Newspapers across Europe have reprinted cartoons of Prophet Muhammad in a show of support for a Danish publications, whose cartoons have sparked outrage among Muslims.
All in all, seven publications in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain all carried some of the caricatures. France Soir and Germany's Die Welt were among the leading papers to reprint the cartoons, the BBC reported. Late Wednesday France Soir owner, Raymond Lakah, said he had sacked managing editor Jacques Lefranc "as a powerful sign of respect for the intimate beliefs and convictions of every individual". Islamic tradition forbids depictions of the Prophet.
As expected, media watchdogs have defended publication of the images in the name of press freedom. Reporters Without Borders said the reaction in the Arab world "betrays a lack of understanding" of press freedom as "an essential accomplishment of democracy."
The publication in Denmark has provoked diplomatic sanctions by the Muslim world. Thousands of Palestinians protested against Denmark this week. Syria and Saudi Arabia have recalled their envoys to Denmark, while Libya said it was closing its embassy in Copenhagen and Iraq summoned the Danish envoy to condemn the cartoons.
