[Mb-civic] CBC News - ISLAMIC SCHOLAR WHO DISSEMINATED CARTOONS OF PROPHET SPEAKS OUT

[CBC News Online]

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ISLAMIC SCHOLAR WHO DISSEMINATED CARTOONS OF PROPHET SPEAKS OUT
WebPosted Wed Feb  8 10:30:09 2006

---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.

 FROM FEB. 8, 2006: Afghan clerics appeal for end to protests

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."

Copyright (C) 2006 CBC. All rights reserved.