In September, a dozen cartoons were published in Denmark critical of Islam, some depicting Muhammad, the prophet and founder of Islam, in an unflattering light. Many Muslims consider it blasphemy to print any image of Muhammad. One cartoon depicts Muhammad with a turban in the shape of a bomb. Another shows him at the gates of heaven, arms raised, saying to male suicide bombers, "Stop, stop, we have run out of virgins." A third has devil's horns emerging from his turban.…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - Free Speech
if all of you people says that talks about free speech ,
WHY DONT ANY NEWSPAPER TALKS ABOUT SIMETISM ??!!
you dont DARE to talk about anything that will make jewish people angry
ok , what about the HULOCOST ?
and then you say ( F*cking FREE SPEECH )
27 - LOL
i never seen a muslim newspaper making fun of other
religion , maybe some "death to israel " or
"death to america " but the newspapers never insult someone else
belief by making some cartoon of their prophet or deity . and miguel dont just write something that
u just heard or read ont the web , u have a brain right? .
28 - Stacey
Everyone is reacting how the media wants them to. By hurling abuse at each other. What everyone needs to do is stop and realise that there are more important things in this world than a silly made up cartoon by an ignortant person. Remember all the war in the world and all the homeless people. DON'T forget all the sick starving and dieing children in the world. Our anger shouldn't be about religion everyone has there own beliefs. We should be angry at the goverments in the world who are doing nothing to stop all the pain, torture and suffering. This is 2006 not 1806. There should not still be people starving in the world.
29 - Adeel
Miguel
The prophet married her because he needed to create a female leader for muslim woman. He also wanted someone to chronical his life.
He consumated the marriage after MENSTRATION, which at that time signified adult-hood.
Many christians and jews at that time defined adulthood the same way.
30 - gazelle
People, the conversation has degenerated once again - leading towards extremism and violence on both sides.
Does anyone have any constructive thoughts, especially those who advocated rioting, burning buildings, etc, or those who suggested cluster bombing, or those who think freedom of expression is the god that knows no bounds - not even when it is clearly leading to hurt and violence.
need to rise above 'blaming the victim' on both sides. why ruin the value of tolerance so thoroughly that coexistence becomes difficult.
what if someone specific is benefiting from this by generating violent public opinion?
[Link]: Extreme Timing: Freedom and extremism in media
31 - tony
i think all this should of never started in the first place the only person to blame is the editer who drew those pics no need to attack anyones religion it just makes a big mess just like this 1 did. oh by the way i live in australia so those people of all religions here we get along real well.but theirs allways 1 idiot that comes and makes a mess
32 - gazelle
cow tse tung wondered:
Western media "promoting Bin Laden's agenda of extremism"?
The power of nightmares documentary [bbc] in 3 parts - it is long but worth watching on the internet! also, cd available on amazon.
BBC link [menu on right]
Part I: Baby It's Cold Outside
Part II: The Phantom Victory
Part III: The Shadows in the Cave
[Link]: or if you prefer WMV format
best
33 - Gordon GoHah Mellencamp Hauptfleisch
"oh by the way i live in australia so those people of all religions here we get along real well."
um, Tony--so those riots in Sydney in December were what, exactly? Some brief little good-natured move-along-nothing-to-see-here flurry of activity?
34 - Joanie
Christians are regularly depicted in MANY ways via editorial cartoons. Some people complain about that, but they sure don't go about rioting in the streets!
The extremes to which some of the Muslim community has gone should be a wake up call to those who are willing to cave in to all their demands. Sorry, but bullying cities and citizens for the opinion of a newspaper or an artist is like napalming an entire neighborhood because one house has cockroaches.
Gordon - Gotta love the new name, man!
35 - mahmoud
about images i don`t have any comments , but is anyone listen before about muslim insult christians or jewish ? i don`t think so about what happened in new york at 11 sep.. all muslims resfus that and there were muslims dead their , and about what happened in spain or in london , all muslims resfus violent and terrors , , but what i`ve now to say is "islam is right and the most pure religion so they attack it "cause they are afraid . yea afraid cause they know they are wrong, they love money joy not prepare themsleves for death.
36 - Kareem
Shame on Denemark.
thats all I can say.
37 - phil
to all terrorists please let us good guys know who you are by leaving a threatening blog message here:_____________________________________ .......
38 - Salah
Let me start by saying, Phil u are [Deleted]
What is Freedom of expresson? is is the right to express your opinion without fear.
The cartoons that were printed are bordering on incitment of hatred, if i was a dumbass i would look at that bomb on the leader of islam and think that all muslims are terrorists and maybe even hate them. Those editors are hiding behind this right to insult muslims.
There is a line that cannot be crosses and they strolled past it.
39 - Salah
They werent even funny
40 - Scott Butki
If I said you had no sense of humor but what I said wasn't actually funny is that really a fair criticism or am I just picking a fight?
If this is about freedom of expression, how about the newspapers print cartoons offensive to other religions?
41 - Naveed
Though I am disgraced by this event, I am also ashamed by the reaction of muslims. Isam is not about killing and kidnapping. When something offensice happens, point it out peacefully. Being extreme does not help anything. We just received a bad reputation from the world.
42 - SilverDesertRain
This nonsense about Muhammad having sex with a 6 yr old girl is a common misconception and a grave lie flying around the net...
First of all having premaritual sex is not allowed in Islam. Secondly you cannot marry a girl till she is old enough to bear children. Thirdly a girl has the right to choose or refuse the proposer...the parent cannot force her decision.
At age 6 the girl was called by her parents and marriage proposal was made my them to Muhammed but no marriage took place. Several years later (when he was old enough to bear children) she was called again and she accepted.
This was a norm at that time all over the world including the Christians and the Jews.
For detailed information about this story...please go to www.islamalways.com
43 - bEEcOOL
Can we all stop and start to fight the alien???
44 - Victor Lana
First of all, thanks for handling this touchy subject with your usual decorum, Eric.
That said, the whole issue boils down to "respect" for others' beliefs and feelings. I am a fervent believer in the freedom of speech, but I would have a problem with any newspaper that allowed a pro-Nazi or pro-KKK cartoon to be published. This goes beyond free speech toward racism and I don't think that does the public any good.
Perhaps it seems hypocritical for me to say I believe in freedom of speech but not for these types of things. Yes, cartoons ridiculing Jesus and Catholics have been in plenty of places, but that doesn't make it right.
While the furor and outrage over these cartoons is understandable, the violence that has followed is not. In fact, by embarking on a course of violence these fanatics are making the cartoonist seem right (even though we know it's only a small number of people).
45 - Eric Olsen
wow, I am very happy to see this kind of response - I agree no one is spotless in this. I think all religions deserve respect for the beliefs of their adhereents, but when that respect is perceived to have been violated perhaps rioting in the streets and threats of violence are not the ideal course of action.
there are some really encouraging signs, though: many clerics have urged calm, Hamas protecting a Christian church in Palestinian territory.
Among the largest issues at play here: Europe is going to have to come to terms with its burgeoning Islamic underclass, and vice versa.
46 - Free World
My friend in Denmark told me they are putting the american flag with the denmark flag on the floor outside of the mosque's so people entering and leaving walk all over it as a sign of disrespect. This is bull shit what if we put there koran on the floor of a public washroom so people can walk all over that, how would they feel. Idiots
47 - park1878
with all the trouble that's already goin on in the world. people can get upset over a few cartoon's and it's always religon that cause's the biggest stink.
it would be without religon maybe then we can get along.
48 - roxyfoxy
"I am so sick of hearing about muslims. Denmark should print some more cartoons so we can get all the radical badass muslims out in the street protesting and then drop a couple hundred bunker busters on them."
And your comments don't call for a bomb up your ass?
The reason you hear about so many Muslim terrorists is because that's all they show on American television. Is Bush not a terrorist? Why is he in Iraq again? Killing innocent children and our young men and women from the armed forces isn't terrorism?
