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<span id="mi">
]'' in September 2005. versions of the cartoons are available off-site.]]</span>

The '''''Jyllands-Posten'' Muhammad cartoons controversy''' began after ] depicting the ] ] were published in the ] newspaper '']'' on ], ]. Danish Muslim organizations staged protests in response. As the controversy has grown, some or all of the cartoons have been ] in more than fifty other countries, leading to violent ]s, particularly in the ].

Critics claim that the cartoons are culturally insulting, ], ], and intended to humiliate a marginalized Danish minority. Supporters of the cartoons claim they illustrate an important issue and their publication exercises the right of ]. They also claim that there are similar cartoons about other ], arguing that ] and its followers have not been targeted in a ] way.

] ] has described the controversy as ]'s worst international crisis since ]. <ref>{{citenews|date=]|title=
70,000 gather for violent Pakistan cartoons protest|org=Times Online|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,25689-2041723,00.html}}</ref>

== Overview ==
{{Muhammad cartoons}}
], the cultural editor of the conservative daily newspaper ''Jyllands-Posten'', contacted approximately 40 cartoonists and asked them to draw the prophet as they saw him. This was meant to highlight the difficulty experienced by Danish writer ] in finding artists to illustrate his ] about Muhammad. Artists previously approached by Bluitgen were reportedly unwilling to work with him for fear of violent attacks by ] Muslims. Rose eventually received twelve cartoons from different ]s for the project and published the cartoons accompanied by an article on ] and ].

Several ]s have been made against those responsible for the cartoons, reportedly resulting in the cartoonists going into hiding. <!-- dead links - http://www.jp.dk/english_news/artikel:aid=3306572/, http://www.jp.dk/english_news/artikel:aid=3378236/ - dead links -->
The ] of eleven Islamic countries demanded action from the Danish government, and several Arab countries eventually closed their embassies in Denmark in protest after the government initially refused to intervene or apologize. PM Rasmussen said, "The government refuses to apologize because the government does not control the media or a newspaper outlet; that would be in violation of the freedom of speech".<ref>{{citenews|date=]|title=Cartoons that dare not show their face: Europeans must stand up against intolerance|org=Rocky Mountain News|url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/editorials/article/0,2777,DRMN_23964_4446067,00.html}}</ref>

A group of Danish Imams ] decision-makers in the Middle East. A large consumer ] was organised in ], ], and other Middle East countries.<ref>{{citenews|date=]|title=The Incitors and the Incited|org=Der Spiegel International Edition|url=http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,399879,00.html}}</ref> Rumours spread via ] and word-of-mouth.<ref>{{citenews|date=]|title=E-Mail, Blogs, Text Messages Propel Anger Over Images|org=Washington Post|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/08/AR2006020802293.html}}</ref> The foreign ministers of seventeen Islamic countries renewed calls for the Danish government to punish those responsible for the cartoons, and to ensure that such cartoons would not be published again. The ] and the ] have demanded that the ] impose ] upon Denmark<ref name="UN resolution">{{citenews|date=]|title=Muslims seek UN resolution over Danish prophet cartoons|org=AFP|url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060129/wl_mideast_afp/denmarkislamsyriabahrainunreligion_060129160121}}</ref> and that the ] introduce blasphemy laws.<ref>{{citenews|date=]|title=OIC chief presses EU to pass blasphemy laws. |org=The Peninsula|url=http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=World_News&subsection=Gulf%2C+Middle+East+%26+Africa&month=February2006&file=World_News2006021442143.xml}}</ref> For weeks, numerous protests against the cartoons have taken place worldwide, some of them violent. On ] ], the buildings containing the Danish and Norwegian embassies in Syria were set ablaze, although no one was hurt. In ] the Danish ] office was set on fire,<ref>{{citenews|date=]|title=Protesters burn consulate over cartoons|org=CNN|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/02/05/cartoon.protests/index.html}}</ref> resulting in the death of one protester inside.<ref>{{citenews|date=]|title=Protestors killed as global furor over cartoons escalates|org=Middle East Times|url=http://www.metimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=20060206-081448-7380r}}</ref>

== Descriptions of the drawings ==
The twelve drawings are shown in the picture at the top of this article. Clockwise from top:

* The Islamic ] merged with the face of Muhammad; his right eye is the star, the crescent surrounds his beard and face.
* Muhammad with a bomb in his turban, with a lit fuse and the ] written on the bomb. This drawing (made by a cartoonist employed by Jyllands-Posten), is considered the most controversial of the twelve. Asked about the message of the drawing, the cartoonist later explained:
:<blockquote>The cartoon is not about Islam as a whole, but the part that apparently can inspire violence, terrorism, death and destruction. And thereby the fundamentalist part of Islam. I wanted to point out that terrorists get their spiritual ammunition from Islam.

