The Cartoon Jihad Continues

Mon, Jan 30, 2006 at 9:35:50 am PST

The Religion of Peace™ is raging today over those Danish cartoons depicting Mohammed: Protests Over Muhammad Cartoon Grow.

BEIRUT, Lebanon - The controversy over Danish caricatures of Prophet Muhammad escalated Monday 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.

Denmark’s prime minister is standing up against the seething. So far.

Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen briefed European Union colleagues about the matter Monday. He has repeatedly rejected calls to intervene.

But some Danes are quite eager to give in to the threats and violence.

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.”