Posted on 01/30/2006 10:52:57 AM PST by Proud_USA_Republican
BEIRUT, Lebanon – The controversy over Danish caricatures of Prophet Muhammad escalated today as gunmen seized an EU office in Gaza and Muslims appealed for a trade boycott of Danish products. Denmark called for its citizens in the Middle East to exercise vigilance.
Denmark-based Arla Foods, which has been the target of a widespread boycott in the Middle East, reported that two of its employees in Saudi Arabia were beaten by angry customers. Aid groups, meanwhile, pulled workers out of Gaza, citing the threat of hostilities.
The 12 drawings — published in a Danish paper in September and in a Norwegian paper this month — included an image of the prophet wearing a turban shaped as a bomb with a burning fuse. Islamic tradition bars any depiction of the prophet, even respectful ones, out of concern that such images could lead to idolatry.
Danish government officials have expressed regret over the furor but have refused to get involved, citing freedom of expression. The Jyllands-Posten newspaper has refused to apologize for publishing the drawings and has said it did not mean to insult Islam.
Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen briefed European Union colleagues about the matter today. He has repeatedly rejected calls to intervene.
But Arla Food's executive director urged the Danish government to take action.
"Freedom of expression is an internal Danish issue but this has a totally different dimension," Peder Tuborgh said. "This is about Denmark having offended millions of Muslims."
Villy Soevndal, leader of the small opposition Socialist People's Party, said Denmark "cannot be a country where the prime minister goes into hiding while Denmark loses export money, Danish citizens are being threatened and Danish flags burned."
In Gaza, masked gunmen briefly took over an office used by the EU, demanding an apology from Denmark and Norway.
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...
Muslims.
I like that this is happening. The civilized world is seeing more and more what the middle-east is about.
Careful trying to download these "mohammed" threads with lots of graphics.
I have the strongest feeling that the ROP types are mountind DOS (denial of service) attacks on some sites to prevent others from downloading the "forbidden" images.
It may take forever to download all images.
Cave in now, die later, Denmark. Stand strong or else prepare for obliteration.
I've already seen them.
Big whoopiedee frickin doo.
The islamics get offended no matter what we do. Nothing groundbreaking. The fact that christians, jews, and the west exist "offends" muslims.
"The Egyptian parliament's Economic Committee refused to discuss a $72.5 million loan from Denmark to Egypt,"
Oh my eyes are just full of tears over this one.
I suppose they will refuse the free food aid, too?
Does this mean the Paliwhackos aren't going to accept the millions of dollars we insist on donating to them, gratis?
what's it all about? Cultural and religious bigotry/chauvinism non parallel.
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