:<blockquote>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. I think there is no escaping that. That does not mean that all Muslims are responsible for terror. It is about showing a connection, from where the spiritual fuel comes. There are some interpretations of Islam, according to which you become a martyr if you die for Islam, and you can therefore with a calm mind kill the infidels, and you will be rewarded in the beyond.

:<blockquote>If a religion develops into religious fanaticism we are faced with totalitarian tendencies, as we have been in the past, such as Fascism and Nazism. It is the same situation, where humans have to surrender and do as demanded by the rulers. I think we should fight against that, and the weapon of a cartoonist is this pen or pencil and then a certain degree of indignation.</blockquote>

:Asked whether the cartoon displays appropriate respect for Islam, the cartoonist commented:
:<blockquote>It does not respect the version of Islam, that provides the spiritual fuel for terrorists. I have nothing against Islam or Muslims. They should have their freedom, but 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. Under communism thousands of satirical drawings and other satire were made that revealed and spoke against it. <ref>{{da icon}}{{citenews|date=]|title=Jyllands-Posten: Bomben's Ophavsmand|url=http://www.jp.dk/indland/artikel:aid=3579530}}</ref></blockquote>

<!--
::Original text<ref>{{da icon}}{{citenews|date=]|title=Jyllands-Posten: Bomben's Ophavsmand|url=http://www.jp.dk/indland/artikel:aid=3579530}}</ref>: Tegningen går ikke på Islam som helhed, men på den del som åbenbart kan inspirere til vold, terrorisme, død og ødelæggelse. Og dermed den fundamentalistiske del af Islam. Jeg ville påvise, at terrorister får deres spirituelle ammunition fra Islam.
::Der er fortolkninger af den, som ikke er rigtige. Det er den almindelige opfattelse blandt Muslimer, at den går på Islam som helhed. Det gør den ikke. Den går på nogle bestemte fundamentalistiske træk, som selvfølgelig ikke deles af alle. Men brændstoffet i terroristernes handlinger kommer fra fortolkninger af Islam. Det synes jeg ikke, man kan komme bort fra. Det betyder ikke, at alle Muslimer er ansvarlige for terror. Det drejer sig om at påvise en forbindelse, hvor det åndelige brændstof kommer fra. Der er nogle fortolkninger af Islam, hvor du bliver martyr, hvis du dør for Islam, og at du med sindsro kan slå de vantro ihjel, og så vil du blive belønnet i det hinsidige.
::Hvis en religion udarter sig til religiøs fascisme, står vi over for totalitære tendenser, som vi havde før i tiden som fascisme og nazisme. Det er samme situation, hvor mennesker har at bøje nakken og gøre det, man fra styrets side vil have. Det synes jeg, vi skal bekæmpe, og en tegners våben er jo denne her pen eller blyant og så en vis indignation.
::Den respekterer ikke den udgave af Islam, som forsyner terrorister med spirituelt brændstof. Jeg har intet imod Islam eller Muslimer. De skal have lov til at have deres frihed, men hvis dele af en religion udarter sig i totalitær og aggressiv retning, så synes jeg, man skal protestere. Det gjorde vi under de andre ismer. Under kommunismen blev der lavet tusindvis af satiriske tegninger og anden satire, der afslørede og vendte sig mod den.-->
* Muhammad standing in a gentle pose with a ] in the shape of a crescent moon. The middle part of the crescent is obscured, revealing only the edges which resemble horns.
* A schematic stick drawing of five almost identical figures. Each of them resembles a headscarf seen from the side and has a ] and a crescent where the face should be. A poem on oppression of women is attached to the cartoon: "Profet! Med kuk og knald i låget som holder kvinder under åget!", which could be translated as: "Prophet, you crazy bloke! Keeping women under yoke!"
* Muhammad as a simple wanderer, in the desert, at sunset. There is a donkey in the background.
* A nervous caricaturist, shakily drawing Muhammad while looking over his shoulder.
* Two angry Muslims charge forward with sabres and bombs, while their leader addresses them with: "Rolig, venner, når alt kommer til alt er det jo bare en tegning lavet af en vantro sønderjyde", referring to a drawing in his hand. In English, his words are: "Relax, friends, at the end of the day, it's just a drawing by an infidel ] (someone from the middle of nowhere)".
* A 7th grade Arab-looking boy in front of a blackboard. Sticking out his tongue, he points to the ] chalkings, which translate into "The editorial team of Jyllands-Posten is a bunch of ] ]s". The boy is labelled "Mohammed, ] school, 7.A", implying that this is a second-generation immigrant to Denmark rather than the founder of Islam. On his shirt is written "FREM" and then in a new line "-TIDEN". ''Fremtiden'' means ''the future'', but ] (''forward'') is also the name of a Valby football team whose uniforms resemble the boy's shirt. Valby is a district of Copenhagen known for having a concentrated population of immigrants.
* Another drawing (made by a cartoonist employed at Jyllands-Posten) shows Muhammad ], with a short sabre in one hand and a black bar censoring his eyes. He seems to be smiling. He is flanked by two women in ]s, having only their wide open eyes visible.
* Muhammad standing on a cloud, greeting dead ]s with "Stop Stop vi er løbet tør for Jomfruer!" Translated in English: "Stop, stop, we have run out of virgins!", an allusion to the promised reward to Islam ]s.
* Another shows journalist ], wearing a turban with the ]ial orange dropping into it, with the inscription "]". In his hand is a child's stick drawing of Muhammad. The proverb "an orange in the turban" is a Danish expression meaning "a stroke of luck": here, the added publicity for the book.

