Newspapers across Europe Wednesday reprinted the controversial cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed that sparked worldwide protests two years ago.
The cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed provoked widespread outrage in the Muslim world two years ago.
The move came one day after Danish authorities arrested three people allegedly plotting a “terror-related assassination” of Kurt Westergaard, the cartoonist behind the drawing.
Berlingske Tidende, was one of the newspapers involved in the republication by newspapers in Denmark. It said: “We are doing this to document what is at stake in this case, and to unambiguously back and support the freedom of speech that we as a newspaper always will defend,” in comments reported by The Associated Press.
Newspapers in Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands also republished the drawing Wednesday as part of their coverage of Tuesday’s arrests.
The image, by Morgenavisen Jullands-Posten cartoonist Westergaard, was one of 12 cartoons about the Prophet Mohammed originally published in September 2005. Westergaard’s cartoon depicted the prophet wearing a bomb as a turban with a lit fuse.
Violent demonstrations erupted across the world in early 2006 after other newspapers reprinted the images as a matter of free speech. The uproar came as some Muslims believe it is forbidden by the Quran to show an image of the prophet.
Many protesters directed their ire at Denmark, prompting the closure of several Danish embassies in predominantly Muslim countries, including Indonesia and Pakistan. There were also attacks on other diplomatic missions in Iran and Syria among others.
The Danish Foreign Ministry has said it is keeping a watch on the situation at its embassies and has yet to report any incidents.
Muslim leaders in Denmark Wednesday attacked the republication of the cartoon, as well as the alleged murder plot, while calling for calm. Imam Mostafa Chendid, chief of the Islamic Faith Community, told AP his group was discussing whether to hold a demonstration before parliament, adding: “We are so unhappy about the cartoon being reprinted.”
“No blood was ever shed in Denmark because of this, and no blood will be shed. We are trying to calm down people, but let’s see what happens. Let’s open a dialogue.”
The Danish Security and Intelligence Service Tuesday said police arrested a 40-year-old Dane of Moroccan origin and two Tunisians in the Aarhus area of western Denmark following lengthy surveillance.
The Danish citizen is charged with a terrorism offense, the intelligence service said, and the Tunisians will be deported. Police have not yet released the names of the three.
The target of the plot, the intelligence service said, was the cartoonist for the Danish newspaper Morgenavisen Jullands-Posten, which first published the controversial drawings in September 2005. The paper identified the cartoonist as Kurt Westergaard.
“Not wanting to take any undue risks [the intelligence service] has decided to intervene at a very early stage in order to interrupt the planning and the actual assassination,” the statement by Jakob Scharf, the agency’s director general, said. “Thus, this morning’s operation must first and foremost be seen as a preventive measure where the aim has been to stop a crime from being committed.”
Westergaard has previously said that he wanted his cartoon to say that some people exploited the prophet to legitimize terror. However, many in the Muslim world interpreted the drawing as depicting their prophet as a terrorist.
“Of course I fear for my life after the Danish Security and Intelligence Service informed me of the concrete plans of certain people to kill me,” Westergaard said in a statement posted on the newspaper’s Web site. “However, I have turned fear into anger and indignation. It has made me angry that a perfectly normal everyday activity which I used to do by the thousand was abused to set off such madness.”
CNN’s Paula Newton said the arrests reinforced growing fears in Europe that radical Islam was trying to suppress free speech.
“More and more Europeans feel that Islam is a threat to their way of life,” Newton said. A recent Gallup poll for the World Economic Forum showed a majority of Europeans believed relations between the West and the Muslim world were worsening. According to the poll this sentiment was strongest held among Danish.
Westergaard remains under police protection and does not know whether it will continue.
“I could not possibly know for how long I have to live under police protection; I think, however, that the impact of the insane response to my cartoon will last for the rest of my life,” he said. “It is sad indeed, but it has become a fact of my life.”
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Tags: Angry, Cartoons, CNN, Danish Newspaper, Denmark, Islam, Muslims, Prophet Mohammad, protests
16 responses so far ↓
1 jasmine // Feb 14, 2008 at 1:06 am
And then they ask why Muslims are becoming so Outrageous!!!
Jasmine Rafique
http://pkFocus.blogspot.com
2 Maqsood Akhtar // Feb 27, 2008 at 9:48 am
Respected
This e-mail from mine for the advertisement printed in Denmark and other countries against our religion i.e Islam and our Prophet (P.B.U.H). I am really feel ashamed for that doings, their educations and their atmosphere who teachs like this type of conducting.
