First major US newspaper, as far as I know, to show the cartoons of Muhammed that have so riled the Muslim world, is the Philadelphia Inquirer:
The Inquirer on Saturday published the most controversial image, which depicted the Prophet with a turban resembling a lit bomb, and it posted on its Web site an Internet link to the rest of the cartoons.
The Inquirer included a note with its publication of the image which read, in part, "The Inquirer intends no disrespect to the religious beliefs of any of its readers. But when a use of religious imagery that many find offensive becomes a major news story, we believe it is important for readers to be able to judge the content of the image for themselves."
The note compared the image with the earlier publication of a 1987 photograph by Andres Serrano of a crucifix in urine, a work which angered many Christians.
We're running this in order to give people a perspective of what the controversy's about, not to titillate, and we have done that with a whole wide range of images throughout our history," Bennett said.
Most U.S. news outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post and USA Today, have declined to run any of the images so far, instead describing them in words as they cover the outraged reaction by Muslims to the cartoons.
Many broadcast programs and news networks including ABC have shown either full or partially obscured images of the cartoons.
Bravo to the Inquirer and their parent ownership, Knight Ridder Inc., for jumping into the fray with honesty and heads held high. The cowardice (dhimmitude?) of the NY Times, Washington Post, and USA Today is duly noted. The Inquirer certainly displays more clarity and backbone than the U.S. State Department, that's for sure...
I couldn't find the cartoon itself on the website, but here is the article that has the weblink: http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/13788640.htm
al-Reuters link to above story here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060205/ts_nm/religion_cartoons_inquirer_dc
5 comments:
I really was upset about the cartoons. Why make such cartoons when they are infactual and false?
If people really read about the prophet peace be upon him they would realise he was a mercy to mankind.
Moreover, as Muslims we aren't allowed to draw pictures of Prophets, furthermore, we aren't meant to disrespect someone elses religion. We respect all prophets, Moses, Abraham, Jesus, so why not respect our dear Prophet?
“so why not respect our dear Prophet?” Maybe because so many Muslim have done such hideous acts in his name! or Maybe because we want to live under our own laws that respect free speech and not your oppressive Muslim laws or Maybe because Muhammed is a sexist, bigoted, racist, murdering, pedophile.
The problem is we don't have enough cartoons making fun of Muslim's and their Prophet. If it happened every week for a year they would get tired of protesting and just learn to live w/ it.
Brit Hume said it best,
"What is striking about this is what offends these Muslims who are protesting and these imams. Does the slaughter of innocent people in many parts of the world in the name of Allah offend them? Is that a sacrilege worthy of protest? No, not in the least. No, cartoons published five months ago in a -what- for people who live in Gaza and Damascus is an unknown and unheard-of newspaper--that's what's offending them. Not to mention, of course, the kinds of slurs against Christians and against the Jewish faith that are regularly spread abroad in the Arab world by the mass media and by these imams.
This is really a disgrace. And it is a disgrace not least because of the obvious, howling double standard involved here. The really great sins are ignored. And this trivia is protested."
No Offense, Muslim, but one must first show respect in order to gain the respect of others. Torching and looting the embassies of small nations hardly imples respect for other people's cultures and beliefs, while displaying a complete lack of understanding on the values of free speech that the West holds so dear.
Sorry, Muslim, but there is a lot fo work that needs to be done on your side first, before we can get to that place of peace that you seem to be seeking...
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