And in the centre:
* A police line-up of seven people wearing turbans, with the witness saying: "Hm... jeg kan ikke lige genkende ham" ("Hm... I can't really recognise him"). Not all people in the line-up are immediately identifiable. They are: (1) A generic ], (2) right-wing politician ], (3) possibly ], (4) possibly ], (5) possibly ], (6) generic Indian ], and (7) journalist ], carrying a sign saying: "Kåres PR, ring og få et tilbud" ("Kåre's public relations, call and get an offer").

== Timeline ==
{{wikinewshas|news relating to this article|
* ]
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* ]
* ]
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* ]
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}}

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

=== Debate about self-censorship ===
On ] ], the Danish newspaper '']'' ran an article under the headline ''"Dyb angst for kritik af islam"''<ref name="dybangst">{{da icon}}{{citenews|date=]|title=Dyb angst for kritik af islam|org=Politiken|url=http://politiken.dk/VisArtikel.sasp?PageID=397712}}</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 prophet Muhammad's life"). Three artists declined Bluitgen's proposal before an artist 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 ] was assaulted by five assailants who opposed the lecturer's reading of the ] to non-Muslims during a lecture<ref>{{da icon}}{{citenews|date=]|title=Overfaldet efter Koran-læsning|org=TV 2 (Denmark)|url=http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/article.php?id=1424089}}</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. The comedian ] declared that he would (hypothetically) dare to urinate on the Bible on television, but not on the Qur'an<ref>{{da icon}}{{citenews|title=Komik - Klovnens grænse|org=Jyllands-Posten|date=]|url=http://zulu.tv2.dk/programmer/article.php?id=2909459}}</ref><ref name="whyipub">{{citenews|date=]|title=Why I Published Those Cartoons|org=WashingtonPost|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/17/AR2006021702499.html}}</ref>, while the translators of an essay collection critical of Islam also wished to remain anonymous due to concerns about violent reaction.

=== Publication of the drawings ===
On ] ], the daily newspaper ''Jyllands-Posten'' ("The ] Post") published an article titled "Muhammeds ansigt"<ref name="muhammeds_ansigt">{{da icon}}{{citenewsauthor|given=Flemming|surname=Rose|date=]|title=Muhammeds ansigt|org=Jyllands-Posten|url=http://www.jp.dk/login?url=indland/artikel:aid=3293102:fid=11146}}</ref> ("The face of Muhammad"). The article consisted of 12 cartoons (of which only some depicted Muhammad) and an explanatory text, in which ], ''Jyllands-Posten'''s culture editor, commented:
<blockquote>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 ] 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" /></blockquote>

After an invitation from ''Jyllands-Posten'' to around forty different artists to give their interpretation of Muhammad, twelve ]s chose to respond with a drawing each. Some of these twelve drawings portray Muhammad in different fashions; many also comment on the surrounding self-censorship debate. Four of these twelve cartoons were illustrated by Jyllands-Posten's own staff, including the "bomb" and "niqaab" cartoons.

