Posted on 02/11/2006 11:20:11 PM PST by Pikamax
Area Muslims decry Bok cartoon
Editorial image printed in ABJ disrespectful, demeaning, leaders say
By Delano R. Massey
Beacon Journal staff writer
CUYAHOGA FALLS - Several Northeastern Ohio Muslims and community leaders met Friday to express their concerns about the controversial cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad that have ignited outrage and violence.
At issue are the caricatures published in the European press -- work that many U.S. newspapers decided against publishing. The group also took issue with a cartoon inked by Beacon Journal editorial cartoonist Chip Bok. Bok said he did not draw his cartoon with intentions of offending Muslims and has defended his right to free press.
But Muslims on Friday said Bok's cartoon was disrespectful and demeaning. The level of hurt, they said, was deeper since it was in the local paper.
``It pained me to know that the Beacon Journal printed its own editorial cartoons that sought to challenge the beauty of our community by bringing hate into its pages,'' said Rabbi David Lipper, of Akron's Temple Israel. The Beacon Journal has not published the Danish cartoons.
However, on Feb. 5, the Akron paper published a Bok cartoon depicting a pixilated picture of Muhammad on CNN. A couple in the cartoon said, ``Well, no wonder Muslims are upset. Muhammad looks like he's on acid.'' The editorial cartoon has prompted several letters in response. Also on Friday afternoon, there was a demonstration outside of the newspaper's East Exchange Street building.
At Friday's news conference at the Islamic Society of Akron & Kent in Cuyahoga Falls, the speakers were passionate.
A.R. Abdoulkarim, Amir of the Akron Masjid, applauded newspapers that decided against running the cartoons, but condemned those who did. The Beacon Journal, he said, was in a class of its own.
``They take the prize for being the most ill-intended, irresponsible property group,'' he said. ``Allah curses and condemns them and every Muslim in this community should curse and condemn them.''
Julia A. Shearson, director of Ohio's Council of American-Islamic Relations, said they want the Beacon Journal to apologize for running the ``unethical'' cartoon and want the paper to publish their letters to the editor.
After yesterday's press conference, Bok met with several leaders. The cartoonist said he drew the cartoon to take a shot at CNN for ``distorting a distortion'' and not at the prophet or Muslims. ``I don't draw cartoons just to offend,'' he said.
Still, Muslim leaders said Bok's cartoon was disrespectful because the prophet should not have been depicted in such a way. In fact, they said, there are no pictures or statues of Muhammad because he should not be confused with God.
After the meeting, Bok said he learned a lot about the religion.
``My cartoon wasn't about them. To them it was; to me it wasn't,'' he said. ``They're cartoons. They're irreverent. I feel like that's something I have to defend.''
That pic looks familiar--- MAD TV?
LOL!
I hope Mr. Bok owns a gun.
Ah, they're hurt. sob.
Send a thank you messege to Mr. Bok:
http://blogs.ohio.com/chip_bok/2006/02/fair_and_bland.html#comments
Nice line. ;)
sick. completly sick. Why doesn't the MSM show this!?
They are too P.C. They do not want to show the true face of radical Islam. For more go to Micheal Savage.com.
Nooooo....He looka likea man...Don't you know?
Oooooh, you derty derty dogga.
Ahhh, the good dhimmis are already lining up to pay their dhimmi tax, which is still just at the verbal tribute phase. Liberals never learn.
``They take the prize for being the most ill-intended, irresponsible property group,'' he said. ``Allah curses and condemns them and every Muslim in this community should curse and condemn them.''
Are they lying, or are they simply ignorant?
pizz on the pukes
"There is only so much time that we are going to tolerate this."
Amen my brother, amen to that.
I saw this cartoon, it was silly. Can't remember where I saw it, maybe on pookie's thread.
Oh man, that's nasty. Where did you get that, Muslim gay pron.com? gross
Where did you get that, Muslim gay pron.com?
here at freepers
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