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2006-02-10 Home Front: Culture Wars

Debate over cartoon publishing polarised

The furore over cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed is continuing, with more public figures buying in on opposite sides of the debate.

The UN secretary-general, Kofi Annan, says he does not understand why any editor would publish the cartoons at this time.

''It is insensitive, it is offensive, it is provocative, and they should see what has happened around the world,'' he said.

However the Somali-born Dutch MP Ayaan Hirsi Ali is condemning media outlets who have not published the cartoons.

Ms Hirsi Ali is an outspoken critic of Islam's treatment of women who worked with the murdered Dutch film maker, Theo van Gogh.

She says it is the duty of journalists to publish the cartoons.

"Shame on those politicians who stated that publishing and re-publishing the drawings was unnecessary, insensitive, disrespectful and wrong," she said.

"I am of the opinion that Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen of Denmark acted correctly when he refused to meet with representatives of tyrannical regimes who demanded from him that he limit the powers of the press."

While reiterating his support for freedom of speech and freedom of the press, Mr Annan said: ''I am for that, but as I have indicated in the past freedom of speech is not a license. It does entail exercising responsibility and judgment and quite honestly I cannot understand why any editor will publish cartoons at this time which inflames, and pours oil on the fire.''

Mr Annan has previously condemned the violent protests that the cartoons have ignited.

Posted by tipper 2006-02-10 10:38|| || Front Page|| [11130 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 So:I have a question. I read a lot of history and in many western history books of the period from the rise of Mohammad to the Crusades you will find pictures of Mohammad. Usually taken from Muslim terxts.
Should we (the West) now be expected to censor our own history books to appease Muslims?

Posted by Cluper Pholuter4519 2006-02-10 12:27|| 2006-02-10 12:27|| Front Page Top

#2 Have your history books told you of all the times Muslims have used accusations of blasphemy to have their enemies killed, or at least terrorized? Malicious accusations of blasphemy are an Islamic artform, or racket, if you prefer.

Posted by Whutch Threth6418 2006-02-10 12:41|| 2006-02-10 12:41|| Front Page Top

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