In the ''Washington Post'', on February 19, Rose explained his intent further:
<blockquote>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. Angry voices claim the cartoon is saying that the prophet is a terrorist or that every Muslim is a terrorist. I read it differently: Some individuals have taken the religion of Islam hostage by committing terrorist acts in the name of the prophet. They are the ones who have given the religion a bad name.<ref name="whyipub" /></blockquote>

In October the Danish daily ] polled 31 of the 43 members of the Danish cartoonist association. 23 were willing to draw Muhammad. One had doubts, one refused because of fear for reprisals, 6 cartoonists refused to make the drawings because they respected the Muslim ban on depicting the prophet. 15 of the 31 cartoonists rejected Jyllands-Posten's project.<ref>"Profetens ansigt: Ingen selvcensur blandt tegnere". Politiken 20. oktober 2005, 2. sektion, side 3</ref>

=== Jyllands-Posten response ===
In response to protests from Danish Muslim groups ''Jyllands-Posten'' published two open letters on its website, both in ] and Arabic versions, and the second letter also in an English version.<ref>{{ar icon}}</ref><ref></ref> The second letter was dated ] ], and includes the following explanation and apology:

<blockquote>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.</blockquote>

=== Meeting with Islamic Ambassadors refused by Danish Prime Minister ===
Having received petitions from Danish imams, eleven Islamic ambassadors asked for a meeting with Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen in ] ], in order to discuss what they perceive as an "on-going smearing campaign in Danish public circles and media against Islam and Muslims". The ambassadors mention not only the issue of the Muhammad cartoons, but also a recent indictment against ]<ref>{{citenews|title=Denmark targets extremist media |date=]|url=
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4159220.stm| org=BBC}}</ref> and statements by MP ]<ref>{{citenews|title=Ordene på Louise Freverts hjemmeside|date=]|url=http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/baggrund/article.php?id=2946997
| org=TV2 (Denmark)}}</ref> and the Minister of Culture ]<ref>{{citenews|title=Mikkelsen blæser til ny kulturkamp|date=]|url=
http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/article.php?id=2923885| org=TV2 (Denmark)}}</ref>. It concludes: "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>{{en icon}}[http://www.filtrat.dk/grafik/Letterfromambassadors.pdf Official letter from the 12 ambassadors</ref>

The government answered the ambassadors' request for a meeting with Rasmussen with a letter only, because it apparently interpreted the letter as asking Rasmussen to take legal steps against the newspaper, and the government did not see this as an acceptable basis for a meeting: "The freedom of expression has a wide scope and the Danish governments 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>{{en icon}}</ref>

The ambassadors, on the other hand, maintain that they have never really asked that Jyllands-Posten should be prosecuted; possibly, the non-technical phrase of the letter, "to take NN to task under law", means something like "to hold NN responsible within the limits of the law".<ref>{{da icon}}Politiken, 19 Februar, 2006</ref> <ref>{{citenews|title=Ambassadør-breve blev forvekslet i Politiken|date=]|url=http://politiken.dk/VisArtikel.iasp?PageID=439519| org=Politiken}}</ref>. Rasmussen replies that this interpretation is irrelevant: "Even a non-judicial intervention against Jyllands-Posten would be impossible in our system".<ref>{{citenews|title=»Oversættelsen er helt uvæsentlig«|date=]|url=http://politiken.dk/VisArtikel.iasp?PageID=439706| org=Politiken}}</ref>

The Egypt Minister of Foreign Affairs, ], wrote several letters to the Prime Minister of Denmark and one letter to the ] in October and November 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>{{citenews|title=Egypten gav Fogh mulighed for forsoning|date=]|url=http://politiken.dk/VisArtikel.iasp?PageID=439859| org=Politiken}}</ref> Subsequently, allegedly disappointed by not being heard by the Danish government, Egypt played a leading role in diffusing the knowledge of the Muhammad cartoons to the other regimes of the Middle East.<ref>{{citenews|title=Egypten stod bag profetkampagne|date=]|url=http://politiken.dk/VisArtikel.iasp?PageID=439149
| org=Politiken}}</ref>

The refusal to meet the ambassadors is a major point of criticism towards the government from the opposition. It has also been criticized by 22 Danish ex-ambassadors<ref>{{citenews|title=Danish ambassadors criticise Andersen Fogh Rasmussen|date=]|url=http://politiken.dk/VisArtikel.sasp?PageID=425730| org=Politiken}}</ref> and by Rasmussen's predecessor as the leader of the governing liberal party ], ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs, ].

