the Organization of the Islamic Conference has denounced calls for the death of the Danish cartoonist. OIC's Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu told journalists in Islamabad:

This is not a joke to go and say kill this and that. This is a very serious matter and nobody has the authority to issue a ruling to kill people.

Associating Islam with terrorism

Many Muslims have explained their anti-cartoon stance as against insulting pictures and not so much as against pictures in general. According to the BBC:

It is the satirical intent of the cartoonists and the association of the Prophet with terrorism, that is so offensive to the vast majority of Muslims.

— 

Why is the insult so deeply felt by some Muslims? Of course, there is the prohibition on images of Muhammad. But one cartoon, showing the Prophet wearing a turban shaped as a bomb with a burning fuse, extends the caricature of Muslims as terrorists to Muhammad. In this image, Muslims see a depiction of Islam, its prophet and Muslims in general as terrorists. This will certainly play into a widespread perception among Muslims across the world that many in the West harbour a hostility towards – or fear of – Islam and Muslims.

— 

Islamism and accusations of xenophobia

Main articles: Muslims in Western Europe and Multiculturalism

Fundamentalist Islam is seen to be a problem in Europe recently, while disillusionment with multiculturalism is on the rise in Denmark. This is further fuelled by Mullah Krekar stating that "the number of Muslims is expanding like mosquitoes." The UNCHR Special Rapporteur, on the other hand, saw xenophobia and racism in Europe as the root of the controversy, particularly singling out Denmark.

Allegations of "agendas"

Agendas in the West

Some commentators see the publications of the cartoons and the riots that took place in response, as part of a coordinated effort to show Muslims and Islam in a bad light, thus influencing public opinion in the West in aid of various political projects, for example to support further military intervention in the Middle East. Most commentators in Europe framed the dispute as one between Islam and freedom of expression, which was useful banner "under which the most diverse sectors of society can unite in the name of ‘European values’: feminists and Christian conservatives, social democrats and neoliberals, nationalists and multiculturalists, civil rights activists and consumption-oriented hedonists."

The controversy was used to highlight a supposedly irreconcilable rift between Europeans and Islam, and many demonstrations in the Middle-East were encouraged by the regimes there for their own purposes. Different groups used this tactic for different purposes, some more explicitly than others: for example anti-immigrant groups, nationalists, feminists, classical liberals and national governments.

Muslim critics have also accused the west, in particular the EU, of double standards in adopting laws that outlaw Holocaust denial. Denmark, along with Britain and Sweden, have particularly libertarian traditions concerning Holocaust denial and pressed for wording in a recent EU legislation that would avoid criminalizing debates about the Holocaust and would ensure that films and plays about the Holocaust would not be censored.

Alleged Zionist agenda

Among others, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blamed a "Zionist conspiracy" for the row over the cartoons. The Palestinian envoy to Washington alleged the Likud party concocted distribution of Muhammad caricatures worldwide in a bid to create a clash between the West and the Muslim world. The criminalization of denial of the Holocaust in parts of Europe received renewed interest, raising concerns over freedom of speech being asserted selectively, although no such criminalization exists in Denmark.

Islamist or Mideast regime agendas

Other commentators see Islamists jockeying for influence both in Europe and the Islamic Ummah, who tried (unsuccessfully) to widen the split between the USA and Europe, and simultaneously bridge the split between the Sunnis and the Shia.

Regimes in the Middle East have been accused of taking advantage of the controversy, and adding to it, in order to demonstrate their Islamic credentials, distracting from their failures by setting up an external enemy, and "(using) the cartoons as a way of showing that the expansion of freedom and democracy in their countries would lead inevitably to the denigration of Islam." Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced a Holocaust Conference, supported by the OIC, to uncover what he called the "myth" used to justify the creation of Israel. Ahmadinejad started voicing doubt about the veracity of the holocaust at the same OIC conference in Mecca that served to spread the Akkari-Laban dossier to leaders of the Muslim world.

Alleged political correctness

Critics of political correctness see the cartoon controversy as a sign that attempts at judicial codification of such concepts as respect, tolerance and offense have backfired on their advocates, "leaving them without a leg to stand on" and in retreat again:

The issue will almost certainly lead to a revisiting of the lamentable laws against "hate speech" in Europe, and with any luck to a debate on whether these laws are more likely to destroy public harmony than encourage it. Muslim activists are finding out why getting into a negative-publicity fight is as inadvisable as wrestling with a pig: You get dirty and the pig enjoys it.

