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The Danish Islamic scholar who brought cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad to the attention of Muslim leaders around the world says he was only trying to boost his campaign to get an apology from the Danish newspaper that first published them."I guess we took the illustrations to influential people so they could help," Ahmed Akkari told CBC News on Wednesday. "Is it so tough giving an apology?"
The 31-year-old took the illustrations with him during a December trip to the Middle East. The cartoons – one showing the Prophet wearing a bomb-shaped turban – were originally published in Jyllands-Posten in September and later republished in various European newspapers. Muslim tradition forbids any depiction of Muhammad, even if it's complimentary, out of concern it could lead to idolatry.The cartoons have sparked violent protests in several Muslim countries, including Afghanistan, where at least eight protesters have died. In an interview with the Globe and Mail, Akkari said he did not mean for his mission to lead to such violence. He said while he is still angered that the media would print images offensive to Islam, he would like to find a way to end the current crisis.
During his visits with Muslim leaders, Akkari also showed images that had not been published in any newspaper, but were part of hate mail sent to his colleagues. Those drawings show the Prophet as "a pig, a dog, a woman and a child-sodomizing madman," says the Globe. He said the images were not meant to be mistaken for cartoons published in newspapers, but protesters have cited the drawings during their rallies.
When asked by CBC News why he included these images when they had nothing to do with the published newspaper cartoons, Akkari defended his actions. "It was taken out of context and somebody is trying ... to give us the guilt for what is happening."
The Danish Islamic scholar who brought cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad to the attention of Muslim leaders around the world says he was only trying to boost his campaign to get an apology from the Danish newspaper that first published them."I guess we took the illustrations to influential people so they could help," Ahmed Akkari told CBC News on Wednesday. "Is it so tough giving an apology?"
The 31-year-old took the illustrations with him during a December trip to the Middle East. The cartoons – one showing the Prophet wearing a bomb-shaped turban – were originally published in Jyllands-Posten in September and later republished in various European newspapers. Muslim tradition forbids any depiction of Muhammad, even if it's complimentary, out of concern it could lead to idolatry.The cartoons have sparked violent protests in several Muslim countries, including Afghanistan, where at least eight protesters have died. In an interview with the Globe and Mail, Akkari said he did not mean for his mission to lead to such violence. He said while he is still angered that the media would print images offensive to Islam, he would like to find a way to end the current crisis.
During his visits with Muslim leaders, Akkari also showed images that had not been published in any newspaper, but were part of hate mail sent to his colleagues. Those drawings show the Prophet as "a pig, a dog, a woman and a child-sodomizing madman," says the Globe. He said the images were not meant to be mistaken for cartoons published in newspapers, but protesters have cited the drawings during their rallies.
When asked by CBC News why he included these images when they had nothing to do with the published newspaper cartoons, Akkari defended his actions. "It was taken out of context and somebody is trying ... to give us the guilt for what is happening."