Tell me what do you know about the Islam, and why you misbehave against any religion, either your religion teaches that type of doings. They told this is the media’s independency, what is the media independency, either media can print against any person, any religion or can play with everyone sentiments, then i ashamed of that media or they translate the media in negative manners.
You know what is Islam, Islam teachs us “That Allah is one, who have no father, who have no son, He is the only one who make this world, sky,animals, birds, human beings, spcace everything within six days. And our Prophet (P.B.U.H) is the messenger of Allah. Allah gives the Holy Quran through our Prophet (P.B.U.H) and our prophet (P.B.U.H) who told us that What is Islam, its rules and regulations, its implementations, political matters, foreign affairs matter, environmental matter, woman protection/rights matters, living standards, clothes standards and everything and every matter in human life. This whole world is only made for Him (Prophet Muhamamd (P.B.U.H) not for us. After the end of life, We all have to go and meet with Allah and He will give us the all details of our doings in our life, if we are doing good, than He gives us a Janat in which every thing will be available and if we doing bad in our life, He gives us tortured life which will not be bearable for us. Our Prophet who is very much honourable for us. Allah gives us the gift in shape of our Prophet, He gives us the right way to understand the Islamic Principles and way of life. That’s why Allah (God) told the muslims that when you hear/taken the name of Prophet then call (Peace Be Upon Him (P.B.U.H) in Arabic (Sallallaho ellahay wassalim). You know the name of P.B.U.H as a “Darood” on our Prophet. And our Allah told us that when you hear/taken the name of Prophet, then send Darood on Him, then he will get 10 virtues from Allah and those person that when He hear/taken the name of Prophet and doesn’t send darood on Him, then Allah send curse for him.
You know our religion is very much simple and very much beneficial for every1. You know in our life their is nothing for live, when you study this religion you will find out the main aim of your life.
We have great and great honour for our Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). You conduct misbehave with this personality which breaks our sentiments. Its very bad and ashamed, I invite you to please first of all study our Holy Quran and the Hadees of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). Then you pass any remarks.
I have also send you an attached file which will give you the message of non believers/muslims against our Prophet (P.B.U.H). I will request you to explore this throughout the world.
If you have any question in any matter, i can give you an answer in detail and can satisfy your self. My e-mail address is as under:-
1. maqsood_leo@yahoo.com
2. maqsood127@hotmail.com
Thanks
Maqsood
3 Umair Aman // Mar 6, 2008 at 9:35 am
Islam is a piece loving religion. Those who are publishing this kinds of cartoons in the name of so called `freedom of speech` are not doing good.I challenge them to read the Quran and take out with context only one saying of Allah whish is against humanity.
4 SALMAN // Mar 7, 2008 at 12:43 pm
THE PERSON DOING THIS ASHAMED WORK MUST HANG TILL DEATH ,THE PERSONS BEHIND THIS ALL ARE B******* OF DENMARK AND THEY ALL GO TO HELL INSHALLAH
5 Shahjee // Mar 7, 2008 at 9:30 pm
coooool it man. I am sure This man is what you say he is but are you not doing exactly what he wants you to do.
This is one crazy guy hahahahahahah. He is maybe ilbred or maybe he does not know that religion is a very serious business here in Pakistan. Why are you so angry. If you believe in Allah than you know that this man will one day turn up in his kingdom on the day of reckoning and asked to explain to Allah- the all knowing and all powerfull- and believe me our Allahs knows how to deal with this better than you and I.
What is the matter with you. Dont you believe in Allah. Mybe he was sent by Allah to test you for has not Allah said in the holy book that anger is the tool of the devil by which he controlls you.
We have to learn a lot and also take back a lot from Europe and being angry will not help.
Denmark like Europe is far more advanced than us socially and economically and there is a lot to learn from that part od the world. This man is trying to stop us from doing it.
6 Maqsood Akhtar // Mar 10, 2008 at 11:14 am
Actually in this matter every muslim is not in a stage to control their emotions regarding stupid done on above subject.
Actually, this is going happen with us because we have left our religion exactly that what our religion said regarding every matter.
You know all the Muslim countries are going fall and fall and the Muslims are killed on a large numbers day by day at that stage we are not standing that why the non-muslims are doing this. Thats why they are move forwarding day by day or they reach our most honourable prophet.