===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"> {{citenews | title = Official Response by the Danish Government to the UN Special Rapporteurs | org = Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark | date = ] | url = http://www.um.dk/NR/rdonlyres/00D9E6F7-32DC-4C5A-8E24-F0C96E813C06/0/060123final.pdf }} </ref>

Section 140 of the Criminal Code prohibits disturbing public order by publicly ridiculing or insulting the dogmas of worship of any lawfully existing religious community in Denmark. This law has not been enforced since 1938.<ref></ref> Section 266b criminalises insult, threat or degradation of natural persons, by publicly and with ill intent attacking their race, color of skin, national or ethnical roots, or sexual orientation. Danish police began their investigation of these complaints on ] ]. <ref name="danish_response_to_un_jan"/>

On ] ], the Regional Public Prosecutor in ] discontinued the investigation as he found no basis for concluding that the cartoons constituted a criminal offence. He stated that, in assessing what constitutes an offence, the right to freedom of speech must be taken into consideration. That while the right to freedom of speech must be exercised with the necessary respect for other human rights, including the right to protection against discrimination, insult and degradation, no apparent violation of the law had occurred. <ref name="danish_response_to_un_jan"/>

=== 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 43-page doument entitled, "''Dossier about championing the prophet Muhammad peace be upon him''"<ref>{{citenews|title=The imam and the unbelievers of Denmark|org=Ekstra Bladet|date=]|url=http://ekstrabladet.dk/VisArtikel.iasp?PageID=334426}}</ref>.

The dossier consists 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 12 cartoons);
# hate-mail pictures and letters that the dossier's authors alleged were sent to Muslims in Denmark, which they claimed were indicative of the rejection of Muslims by the Danish;
# a televised interview with ] member of parliament and Islam critic ], who had just 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 are 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>{{da icon}}{{citenews|title=Sådan gik chatten - Bjerager og Akkari|org=TV2|date=]|url=http://politik.tv2.dk/article.php/3617652.html}} See question asked by ''xaria'' and answered by Akkari</ref> On ] ] incorrectly reported that one of them had been published in ''Jyllands-Posten''. <ref>{{da icon}}{{citenews|title=Imam viste falske billeder|org=Jyllands-Posten|date=]|url=http://www.jp.dk/indland/artikel:aid=3527718}}</ref> This image was later found to be a wire-service photo of a contestant at a French pig-squealing contest <ref></ref> (the original wire service article can be seen here <ref></ref>), although the dossier's version also included the caption ''Here is the true face of Muhammad'' (in Danish, with an Arabic translation). According to the BBC, this image was reportedly circulated by Danish Muslims to illustrate the atmosphere of Islamophobia which they lived under<ref></ref>. One of the other two additional images portrayed a Muslim being mounted by a dog while praying (pigs and dogs are considered unclean animals (]) in Islam), and the other portrayed Muhammad as a demonic pedophile (which likely is a reference to the ]).

The group of Imams set out for a tour of the Middle East to present their case to many influential religious and political leaders, and to ask for support:<ref></ref>
The dossier contains statements such as:
*We urge you to - on the behalf of thousands of believing Muslims - 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
* We call your attention to this case, and place it in your hands, in such a way that we together may think and have an objective dialogue regarding how an appropriate exit can be found for these crises in a way which does not violate the freedom of speech, but which at the same time does not offend the feelings of Muslims either.

It also contains misinformation such as:

* 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 Christian faith, the secularizations have overcome them, and if you say that they are all infidels, then you are not wrong.
* This happened in connection with the promotion of a book, which has recently been published, and which contains these inappropriate cartoons

It is notable that the letters in the dossier that long predate the tour to the Middle East are solidly within the diplomatic and conciliatory range and are generally free of misinformation, while the later letters use a more urgent language. The dossier appears to have been assembled and added to until some point after ] ], with the first lobbying visits to Egypt having taken place before finalization.

The inclusion in the dossier of the cartoons from Weekendavisen was perhaps not due as much to willful misinformation as possibly a misunderstanding. They were more likely parodies on the pompousness of Jylland-Posten's cartoons than cartoons of the prophet in their own right<ref>{{da icon}}</ref>, and 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'', a very obvious parody of the ]), or Composition VIII by Russian abstract artist ] (caption: ''Bellowing Prophet by a Forest Lake'', a pun on "Bellowing Deer by a Forest Lake", an image associated with very poor taste.)

