Danish cartoon reprinting sparks outrage again [Archives:2008/1131/Front Page]
SANA'A, Feb. 20 ) The Yemeni parliament formed a committee in its session on Sunday to prepare letters to the Arab parliament, Islamic parliament, The European Union's parliament, the United Nations and the Danish parliament denouncing the reprinting of a Danish cartoons insulting Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in 17 Danish newspapers.
The collection of 12 cartoons, which sparked international rioting, was first published two years ago and reprinted all over the world. The most notorious cartoon in the collection depicts the Prophet Muhammad wearing a turban containing a bomb.
The cartoon was reprinted again in Denmark last week, following the arrest of three men in Denmark who were allegedly plotting to kill the cartoonist.
“One of the strongest opponents to the cartoon story did in fact print the cartoon this time,” said a representative from International Media Support, a Danish company that helps train independent media in developing countries. “The chief editor said that this would be the natural reaction by media to show the readers what caused someone to wanting to kill the cartoonist.”
The parliamentary committee which will be writing the anti-cartoon letters is comprised of Shawqi Al-Qadhi, Aref Al-Sabri, Sultan Al-Barakani, Sultan Al-Atwani and Nabil Al-Basha, all representing the various Yemeni political parties.
MP Mansour Al-Zindani, from Islamic Islah party, declared his resignation from the Yemeni-Danish Friendship Committee and lamented the government's and political parties' silence in the face of blasphemous caricatures. Al- Zindani asked parliament to schedule a public protest march at Al-Sabeen Square against the Danish cartoons, demanding the Ministry of Trade and Industry to stop importation from and exportation to Denmark.
MP Shawqi al-Qadhi, who is member of the Rights and Liberties Committee in parliament, called on Yemenis to temper their reactions to the reprinting the cartoon, unlike the other members of parliaments who call for cutting off friendship with Denmark
Al-Qadhi called to establish a “communication between Muslims and Danish people” reminding Yemenis that Danish parliament support the Palestinian situation. However, he also said that Muslims have the right to be angry, but they should choose the right method to express their views without being emotional, which could lead to more misunderstandings. “I'm the one who called for sending letters to the UN, international parliaments and the Organization of Islam conference in order to make a decisive resolution banning the desecration of religions and prophets,” said Al-Qadhi.
Ahmed Al-Rabhi, head of the Yemeni Teachers Syndicate, also condemned the republishing of the drawing. Al-Rabhi said that even though the reprinting of the cartoon was shown in relation to reports about the plot to kill the cartoonist, it was not an excuse to republish the hurtful cartoon. “They can put these people on trial, but don't republish the drawings,” he said.
The National Committee for Rights and Freedoms (HOOD) added their voice to the chorus of condemnation for the cartoon reprinting, citing that the reprinting incites discrimination and resentment.
HOOD also condemned the plot to kill the cartoonist and stated that the organization is against any violent attack against any human being. “However, reprinting the cartoons will just widen the hate and the gap between Muslims and the West,” said Ahmed Arman, a human rights activist representing HOOD.
The fallout from the cartoon reprinting has caused widespread protests ranging from non-violent, planned marches to spontaneous outbursts of violence. Muslims currently make five percent of the Danish population.
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