So, my request for every muslim to think about the religion and implement on thier lives that what the religion said than you will see that no body can do it these types of stupid activity.
Actually Mr. Shah jee said that we have to learn alot from Europe, i do not agree with him our religion teaches us more perfectly in economically and socialy issues. Europeon are stupids in these aspect. I’ll told that they are very pooor in social and economic and the Muslims are very ruch i every aspect because they have the large power in the name of Allah and large guidance in the name of our Honourable Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h). Actually you told that they are very good in social aspect and may be you observe that they take care with every human on a very sympathetic grounds, because the Muslims are mix up with their social ethics, when you meet with them as a total Muslim that you observe that how they will treat.
I again reqyest for all Muslim Ummah to just think together and remove the terrorist name they have pasted on Muslim Ummah. Actually Europeons and Americans are terrorist and they are using the Muslims by showing currency and others.
So please at that stage we have to move forward very intelligently and tell to the non muslims that don’t play with the emotions of any religion just to study the religion and then make it comparison that who one is better. If all the human beings will go on this aspect then Inshallah Islam will be the best religion of the world and explore overall the world.
7 Shirull Zaman Khan // Mar 10, 2008 at 12:04 pm
MR. MAQSOOD …..
YOU MIGHT BE RIGHT THAT MOST OF US ARE FAR FROM BEING GOOD PRACTISING MUSLIMS BUT EVEN THEN WE WILL NOT TOLERATE SUCH INSULT TOWARDS THE HOLY PROPHET [PBUH ]…….
AND FOR THAT I THINK THAT THERE ARE NO TWO OPPINIONS ABOUT THIS MATTER ….
THOSE WHO PRINTED THIS WILL HAVE TO APOLOGISE TO THE MUSLIMS OF THE WORLD AND PROMISE NOT TO DO THAT EVER AGAIN …..
WE THE MUSLIM WORLD , DO NOT AND WILL NOT, APPROVE THIS MATTER AS FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
8 Simon johanson // Mar 10, 2008 at 4:45 pm
I would like to tell you people that it was actually I who produced the cartoons but they were used by this other collegue of mine. Now i did not intend the cartoos against any person or religion. They misunderstood and misused my creation. I fully apologise from my inside of heart and beg, beg, beg you for complete forgiveness. I am very frightened of you very brave and very muslim and richest people of the richest country in the world people. I now lie prostrate on floor for you forgiveness so now you please forgive me. Thank you
9 Zaheer Hassan // Mar 16, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Mr. Simom,
Actually this intention is not forgetable because u not only produced the cartoons but also hurt the whole muslim world communities.
If u understood the actual situation then go through the Holy Quran and impliment on you .
We can only prey for you that May Allah Show you the Right path.
10 Tayyab Imtiaz // Mar 18, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Who Which has published such cartoon of Holiest Prophet of Allah (God) may ask for forgiveness form God, otherwise fire of hell is waiting for him.
11 SHIRULL ZAMAN KHAN // Mar 18, 2008 at 1:34 pm
mr. simon johanson , do not seek forgiveness from us ….the injury has been aflicted on the muslims of the world …..
seek forgiveness from the god whose PROPHET you have insulted ……
i will pray for you that god shows you the right path and the wisdom to use your freedom of speech , in such a way that you wont hurt other people’s sentiments …..AMEEN
12 kashan // Mar 23, 2008 at 2:32 pm
may Allah destroy all jews,non muslims
13 ibrahim munir // Mar 24, 2008 at 3:23 am
What is oic doing sleeping?
14 imran javed // Mar 29, 2008 at 10:55 pm
all muslims respect islam
it is a matter of all muslim
to torture than any body disgraces their religon
but unlukily this is not a case for poor west religon is the personal problen for them not a problem of community or whole west society
but one thing is their mutual problem that is their economics
if we want to shut their mouth this is only possible by effecting their economics
we should not use their produvts we should give up their gobs
i request all mislms plz boycott following:
# cadburry chochalate
#2 7 up drinks
#3 hall chewing gums
#5 any product of bar code number strating with57
plz give more information to all mislim about their products]
allah hafiz
15 Maqsood Akhtar // Apr 10, 2008 at 10:03 am
Dears
This incredible talks is given by our Most Honourable Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (s.a.w) 1400 years ago and now we are facing this. And other religions going against them its really ashamed for them with study what are Prophet (s.a.w) said:-
* Camels will no longer be used as a means of transport;
* People will ride on saddles that aren’t saddles (cars?)
