The only thing that I can't seem to discover is whether the cartoons originated in a right-wing Danish newspaper that had shown racism in the past. The source of the cartoons is a little muddled to me, but then again, I've been sick so I'm not sure on the deal.
As far as I know, Jyllands Posten is a well respected newspaper, one of the biggest in Denmark. They commissioned the caricatures and printed them 30. September. The reason is said to be that a guy who had written a children's-book about Islam couldn't get anyone to draw the Prophet Muhammad for the book, because they were afraid.
There were protests in several countries.
On 10.January the tiny Christian-fundamentalist rag "Magazinet" in Norway re-printed the drawings. The editor claims it was because freedom of expression is so important. Nobody with half a brain believes him. He has argued in favor of laws against blasphemy in the past, but that was to protect his religion of course.
The international protest erupted. Other Newspapers printed the drawings. More protests.
A Norwegian pipes up
As far as I know, Jyllands Posten is a well respected newspaper, one of the biggest in Denmark. They commissioned the caricatures and printed them 30. September. The reason is said to be that a guy who had written a children's-book about Islam couldn't get anyone to draw the Prophet Muhammad for the book, because they were afraid.
There were protests in several countries.
On 10.January the tiny Christian-fundamentalist rag "Magazinet" in Norway re-printed the drawings. The editor claims it was because freedom of expression is so important. Nobody with half a brain believes him. He has argued in favor of laws against blasphemy in the past, but that was to protect his religion of course.
The international protest erupted. Other Newspapers printed the drawings. More protests.