Polls & Research

Swiss Criticize Danish Paper for Cartoons

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in Switzerland believe a Danish newspaper was wrong to publish a series of drawings depicting Muslim prophet Mohammed, according to a poll by Isopublic. 59.8 per cent of respondents believe the Jyllands-Posten was wrong.

On Sept. 30, 2005, Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten accompanied an article on censorship and freedom of the press with 12 cartoons depicting Muslim prophet Mohammed. The two most contentious drawings show Mohammed with a bomb for a turban, and greeting suicide bombers in heaven.

The article noted that Danish writer Kare Bluitgen had faced many difficulties in finding an illustrator for a children's book that featured Mohammed. Islam usually forbids depictions of Mohammed, as a measure to curb idolatry.

Over the past few weeks, several European newspapers and media outlets decided to re-print the cartoons. Public protests have occurred in more than a dozen countries, and the embassies of Denmark and Norway in Syria—as well as the Danish consulate in Lebanon and an Italian consulate in Libya—have been torched by mobs.

The Jyllands-Posten has issued an apology, saying it did not intend to offend Muslims. Culture editor Flemming Rose explained that the public outcry over the drawings happened after "radical imams from Denmark traveled to the Middle East, deliberately lying about these cartoons."

Yesterday, three organizations—including Switzerland's UN Watch—urged the United Nations to reject an attempt to incorporate Islamic religious precepts into the charter of the new UN human rights council. At least 56 nations have asked to include a special reference regarding "actions against religions, prophets and beliefs."

Polling Data

A Danish newspaper printed caricatures, which illustrate the prophet Mohammed. One of these caricatures shows Mohammed with a turban in the form of a bomb. Do you find it right or wrong that a newspaper prints such illustrations?