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Many said they thought the newspaper defamed their religion. Its top managers defended the move.
Twelve caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad published last year have had a huge impact around the world, with riots in many Muslim countries causing deaths and destruction -- so what do the drawings actually say?
Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten is a strong proponent of democracy and freedom of religion. The newspaper respects the right of any human being to practise his or her religion. Serious misunderstandings in respect of some drawings of the Prophet Mohammed have led to much anger and, lately, also boycott of Danish goods in Muslim countries.
The depictions of the Prophet as a terrorist were clearly intended to offend. How could they do otherwise? Editor Carsten Juste makes it clear he thinks there was nothing intrinsically wrong with the cartoons; he is apologizing purely because Muslims took offense.
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Cornell is Professor of History and Director of the King Fahd Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies at the University of Arkansas.
