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Protests in Indonesia resume after reprint of cartoon
The group also stood outside the Dutch embassy to protest the planned release of a controversial film on the Quran, Islam's holy book, by a right-wing Dutch lawmaker.
- Protests in Indonesia resume after reprint of cartoon
- Published: 12:33 February 20, 2008
Jakarta: Around 200 Muslims rallied outside the Danish embassy in Indonesia on Wednesday to protest the reprinting of a cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad in Danish newspapers.
The group also stood outside the Dutch embassy to protest the planned release of a controversial film on the Quran, Islam's holy book, by a right-wing Dutch lawmaker.
"Behind the mask of free expression they want to insult Islam," protester Shodiq Ramadhan said of the Danish newspapers. "In fact, the publications showed arrogance and disrespect for the beliefs of other people."
The cartoon, reprinted in 17 Danish newspapers last week, shows the Prophet Muhammad wearing a bomb-shaped turban and was one of 12 cartoons that sparked protests in Muslim countries when they were first published in 2006, including Indonesia.
The newspapers said they were reprinting it in a gesture for free speech after three men were arrested in an alleged plot to kill the cartoonist.
Indonesia is home to 190 million Muslims, more than any other country. Most practice a tolerant brand of Islam, though in recent years a long-existing radical fringe has grown louder.
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