After a settlement to the Saudis, Middle Eastern and Australian Muslim groups, Politiken took a swipe at freedom in favour of sharia. “We apologize to anyone who was offended by our decision to reprint the cartoon drawing”. Although the paper stands by it’s decision to print what it wants, they are sorry for any hurt feelings. Islamist groups are thrilled and predictably the Oh I See welcomes the apology.
We should understand that pictures of Muhammed complimentary or not, were and still are, quite common and have not been met with very much if any incident, outside of the Jyllands-Posten episode. We also have to understand that within Islamic theology, the Quran can abrogate itself to suit it’s selected political purpose of the day. For a thorough understanding of such abrogation in Islam see here (second video) and here. Think of it as an ‘in the heat of the moment’ or the ‘here and now’ doctrine, Muslim scripture in the ‘fast lane’. What better way to charge ahead against the ‘enemies of Islam’ than to conveniently abrogate the Quran to suit the present, chosen circumstance? Foolproof, I’d say.
” None of Our revelations do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, but We substitute something better or similar: Sura 2. The Cow-Verse 106.
The picture above is an illustration of Muhammed. Greek, 19th century. It is currently housed in the Benaki Museum in Athens. What would the Imams say? Or what of this one below, used as an illustration advertising soup stock powder? Would it be permitted as long as the soup were made without pork?
1928 German advertisement for bouillon extract shows Gabriel guiding Mohammed up to Allah.
There are thousands of depictions of Muhammed old and new, created by artists around the world including ones created in Muslim nations. The claim that he cannot be depicted in picture form is clearly false.
From The Telegraph U.K.
Danish newspaper apologises over Prophet Mohammed cartoon
A Danish newspaper on Friday became the first in the country to apologise for offending Muslims by printing a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed with a bomb-shaped turban, rekindling a heated debate about free speech.
Published: 5:38PM GMT 26 Feb 2010
Politiken said its apology was part of a settlement with a Saudi lawyer representing eight Muslim groups in the Middle East and Australia.
The daily drew strong criticism from Danish media, which previously had stood united in rejecting calls to apologise for 12 cartoons that sparked fierce protests in the Muslim world four years ago.
Lars Loekke Rasmussen, the prime minister, expressed surprise at Politiken’s move, saying he was worried that Danish media no longer were “standing shoulder to shoulder” on the issue.
Politiken said it did not mean to offend Muslims in Denmark or elsewhere when it reprinted one of the most controversial cartoons, showing the Prophet wearing a turban shaped like a bomb with a lit fuse. Islamic law generally opposes any depiction of the Prophet, even favourable, for fear it could lead to idolatry.
Politiken was among several Danish newspapers that reprinted the cartoon in 2008 after police uncovered an alleged plot to kill its creator, Danish cartoonist Kurt Westergaard.
In a statement, Politiken said it “recognises and deplores” that Muslims were offended by the caricature.
“We apologise to anyone who was offended by our decision to reprint the cartoon drawing,” it said.
Toeger Seidenfaden, the paper’s editor, told The Associated Press that the paper was apologising for the offence caused by the cartoon – not the decision to reprint it.
“We have the right to print Kurt Westergaard’s drawings, we have the right to print the original 12 drawings, we have the right to print all the caricatures in the world,” he said. “We apologise for the offence which the reprint has caused. That is what we apologise for.”
Mr Seidenfaden said Politiken considered the statement a “unique chance” to foster a dialogue on the issue and reduce tensions between Denmark and the Muslim world.
But critics blasted the decision.
“Politiken’s pathetic prostrating before a Saudi lawyer takes the first prize in stupidity,” said Joern Mikkelsen, editor in chief of Jyllands-Posten, which first printed the 12 cartoons.
Mr Westergaard, who earlier this year had to lock himself inside a safe room when an axe-wielding attacker broke into his home, said he believed the apology was prompted by fear.
“I fear this is a setback for the freedom of speech,” Mr Westergaard told AP.
But the apology was welcomed by Muslim leaders in Denmark.
“It is beyond any doubt that they have offended some people. It is a nice and human gesture that the newspaper apologises,” said Abdul Wahid Petersen, a moderate imam.
The drawings brought Denmark on a collision course with the Muslim world, with fiery attacks in 2006 against Danish embassies and Muslim leaders demanding an apology from the Danish government, which said it couldn’t interfere with Denmark’s independent media.
It also put Denmark in the cross-hairs of extremists. Police say they have foiled at least three planned attacks targeting Westergaard or Jyllands-Posten.
The Saudi lawyer representing the Muslim groups, Faisal Yamani, has been demanding apologies from 11 Danish newspapers that reprinted the cartoon. Politiken is the only one so far to have reached a settlement.
“Both parties express their satisfaction with this amicable understanding and settlement, and express the hope that it may in some degree contribute to defusing the present tense situation,” Mr Yamani and Mr Seidenfaden said in a joint news release.
The newspaper gives a splendid example of how Europe will step by step bow for the islam.
This paper makes me feel sick. Whoever made this decision, to me they are collaborators of our culture and our freedom and I really hope that one day they will be punished for what they do to us, to our (and their) children and grandchildren.
May God open their eyes and may He make them feel bad about their abominable behaviour!