I am married to a muslim and since converted from baptist to Islam. I think its unfortunate about the cartoons and I do think it is very disrespectful, but the burning of buildings and hate crimes against the danish isn't going to change things. This is why the world has so many problems, lack of respect for each other. We all have different views and beliefs. Respect and tolerance for each other is the only thing that can cure all of the hate in the world.
For those that are blaming Muslims, start looking at yourselves. Your comments are no better than the acts of the terrorists, who, might I add, are not Muslim if they are killing innocent people.
49 - Del
Is Islam so worried it cant be criticized or have fun poked at it ?
Other religeons coe with it quite well
Shows how insecure these people are
I dont mind any religeon, but DONT shove it down my throat
50 - Del
Now come on, how can these terrorists really beleive that they are going to get 21 virgins when they are dead (has anyone comeback and told them it will happen ?)
can anyone show a religeon that hasnt f**ked up somewhere in the past ?
Living is the only practical way of keeping meat fresh, when you are dead thats it, end of story
If I remember correctly, the bible and the
(Q)Koran were both written years after the actual event, if so, anyone who has played 'chinese whispers' will know that they are both a load of bollocks
51 - roxyfoxy
"Is Islam so worried it cant be criticized or have fun poked at it ?"
Muslims take their religion very seriously. They live for God and the Prophet. Depictions of the Prophet are not allowed in Islam and the way he was depicted was intolerable.
Poking fun at any religion is not right. Everyone has their own views, like I said before, poking fun and disrespecting a religion is not acceptable. I am not just speaking about the recent cartoons, which were cruel. Do you think its funny to put a bomb on the head of Jesus Christ?
If people had a little bit more respect for each other and accepted difference, most of the problems going on in this world would be non existent.
52 - Eric Olsen
I believe the cartoons were pointed at specific behaviors contained within the greater religion rather than the religion itself - why is this "intolerable"?
53 - Inas
If Mohammad is that good? Why do they have to use violence to confront the cartoon images? Doesn't Qur'an include a verse that might be more forceful than terrorism? We can bear intellectual arguements but not them going around like crazy destroying cars and burning buildings. This is not Islam and these are not muslims. I know quite well this religion and I know that it has much more valuable principles than most of the muslims do exhibit.
54 - MASR
Whenever you hear a muslim talking for Isalm, they use the word "bomb" or "kill" somewhere in their passage. GIVEN ALL THIS, WHY CANT ALL THE MUSLIMS GO BACK TO THIER OWN ORIGINIS AND FOLLOW ISLAM THE WAY THEY WANT TO? IF you are in Europe or US, Expect all this. thats the bottomline. Dont bullshit sitting in other countries and bullshitting that own country. go back to pakistan or arabia and have fun there.
55 - Bliffle
"Poking fun at any religion is not right. Everyone has their own views, like I said before, poking fun and disrespecting a religion is not acceptable."
On the contrary. Most religions have such a sanctimonious attitude that they NEED to have fun poked at them. Just like anybody or any institution that gets too self-important.
56 - Eric Olsen
I think suggesting they asimilate makes more sense than telling them to "go home."
57 - Yosser Hughes
A number of Arab newspapers re-printed a series of cartoons yesterday which has angered moderate black's world wide. The cartoons depict various black leaders and sportsmen in various derogatory situations, calling each one nigger.
One cartoon showed OJ Simpson slashing a woman's throat with the caption "Just doing what niggers do". Another of Martin Luther King getting oral sex, captioned, "The nigger Rev gets a hummer". In all, 12 cartoons were printed each containing the word nigger with typical caricatures of blacks with thick lips, huge nostrils and generally apelike.
These and other cartoons angered World leaders calling them insensitive and inflammatory to blacks everywhere. Reactions from Arab newspapers were muted, stating, "We are just taking advantage of our secular press. If blacks don't like it they don't have to buy our papers."
Reactions from blacks were predictable, thousands rioted in Detroit, burning Mosques and looting Arab shops declaring 'no justice, no peace'. In downtown LA, Jesse Jackson called for a boycott of all things Arab until the newspapers in question apologized.