— 


See also

References

  1. "Arson and Death Threats as Muhammad Caricature Controversy Escalates". Spiegel online. 2006-02-04. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
  2. "Embassies torched in cartoon fury". CNN.com. 2006-02-05. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
  3. Cartoons of Prophet Met With Outrage Washington Post. "Kuwait called the cartoons "despicable racism."
    ° Blasphemous Cartoons Trigger Muslim Fury Iran Daily. "Although Jyllands-Posten maintains that the drawings were an exercise in free speech, many consider them as provocative, racist and Islamophobic"
    ° Muslim cartoon row timeline BBC online "Egyptian newspaper al-Fagr reprints some of the cartoons, describing them as a "continuing insult" and a "racist bomb".
  4. "Islam and globanalisation". Al Ahram. 2006-03-23. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. "The limits to free speech - Cartoon wars". The Economist. 2006-02-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. "70,000 gather for violent Pakistan cartoons protest". Times Online. 2006-02-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. Template:PDFlink
  8. "Chechen rebels seek talks with Moscow". BBC News. 28 October, 2002. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. "World Press Freedom Index, 2005". Reporters Without Borders.
  10. Painting by Jens Jørgen Thorsen
  11. Danish movie Jesus vender tilbage on Internet Movie Database
  12. Jesus vender tilbage plot description in the New York Times
  13. Drawing from Jyllands-Posten
  14. Zieler, Resurrection
  15. Gwladys Fouché (February 6, 2006). "Danish paper rejected Jesus cartoons". The Guardian.
  16. "No Holocaust Cartoons in Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten". Jyllands-Posten. 2006-02-09. Retrieved 2006-09-17. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. Danish paper refuses Holocaust cartoons, The Scotsman, 9 February 2006
  18. "Paper reprints Holocaust cartoons". BBC News. 2006-09-08. Retrieved 2006-09-08.
  19. "Holocaust-konkurrence flopper". Jyllands-Posten. 2006-09-15. Retrieved 2006-09-17. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  20. "Holocaust-konkurrence flopper (p. 16)". Jyllands-Posten. 2006-09-16. Retrieved 2006-09-17. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. "Iran varsler endnu flere Holocaust-konkurrencer (p. 20)". Jyllands-Posten. 2006-11-03. Retrieved 2006-11-05. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  22. Translation of Sahih Muslim, Book 24
  23. Translation of Sahih Muslim, Book 24
  24. Translation of Sahih Muslim, Book 24
  25. Islam Today: Drawing Pictures & Producing Animated Cartoons
  26. Answers of Grand Ayatollah Uzma Sistani
  27. CAIR press release
  28. Afghanistan: At the Crossroads of Ancient Civilisations
  29. "Question #22809: Ruling on one who insults the Prophet". Islam Q & A.
  30. "OIC denounces cartoons violence". BBC.
  31. Abdelhadi, Magdi (4 February 2006). "Cartoon row highlights deep divisions". BBC News. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  32. "Q&A: Depicting the Prophet Muhammad". BBC News. 2 February 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. "Europe vs. Radical Islam by [[Francis Fukuyama]]". Policy Review. 27 February 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  34. "Stoned to death... why Europe is starting to lose its faith in Islam". Times Online. 4 December 2004. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  35. "Denmark, the Euro, and fear of the Foreign". Policy Review. 1 December 2000. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  36. "Krekar claims Islam will win". Aftenposten (English Edition). 2006-03-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  37. "Libyan Leader Mu'ammar Al-Qadhafi: Europe and the U.S. Should Agree to Become Islamic or Declare War on the Muslims". Middle East Research Institute. 2006-04-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  38. "Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination (E/CN.4/2006/17)". UNCHR. 13 February 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  39. "Denmark's new values". Guardian. 15 February 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  40. "Second reprt on Denmark". European Commission against Racism and Intolerance. 3 February 2001. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  41. "Cultural racism: something rotten in the state of Denmark?". Social & Cultural Geography, Volume 2, Number 2, Karen Wren. 1 June 2001. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  42. "Islam and globanalisation". Al-Ahram. 23 March 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  43. "Rotten in Denmark". antiwar. 23 March 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  44. Heiko Henkel (May/June 2006). "'The journalists of Jyllands-Posten are a bunch of reactionary provocateurs' The Danish cartoon controversy and the self-image of Europe". Radical Phillosophy. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  45. "EU adopts measure outlawing Holocaust denial". International Herald Tribune. 2007-04-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  46. "Qatari University Lecturer Ali Muhi Al-Din Al-Qardaghi: Muhammad Cartoon Is a Jewish Attempt to Divert European Hatred from Jews to Muslims". Al-Jazeera/MemriTV. 2 March 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  47. "Cartoons 'part of Zionist plot'". Guardian. 7 February 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  48. "PA: Likud behind Muhammad cartoons". ynet. 13 February 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  49. "Anti-Semitism in the Egyptian Media". Anti-Defamation League. 1997.
  50. "Irving tests Europe's free speech". BBC. 20 February 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  51. "Iranian paper launches Holocaust cartoon competition". The Times. 6 February 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  52. "Iran paper plans Holocaust cartoons". Al-Jazeera. 6 February 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  53. "The Cartoon Jihad-The Muslim Brotherhood's project for dominating the West". Weekly Standard. 20 February 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  54. "Behind the cartoon war: radical clerics competing for followers". Christian Science Monitor. 23 February 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  55. "Islamic Activism Sweeps Saudi Arabia". Washington Post. 23 March 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  56. "The Cartoon Backlash: Redefining Alignments". Stratfor. 7 February 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  57. "Cartoons Tap Into Deep-Seated Grievances". Forbes. 8 February 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  58. "En uhellig alliance har bragt konflikten om det hellige ud af kontrol«". Information. 1 February 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Template:Da icon
  59. "Opportunists Make Use of Cartoon Protests". Washington Times. 9 February 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  60. "Clash of Civilization". WallStreetJournal. 11 February 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  61. "Iran plans Holocaust conference". CNN. 16 February 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  62. "Tehran faces backlash over conference to question Holocaust". Guardian. 16 January 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  63. "Iranian president says Israel should be moved to Europe". USAToday. 16 January 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  64. "How a meeting of leaders in Mecca set off the cartoon wars around the world". The Independent. 2006-02-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  65. "Respectful Cultures & Disrespectful Cartoons". Counterpunch News. 13 February 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  66. "The Mountain Comes to Muhammad". Reason Magazine. 13 February 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

External links

Primary sources

Islamic views

Non-Islamic views

Press reviews

Video

Images

Online petitions

Other sources

Categories: