An update on this ancient thread . . . . .
Saudi Arabia recalls its ambassador to Denmark. Protests in the Muslim world.
A French newspaper stirs the pot by publishing the offending caricatures in the name of freedom of expression.
“Because no religious dogma can impose its view on a democratic and secular society, France Soir publishes the incriminated cartoons,” the paper said.
Under a headline “Yes, we have the right to caricature God,” the paper ran a front page cartoon with Buddha, the Christian and Jewish Gods and the Prophet Mohammed sitting on a cloud above Earth, with the Christian God saying: “Don’t complain Mohammed, we’ve all been caricatured here.”
France Soir, which is in financial difficulties and looking for a buyer, devoted two inside pages to the Danish cartoons, with editor Serge Faubert unapologetic.
“Enough lessons from these reactionary bigots! There is nothing in these incriminated cartoons that intends to be racist or denigrate any community as such,” he wrote in a commentary.
“Some are funny, others less so. That’s it. That is why we have decided to publish them.”
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11097877/
UPDATE - Seven newspapers in France, Germany, The Netherlands, Italy and Spain reprint the caricatures.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4670370.stm
Cowperson