At a ] ] summit of the ], with many heads of state in attendance, the dossier was handed around on the sidelines first<ref>{{citenews|title= How a meeting of leaders in Mecca set off the cartoon wars around the world|org=The Independent|date=]|url=http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article344482.ece}}</ref>, and eventually an official communique was issued.<ref name="UN resolution" />

===Reprinting in other newspapers===
], ]'' -
One of the controversial cartoons of Muhammad, as it appeared on the first page of the Egyptian newspaper '']''.]]{{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 reprinted by the Egyptian newspaper '']'' on ], ]<ref>{{citenews|date=]|title=Danes Blame Imams for Satire Escalation, Survey Says (Update1)|org=Bloomberg|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000085&sid=a8hEmi2ja5cg&refer=europe}}</ref><ref>{{citenews|date=]|title=First Newsbreaker|org=egyptiansandmonkey|url=<!-- http://elfagr.org/ed_21.html -->http://egyptiansandmonkey.blogspot.com/}}</ref><ref>{{citenews|date=]|title=No Danish Treatment for an Egyptian Newspaper|org=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 reactions nor condemnations from either religious or government authorities. Some or all of the cartoons were reprinted between October 2005 and the end of January 2006 in major ] newspapers from ], ], ], ] and ]. Very soon after, as protests grew, there were further re-publications around the globe, but mostly in continental Europe.

Notable by their absence were re-publications from major newspapers in the ]<ref>{{citenews|date=]|title=A media dilemma: The rest of a story|org=Philadelphia Inquirer|url=http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/front/13788640.htm}}</ref> and the ]<ref>{{citenews|date=]|title=US, British media tread carefully in cartoon furor|org=Christian Science Monitor|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0206/dailyUpdate.html}}</ref>, where editorials covered the story, but almost unanimously took a stance against re-publication of the Muhammad cartoons.

Several editors were fired for their decision, or even their intention<ref>{{citenews|date=]|title=Paper withdrawn over cartoon row|org=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4689442.stm}}</ref><ref></ref>,to re-publish the cartoons (most prominently Jacques Lefranc, managing director of '']'', owned by Egyptian businessman ]). Some were stopped by their publishers<ref>{{citenews|date=]|title=NY Press Kills Cartoons; Staff Walks Out|org=The New York Observer|url=http://thepoliticker.observer.com/2006/02/ny-press-kills-cartoons-staff-walks-out.html}}</ref><ref>{{citenews|date=]|title=P.E.I. student paper publishes cartoons of Prophet|org=CBC|url=http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/02/08/cartoons-smu-prof.html}}</ref> or the courts<ref>{{citenews|date=]|title=Muslim anger hits SA|org=Sunday Tribune (South Africa)|url=http://www.sundaytribune.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=160&fArticleId=3097465}}</ref>.

Three of the cartoons were reprinted in the ]ian weekly newspaper '']''<ref>{{citenews|date=]|title=Gunmen shut EU Gaza office over cartoons|org=CNN|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/02/02/gaza.cartoon/index.html}}</ref>. The editor, Jihad Momani, was fired, and the publisher withdrew the newspaper from circulation. Jihad Momani issued a public apology, was arrested and charged with insulting religion.<ref>{{citenews|date=]|title=Embassies burn in cartoon protest|org=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4681294.stm}}</ref> Several of the cartoons were reprinted in the Jordanian newspaper ''al-Mehwar''. The editor Hisham Khalidi was also arrested and charged with insulting religion. Both charges were dropped two days later.<ref>{{de icon}}{{citenews|date=]|title=Brennende Botschaften und Antisemitismus|org=Der Spiegel|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,399224,00.html}}</ref>

'']'' newspaper in ] was closed down after publishing some of the cartoons. The owner and editor of the paper, Abdul-Karim Sabra was arrested. <ref>{{citenews|date=]|title= Newspaper shut for printing cartoons|org=The Australian|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,18066782%255E23109,00.html}}</ref>

In ], Lester Melanyi, an editor of the '']'' resigned from his post for allowing the reprinting of a cartoon. In ] non-Muslims are a minority in the otherwise predominantly Muslim state. The chief editor was summoned to the ].<ref>{{citenews|date=]|title=Sarawak paper prints Prophet cartoon, editor quits|org=The Sun (Malaysia)|url=http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=12873}}</ref> The Malaysian government has also shut down the newspaper indefinitely. <ref>{{citenews|date=] ]|title=Islam-West divide 'grows deeper'|org=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4699716.stm}}</ref> Malaysia's third-largest Chinese-language daily, '']'', was suspended from publication of its evening edition for carrying one of the cartoons in its February 3 edition. The suspension ran for two weeks from ] to ], ]. <ref>{{citenews|date=] ]|title=Ministry suspends daily for two weeks|org=The Star (newspaper)|url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/2/15/nation/13400078&sec=nation}}</ref> The ] ] which aired some of the cartoons, however, has not been suspended. <ref>Ooi, Jeff (2006). . Retrieved Feb. 18, 2006.</ref>

Yemen detained three journalists on ], ] and is seeking a fourth after closing three publications that printed the cartoons. '']'', '']'' and '']'' were shut and their case sent to prosecutors. The officials said those detained are Mohammad al-Asaadi, the editor-in-chief of the English-language ''Yemen Observer'', Akram Sabra, the managing editor of ''al-Hurriya'' weekly newspaper, and reporter Yehiya al-Abed of ''Hurriya''. The prosecution has issued a warrant for Kamal al-Aalafi, the editor-in-chief of ''al-Rai al-Aam''. The Yemeni journalists' association called for the release of the journalists and for the annulment of the closure decrees "because these measures were not ordered by a court". <ref>http://www.ww4report.com/node/1586</ref> <ref>http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/3A6809B2-A7A4-4170-9B94-099FAEE84761.htm</ref>

On ], ], ] closed two newspapers and arrested their editors for printing the images of the cartoons of the prophet. Kahel Bousaad and Berkane Bouderbala, the respective editors of pro-Islamist weeklies ''Errisala'' and ''Iqraa'', were detained last week and will appear before an investigating judge in Algiers on Monday, staff of the two Arabic newspapers said. <ref>http://www.ww4report.com/node/1586</ref> <ref>http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/3A6809B2-A7A4-4170-9B94-099FAEE84761.htm</ref>

On ], ], the ] ] ] (which is ] for ''] word'') became the first organ in the ] to publish the images. The day after after publication, the decision was taken to pulp the edition and only approximately 200 copies were actually distributed. The editor along with two journalists were suspended for the decision to publish. Gair Rhydd resumed publication on ], ], with an apology. <ref> </ref>

== Conflicting traditions ==
===Danish journalistic tradition===
] in Denmark was obtained in a new constitution with ] in 1849 and ] in 1901 together with other liberties, including freedom of religion. These freedoms have been defended vigorously ever since. Freedom of speech was abandoned temporarily only during the ] during ].

Section 77 of the Constitutional Act of Denmark (1953) reads: “Any person shall be at liberty to publish his ideas in print, in writing, and in speech, subject to his being held responsible in a court of law. Censorship and other preventive measures shall never again be introduced.”<ref></ref>

Under international law, freedom of expression in Denmark is also protected by among others the ] and the ].

The Danish freedom of expression is quite far-reaching, even by Western standards. Despite official German protests, Denmark has long been a safe haven for printing of ] propaganda. It has also been accused by Russia for "solidarity with terrorists" after hosting a ] congress. <ref></ref> The organization ] ranks Denmark at the top of its Worldwide Press Freedom Index for 2005 .

] and other religious figures are often portrayed in Denmark in ways that many other societies would consider illegal blasphemy. In 1984 the artist ] was commissioned by a local art club to paint the wall of a railway station. The work displayed a naked Jesus with an erect penis.<ref>;</ref> In 1992 Thorsen directed the film ''Jesus vender tilbage'' which showed Jesus as sexually active and involved with a terrorist group.<ref></ref><ref></ref> Although Thorsen’s work provoked much public debate and his painting was removed from the public building, he was not charged with any legal offence. While ] has published cartoons depicting Christian figures , it did, in 2003, reject unsolicited cartoons about Jesus<ref></ref>, opening them to accusations of a ].

Danish newspapers are privately owned and independent from the government. There are no restrictions on the political viewpoints that may be published. There are frequent caricatures of priests and politicians as well as of ].<ref></ref>

=== Islamic aniconistic tradition ===
] at the ]. From ] ("The Universal History" written by ]), a manuscript in the Library of the ]; illustrated in ], ], ] ] during the rule of the ] Arab ] dynasty.]]
{{main2|Aniconism|Depiction of Muhammad}}
The ], Islam's holiest book, condemns idolatry, but has no direct condemnations of pictorial art. Direct prohibitions of pictorial art, or any depiction of sacred figures, are found in certain ], or recorded oral traditions.

Views regarding pictorial representation within several religious communities (i.e. Muslims, Jews, Christians, et cetera) have varied from group to group, and from time to time. Among Muslims, the ] Muslims have been generally tolerant of pictorial representation of human figures including Muhammad. Indeed a ] exists given by ], the ] ] of Iraq, stating that it is permissible to make pictures of ], if done with the highest respect. <ref>http://www.sistani.org/html/eng/menu/4/?lang=eng&view=d&code=234&page=1</ref> ] Muslims who represent 90% of the worlds muslim community<ref>http://www.neighbourhood.gov.uk/page.asp?id=527</ref>, are considered less tolerant. However, the Sunni ], the last dynasty to claim the ], were not only tolerant but even patrons of ] art, some of which depicted Muhammad. These depictions usually show Muhammad's face covered with a veil or as a featureless void emanating light (depicted as flames). Pictorial surveys of Muhammad can be found on the internet.<ref>http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hi/hi_fimu.htm</ref><ref>http://www.superluminal.com/cookbook/index_flat_gallery.html#</ref><ref>http://www.zombietime.com/mohammed_image_archive</ref>

Most contemporary Muslims believe that ordinary
<!--portraits and photos, films and illustrations-->
portrayal of humans in general is permissible. Only some ] and ] interpretations of Sunni Islam condemn pictorial representations of any kind. Pictures of Muhammad are a different case — if they are offensive or ] they are widely be considered ] or ]. Some Muslims consider blasphemy tantamount to ]. It's a widely held opinion among present-day Muslims{{facts}} that any depictions of any of the Islamic prophets are ']' (forbidden), because such images could potentially be worshipped, which can lead to ].

According to the ] "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."<ref>{{news reference|firstname=Magdi|lastname=Abdelhadi|title=Cartoon row highlights deep divisions|date=] ]|org=]|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4678220.stm}}</ref>

== International reactions==
] Markets announces its boycott of all kinds of Danish Products"'']]
{{main|International reactions to the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy}}
What started with the problem of a Danish author trying to find an illustrator for his forthcoming book about Islam has become an international crisis. It has led to death, violence, arrests, international tensions, and a renewed debate about the scope of free speech and the place of Muslims in the West, and the West in Muslim countries.
Many governments, organizations and individuals worldwide have issued statements, to let their stances be known.

== Economic and human costs ==
{{main3|Economic and human costs of the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|Support Denmark Movement|Anti-Denmark Boycott}}

As of ] ], at least 139 people have been killed in the protests.
<ref>
{{citenews|date=]|title=Cartoon Body Count|org=Web|url=http://www.cartoonbodycount.com/}}</ref> Deaths have been mainly in Nigeria, Libya, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

== Opinions ==
{{main|Opinions on the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy}}

== Comparable references ==

Numerous comparisons have been offered in public discussions comparing earlier controversies over propriety of speech and art with the recent controversy surrounding the Jyllands-Posten cartoons. Some examples include:
{{Main|Freedom of speech versus blasphemy}}

*''] (novel, 1988, 2006, <ref>{{citenews|date=]|title=Iran adamant over Rushdie fatwa|org=BBC|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4260599.stm}}</ref> Global)''
*'']<ref>{{cite news|first=Jacob, Libby|last=Goodman|title=When Arab papers vilify Jews – freedom of press is claimed|date=] ]|publisher=]|url=http://www.zoa.org/pressrel2006/20060201a.htm}}</ref>
*''] (book, 2005, Greece)''
*''] (musical, 2005, Britain)''
*''The Last Supper (billboard based on Leonardo da Vinci painting, 2005, Italy, France)''<ref>http://news.spirithit.com/index/culture_art/more/church_in_france_wins_ban_of_last_supper_ad/</ref>
*''] (short film, 2004, Netherlands)''
*''] (installation, 2004, Sweden)''
*''] (tv, 2000s, United States, New Zealand, and Australia)
*''] (exhibition, 2000, Europe)''
*''] (exhibition, 1999, London and New York)
*''] (frieze, 1997, Washington D.C.)
*''] (drawing, 1997, Israel)''
*''] (newspaper, 1994, Bangladesh)''
*''] (photo, 1989, United States)''
*''] (film, 1988, United States and Europe)''
*''] (film, 1979, United States and Europe)''
*''] (film, 1976, United States)''

== See also ==
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== External links ==

=== Official correspondence ===
* {{PDFlink}}
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* Second open letter to the Muslims of Saudi Arabia from Jyllands-Posten
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=== Reconciliation ===
* Muslim groups petition for reconciliation
* Letter for reconciliation in Arabic, Danish and English
* Danish petition for reconciliation
* Another Danish petition for reconciliation

=== Other Sources ===
* An independent website tallying the total casualty count as a result of the controversy (based on verified news sources).
* at ] by Shahab Ahmed, Jocelyne Cesari, Father J. Bryan Hehir, Dr. Joseph S. Nye Jr. (RealPlayer stream)
* at ] applies Social Network Theory

== References ==
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Revision as of 15:19, 11 March 2006

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