Satirizing Cartoons Between Condemn and Defending

Different reactions and controversial arguments are still raised till today on the real limits of freedom of expression and the difference between both offending people and constructive criticism through freedom of expression after seventeen European newspapers reprinted on February 13 a caricature satirizing Prophet Mohamed.

German’s interior minister, Wolfgang Schaeuble, called on all European newspapers to follow Denmark’s example and republish the cartoons satirizing Prophet Mohamed in defense of freedom of the press.

Schaeuble gave such statements which aroused different international controversy all around the world in an interview with the Die Zeit weekly on Wednesday Feb. 27th in which he said, “I have respect for the fact that Danish newspapers have now all printed the Muhammad caricatures, on the basis: we will not let ourselves be divided”.

Adding, “In fact, all European newspapers should print these cartoons.”

Meanwhile, Danish Prime Minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, defended the newspapers saying, “It”s important to explain that the media did not publish these drawings to hurt people”s religious feelings, but because in a democratic regime with a free press, it”s normal to be able to illustrate your story.”.

It is noteworthy that publishing such caricatures depicting a man described as Prophet Muhammad with a ticking bomb in his turban has sparked huge protests across the Muslim countries on 2006 when they were first published.

On the other hand, the Vatican joined Al-Azhar in condemning the reprinting of such cartoons in Denmark, adding in a two-day meeting of their joint interfaith committee in Cairo on Tuesday Feb. 26th that both Christian and Muslim sides denounce any insult to any religion.

Officials from both religious bodies in the joint interfaith committee said in their statement, “We call for the respect of faiths, religious holy books and religious symbols.”. They also urged both Muslim and Christian religious leaders, intellectuals and educators to instill such respect in society.

The statement concluded, “Freedom of expression should not become a pretext to insult religions and defaming religious sanctities.”

On the same context, different forms of protests have raged in many countries since the republishing of the cartoons two weeks ago. Demonstrations took to the streets in many countries, and boycotting Danish products was another form used to protest in countries like Sudan and Yemen.

However, Wolfgang Schaeuble”s controversial remarks last Wednesday coincided with boiling anger in some Muslim countries as Sudan where thousands of Sudanese marched through the capital Khartoum on the same day carrying banners and shouting slogans against Denmark.

Sudan has declared a national boycott of Danish products after a presidential degree which called on all Muslims around the world to follow Sudan’s example in boycotting Danish products, companies, and institutions.