Cartoon on Prophet printed again

Dubai: Three Swedish newspapers yesterday published a cartoon insulting the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

The controversial drawing, which many Muslims describe as provocative, came after the Irish authorities announced yesterday it uncovered a plot to kill the Swedish artist, Lars Vilks, who created the published cartoon.

While many Muslims believe these drawings should not be given importance, others describe the continuous publications as part of a smear campaign against Islam and Muslims, particularly after 9/11 attacks.

"We are against offence, insult or provocation to any and to all religions, including Islam," said Issasm Shanti, Director of media Affairs at the Jeddah-based Organisation of Islamic Countries. "Freedoms of people end with the beginning of others' freedoms," he told Gulf News.

Both Sydsvenska Dagbladet and Expressen newspapers said they printed the drawings as part of its news coverage of the alleged plot, or for its news value and to take a stance for the freedom of speech.

Vilks has faced several death threats since the drawing was first printed by a Swedish newspaper in 2007, a year after separate cartoons of the Prophet (PBUH) in a Danish newspaper sparked furious protests in Muslim nations.