Cartoons of Mohammed. Jyllands-Posten
Yale University and Yale University Press consulted two dozen authorities, including diplomats and experts on Islam and counterterrorism, and the recommendation was unanimous: The book,“The Cartoons That Shook the World,” should not include the 12 Danish drawings that originally appeared in September 2005. What’s more, they suggested that the Yale press also refrain from publishing any other illustrations of the prophet that were to be included, specifically, a drawing for a children’s book; an Ottoman print; and a sketch by the 19th-century artist Gustave Doré of Muhammad being tormented in Hell, an episode from Dante’s “Inferno” that has been depicted by Botticelli, Blake, Rodin and Dalí.
Jytte Klausen, the author of the book
The book’s author, Jytte Klausen, a Danish-born professor of politics at Brandeis University, in Waltham, Mass., reluctantly accepted Yale University Press’s decision not to publish the cartoons. But she was disturbed by the withdrawal of the other representations of Muhammad. All of those images are widely available, Ms. Klausen said by telephone, adding that “Muslim friends, leaders and activists thought that the incident was misunderstood, so the cartoons needed to be reprinted so we could have a discussion about it.”
Cross-posted from T&P, where I have added the documentary “Bloody Cartoons” that shows there was no misunderstanding. In fact, the whole issue was used by Wahabbies and other fundamentalists (Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran) and allies (Venezuela, Russia, China or North Korea) to push for the non-binding UN resolution on defamation of religions (already passed) and to ask for a binding UN resolution on the same subject (which has not been passed already but they are trying to). It also shows that Western countries did not really support freedom of speech or their defense of it was very shy. 3 years later, it seems we continue by the same path of fear.
Related posts:
- Yale University publishes press release on the Danish cartoons
- Yale censors cartoons depicting Muhammad, citing fears of violence
- Maldives bans book on freedom of religion
- Book critical of “prophet” Muhammad to be published despite fear of muslim backlash
- Three suspects detained in firebomb attack on British publisher of book about Muhammad
- Serbia: Book withdrawn for being insult to Muslims
- Germany cancels Muhammad look alike contest
- Prophet Muhammad and the Animal Kingdom
- Denmark: Saudi lawyer demands apology over publication of Muhammad cartoons
- Iran launches book mocking Holocaust victims
