Cartoon has Jesus, Muhammad kissing University paper stands by controversial image despite outrage from Muslims students, others Posted: February 20, 2006 5:00 p.m. Eastern A university newspaper in Canada is defending its publishing of a cartoon showing Jesus and Muhammad kissing, saying it's not "an act of hate." The Strand, the student paper of Victoria University, which is part of the University of Toronto, printed the controversial cartoon Wednesday. It shows the two revered religious figures kissing in the "Tunnel of Tolerance," with Jesus removing Muhammad's robe. Nick Ragaz, managing editor for the Strand, wrote an editorial accompanying the image addressing the ongoing rage in the Muslim world over several cartoons depicting Muhammad that were published in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten. Nearly 50 people have died in Muslim nations as a result of riots protesting the cartoons. Despite the Strand's decision to run the kissing image and complaints it has received since then, the publication has refused to run the 12 Muhammad cartoons that were first published in Europe. "Publishing these cartoons seems to do little more than fan the flames of already-existing controversy," opined Aine O'Hare of the Strand. In a online message, Ragaz said the cartoon was intended to provoke debate, dialogue and thought, and should not be understood to promote violence or hate, reported newssite ekkelsia. "The cartoon is a sort of Canadian statement on religious tolerance," said Ragaz. "This is not an act of hate," he said. "It's controversial, yes, but it's no attack." Continued Ragaz: "We will not be pulling the issues from the stands or withdrawing the cartoon from our website. "We hope, and this is our intention in publishing the cartoon, to provoke reasoned considerate debate and dialogue about these issues both on campus and, I guess now, off campus." The president of the university and the student council have supported the paper's decision to stand firm against complaints about the cartoon. "The editorial in this issue of the Strand provokes and invites discussion, not intolerance," Paul Gooch, president of Victoria University, said in a statement Saturday. "The decision to print the cartoon was carefully considered in an effort to advocate tolerance," Brian Clow, president of the Victoria University Students' Association said. But Paul Bretscher, president of the Students' Administrative Council, opposes the paper's decision. "The Strand has abdicated its ethical responsibility in purposely ridiculing both Muslims and Christians on campus," wrote Bretscher, according to the Toronto Star. The Muslim Students' Association also opposes the cartoon, calling it "gravely offensive." "Apart from the same-sex thing, it's the encouragement of portraying the prophet in a demeaning way," said Walied Khogali, 22, a member of the Muslim group.
Now it's time for the controversialists to come out. Those who have a feeling of inadequacy and needing attention, like these folks, will be coming out of the woodwork.
Canada, the US, Latin America, the rest of Europe, Africa, Japan, South Korea, we all need more cartoons like those, let these animals know Denmark is not alone and its 5.5 population should not fear these stupid, ignorant, animals. Dont like freedom of speech? get the fuck out.
hey, how come Muhammad's face isn't depicted? I'm offended right now. And do we get to see more prophets kissing each other? i.e. moses and buddha
What does this cartoon mean? Is it suggesting that different prophets should kiss and make up or is it just showing Jesus coming out of the closet?
many ways to interpret it. narrow-mindeds will use it as an excuse to kill people. others may interpret it as a symbol of two great religions loving each other.
I think its stupid......Radical Muslims behead 13 yr old school girl. Muslim Community stays quiet....No Riots Radical Muslims send suicide bombers into buses in England....Innocent people die. Muslim Community stays quiet...No Riots Radical Muslims Kill over 3000 innocent people on 9-11 Muslim Community STAYS QUIET..... There are many many many more.. Cartoon of the Prophet and Riots all over the world....The Muslim Community proves that they have major major issues. When will the Muslims come out and Riot over the thousands upon thousands of INNOCENT people the Radicals kill year after year ???? PGZ
The Economist did a great piece on the Cartoon Wars. I learned a couple interesting tidbits: #1 - The reason Islam forbids images of prophets is so that the images/idols are not worshiped instead of the prophet themselves. #2 - It's forbidden to create images of all prophets. Jesus and Moses are prophets to Muslims too, but images of them are usually not that big of a deal.
I guess it's better than having a catholic poobah or whatever they call themselves kissing little boys right? So what if J and M have relations... lets be a little more tolerable for imaginary man love.