Asked how this compared to the depiction of the Prophet in the Danish newspapers, a Whitehouse spokesman said: "Look, when we offend Arabs its freedom of speech, when they offend us we bomb the crap out of them"
58 - Eric Olsen
interesting analogy, but in reality such a thing would simply confirm what the rest of the world already thinks about the Arab press, and as such there would be complaints but no one would really give a shit.
59 - Scott Butki
I wrote up my take on this issue, from a media perspective.
I'd be curious to read your response.
60 - serpent
Religion has a way of getting people all excited, even in this forum I see people having a hard time keeping the tone civil. It is regretable, for it is at the core of problem. Freedom of speach is a pillar of western civilization and can not be open to discussion (pun intented ;-)
My personal feeling is that since all groupings on this earth have different beliefs about what is acceptable we would limit free expression too much if we were to adhere by all the rules of all these people. Since all people are created equal we can not follow the rules of some (just because they are very loud) and not others. Thus freedom of speech must be absolute.
Should jyllandsposten have posted the cartoons?
The question is irelevant, since they have the right to do so.
Does muslims have the right to be offended?
Yes, they do. But they should engage in dialog not burn down embassies and shout murder in the streets.
Dont they just prove the point made in the cartoon depicting muhammed with a bomb?!
Greetings from denmark
61 - hounddog
Please all muslims in a non muslim country go and live in a muslim country and leave the rest of the world in peace. I'm sure that if the rest of the world gives all of you arms, you will kill each other and free us all from a cancer. On the other hand maybe nature will kill us all and then the world will finally be a better place for the animals to live and thrive, oh I forgot the benefit to the plantlive. Or God, Budda, Allah or whoever you believe in will send a giant comet and poof we don't need an atom bomb anymore ( not even iran).
62 - anon
You know from what i hear 9/11 was a setup by bush administrative. here is the link.
I think Bush hates islam thats why he goes after islamic countries that can't defend themselves. why doesn't he bomb saudi, oh wait becuz he can't take on them cuz he's afraid they'll kick his ass.
63 - Dave Nalle
Is this what you hear from the voices in your head?
Dave
64 - Bliffle
" I think Bush hates islam thats why he goes after islamic countries that can't defend themselves. "
Not true. Bush invaded Iraq and freed 25million muslims from the sectarian rule of Saddam. If it had been my choice I would have left them oppressed under Saddam.
65 - larry
this person must hear voices in the head. Pres bush hates muslims,absurd!the idea that we leave Saudia Arabia alone because we fear their military, is also absurd. the U.S is without doubt the most powerful nation in the world.if you dont think so invade us
66 - Crasher
Basically..... who really cares. Get over it and move on. A cartoon won't destroy islam. Stop being so thin skinned!
67 - Dave Nalle
I've linked to the actual cartoons in my post on this subject. Go take a look at them. The one with Mohammed with a bomb in his turban is hardly funny, but it's also not terribly offensive, and the other one is actually quite funny and certainly not offensive in any way. It depicts Mohammed in heaven and not doing anything that could be construed as disrespectful. The fact is that just depicting Mohammed is seen as offensive by these extremists.
Dave
68 - gazelle
Passion For Freedom, Or Freedom Of Passion?
Mohammed's sublime passion stands in sharp contrast to the base passions on display
69 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
EO wrote (a while back):
I think suggesting they asimilate makes more sense than telling them to "go home."
I repectfully disagree. The European nations are not built up as lands of opportunity as are America, Canada and Australia. There is no statue in Paris saying "Bienvenue Immigrantes" (pardon my French) as there is in New York Harbor.
If the Europeans are experiencing a labor shortage, they should hop in bed and produce more laborers the traditional way instead of importing labor and depressing wages. If they don't want to, then they are paying the well deserved price for their craven short-sightedness.
Many Moslems have no intent of assimilating, and many Europeans do not want them to. Those who do want to in Europe face barriers far higher than those in America. So, what you suggest is a multi-generational solution that many Europeans and immigrants do not want.
In the final analysis, it is better for many (albeit not all) of the Moslems to "go home," bringing with them the knowledge of how to run a society. This knowledge will be a subversive influence undermining the repressive regimes presently in power who benefit from keeping poverty and class differences.
