Prophet+Mohammad+Cartoons

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=Muhammad Cartoons=

The Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published twelve blasphemous cartoons, Islamophobic even. Not too long after, it was published in fifty other countries. This caused peaceful as well as violent protests. Many Islamic countries were face with brutal rioting.

Backlash
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 * Death threats for cartoonists responsible
 * Total Deaths: **139**
 * Total Injured: 823 (Cartoon Body Count)

Censorship in Canada
In following the [|timeline of the Muhammad Cartoons], we can see that freedom of speech is indeed a double edged sword. The main argument for the republication of the cartoons was freedom of expression but in practicing this freedom, we infringe on other's rights of freedom of conscience and religion. People have opposing views on this matter. There are severe ethical complications involved since the material may be considered offensive as it directly attacks or mocks a group's religious beliefs. Some Islamic groups believe is that any publication of negative stereotypes of minorities will only perpetuate fear and anger towards minorities. Eleven days after the cartoons were first published in Canada, the prime minister stated that he “regrets the publications” of the Muhammad cartoons in Canadian media outlets. I believe that in republishing the cartoons, we have disregarded Canada’s reputation and values of tolerance, equality, and respect. When censorship occurs for moral reasons, there is often a larger moral struggle taking place that is larger than just the particular instance of censorship. The larger struggle is a conflict between groups with opposing values, interests, and identities (Baumann 2006).

DR. Mohamed I. Elmasry, national president of the Canadian Islamic Congress, posted this statement in response to the edits:

"We live today in one world, a global village continually connected via instant communication. Our world economy is an interdependent entity, where a ripple on one continent can cause a tidal wave on another. Consequently, the selfish and irresponsible publication of hate literature, even if some consider it "funny," damages the world we live in. We need to stop, think, and care -- after all, it's the only world we've got." (canadianislamiccongress.com).