* The distance on earth will become short;
* Horses will not be used in wars;
* Muslims will defeat the Byzantines which will end with the conquest of Constantinople Istanbul );
* The Jews will gather again to live in Bilad Canaan;
* Very tall buildings will be built;
* The disappearance of knowledge and the appearance of ignorance, with much killing;
* Adultery will become widespread, and the drinking of wine will become common;
* The number of men will decrease and the number of women will increase until there are 50 women to be looked after by one man.
* Islam will become worn out like clothes are, until no one will know what fasting, prayer, charity and rituals are;
* Allah will send a disease to fornicators that will have no cure (Aids?);
* People will begin to believe in the stars and reject AL QADAR (THE DIVINE DECREE OF DESTINY);
* Men will pass by people’s graves and say: “Would that I were in his place”; (large amount of sucidal deaths?)
* The Euphrates will uncover a mountain of gold for which people will fight over (the river of Alfurat that lies near Syria );
* Two large groups of people will fight one another, and there will be many casualties; they will both be following the same religion World War II?);
* Approximately 30 DAJJALS will appear,
each one claiming to be the messenger of ALLAH;
* Earthquakes will increase; * Time will pass quickly;
* Afflictions will appear;
* Killing will increase;
* Wealth will increase;
* Women will be wearing clothes but not wearing clothes
* THE PROPHET (saw) SAID: “IF MY UMMAH BEARS 15 TRAITS (QUALITIES),
TRIBULATION WILL FOLLOW IT.” (DAY OF JUDGEMENT) SOMEONE ASKED,”WHAT
ARE THEY O MESSENGER OF ALLAH?” HE (saw) SAID:
* When any gain is shared out only among the rich, with no benefit to the poor;
* When a trust becomes a means of making profit;
* When paying ZAKKAT becomes a burden;
* When voices are raised in the mosque;
* When the leader of a people is the worst of them;
* when people treat a man with respect because what he may do;
* When much wine is drunk; red wind or the earth swallow them, or to be transformed
into animals.”
* ‘IMRAN IBN HUSAYN SAID: “THE PROPHET (AS) SAID, ‘SOME PEOPLE OF
THIS UMMAH WILL BE SWALLOWED BY THE EARTH, TRANSFORMED INTO
ANIMALS, AND SOME WILL BE BOMBARDED WITH STONES’. ONE OF THE MUSLIMS
ASKED, WHEN WILL THAT BE O MESSENGER Of ALLAH?’ HE SAID, ‘WHEN SINGERS AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WILL BECOME POPULAR, AND MUCH WINE IS DRUNK.’” THE
GREATER SIGNS OF THE HOUR The Quran will disappear in one night, even from the people’s hearts, and no Ayah will be left on earth.
(Some groups of old people will be left who will say: “We heard of fathers’ saying “LAILLAHA ILLA ALLAH” so we repeat it);
* The appearance of the MAHDI;
* The appearance of the DAJJAL (Anti Christ);
* The appearance of Ya’juj and Ma’juj (biblical Gog and Magog);
* Isa (Jesus) will come during the time of Dajjal;
* The rising of the sun from the west;
* The destruction of the Ka’ba and the recovery of its treasures;
* The smoke. If we could get arrested for being a Muslim, Would The police have enough evidence to bring us in?
Why is it so hard to tell the truth but yet so easy to tell a lie?
Why are we so sleepy in mosque but right when the prayer is over, we suddenly wake up?
Why is it so hard to talk about Allah but yet so easy to talk about nasty stuff?
Why is it so boring to look at a Islamic Article
but yet so easy tolook at a nasty one?
Why is it so easy to delete a Godly e-mail but yet we forward all of the nasty ones?
Why the mosques are’s getting smaller, but yet the dance clubs are getting larger?
Do you give up? Think about it….
Are you going to forward this, or delete it?
Just remember-Allah is watching you.
Prayer Wheel, Let’s see the devil stop this one!
Here’s what the wheel is all about. When you receive this, say a prayer for the person that sent it to you….
There are no costs, but wonderful rewards….
Let’s continue praying for one another.
As we look at this article we realize how true the Messenger (P.B.U.H) was these signs were prophesized 1400 years ago!
16 Kanwal // Apr 24, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Want 2kil those ppl who did ths gustakhi.
Anywaz Allah wil surely do sumthng wid dat ppl who did ths gustakhi wd His Prophet
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