With time, it could allow Islam to experience a sort of a reformation that would change Arab countries into dynamos of leadership.
70 - LOL
hahaha mayb the papers published the cartoons as a free speech test ..mayb the protesters act violently
because they wanna test the european tolerance against violent mob??? LOL
/end stupid joke
71 - mrwan
look m not attacking anyone here and i dont intend 2 do so. but 1st of all f any 1 looks carefully @ the islam he will find that its a peacefull religion ppl dont u c the islamic hi is "peace be upon you"how could such a religion b violent 2nd of all i want 2 reply 2 mr free world when some 1 puts some flag on ground its ok i dont mind put mine on ground walk on it by ur shoes its ur opinion i dont care but dont compare it 2 the holy quran its like comparing the flag 2 the bible "comaprison cant b done "3rd of all mr.del you said that the only way 2 keep meat fresh is 2 keep it alive and death is the end of story hmmm then tell me who created you the first time its god right so he is able 2 bring you back "logic" isnt it like i made a robot its broken oh i can fix it bring it back 2 work "m the one who made it"so wat m saying here is that god created us n the 1st place so he can bring us back again . according 2 wat muslims do all over the world its a shame but u tell me "can any newspaper talk abt anythin' concernin' jwesh ""no, it cant "& f they did the newspaper may apologize immediately or even may b closed ""all we sick as muslims is apologize ""just apologize is it that hard "
72 - Nidhogg
This is why I move that all organized religion is bad.
Yes, the comics were funny. But there is some irony to the situation: The comics portray what we see on the media, the ultra-violent portion of the islamic religion. And as all things of this nature, the muslims played into the hands of the Danes by erupting in such fervor, thereby propogating these caricatures. I had a muslim student in my class that was quite out-spoken on the subject and proposed writing correspondence to the Danish papers over this 'atrocity.' I thanked her for the idea, but declined. This is covered by free speech, although many people don't like it. They, like many, prefer to hide behind free speech when it is in their favour, but cast it down when an 'offensive'work comes there way. But they have find their way to deal with it, and, certainly, violence is not the answer.
If you want something to compare these caricatures to, try contrasting them against the slieu, if not hoards, of anti-catholic comics that came out just as all the allegations of sodomy in the church came out. Where was our outrage? Did we, in our not-so-obvious furor, go cavorting about setting fire to catholic cathedrals? Did we recall our cardinals?
The peaceful muslim communities need to realize that the non-muslim societies are being fed perverted images of their religion, solely-based on the 'terrorist' attitude of the fanatics. But the problem doesn't lie with that population, it lies with our own media: They have to compete for ratings, and higher ratings means more money. So what do they do to get higher ratings? Publish bloodier, gorier stories that slake mankind's natural bloodlust. (If you doubt me, why did the gladiatorial games of the Roman era draw so many people in? I'll stand corrected if someone can give me a valid, credible, and legitimate reason) The media requires a somewhat sensational pizzazz to give them a boost with viewers.
But not all media sources are bad. You just have to know which ones to believe and which ones to take cum grano salis.
73 - metal head
This is just craziness. Sure some mosks or whatever the hell they call their "church" is give some face time to the outside world about being anit terorists. That is kind of like the nazis saying that hey you know you realy shouldnt kill jews. The islamist faccists have learned how to play the p.c. game. They say what the media wants to hear while planning to kill us behind our backs. By the way there is a reason they call them Islamic faccists they have more in common with the nazis than they will ever admit. I dont understand how somepeople in this country cant see that we are at war! These people are the enemy and should be treated as such. Now I understand why the internment camps were set up during ww2. We should reinstitute them and intern all [edited] that are here in the U.S. This is a war of freedom vs. religious intolarance and the intolerance isnt from the "religious right". They dont like us they want to kill us so we should kill them before they have the chance this will only be over when the survivors in the middle east are glowing in the dark.
74 - Aaman
The level of personal attacks that get tolerated on these threads is stunning
75 - Nidhogg
No offence, but there's really no way to police threads without having to go through and read every comment which takes an infinite amount of time considering the time it takes to read it vs. the amount of comments posted