Yale University Press has decided not to include the 12 controversial images in an academic work that is to be published soon. The author Jytte Klausen at Brandeis University (US) "reluctantly accepts". The publisher also rejected the inclusion of a number of other historic images of Muhammed citing fears of violence.
The theme of the Klaussen’s book seems to be that "the cartoon protests were not spontaneous but rather orchestrated demonstrations by extremists in
Denmark and Egypt who were trying to influence elections there and by others hoping to destabilize governments in Pakistan, Lebanon, Libya and Nigeria. The cartoons, she maintained, were a pretext, a way to mobilize dissent in the Muslim world." Se story in the New York Times
If this is true the self imposed censorship does not accommodate sensitivities of ordinary Muslims but certain groups with a political, extremist and violent agenda. Well, its all absurd and appalling, and a reminder of the strength of the political correctness of academic communities in the US, surpassed by none, even the chattering classes of Europe.
It is embarrassing that a scholarly work cannot contain pictures that are of great importance to the debate on Islam and the West, and essential to the historic record of the whole affair. The cowardice is all the more appalling since people under Islamic rule and beyond are persecuted, harassed and murdered on a daily basis in the name of Muhammed's Islam.
After the Iran "elections" the cartoons are as relevant as ever, one should think. Women in Islamic communities are lashed for wearing trousers, driving cars, or deprived of basic and equal opportunities etc. The death culture of the suicide bombers and martyrs is barbaric. Any reform will have to address the cynical misuse of religion in abusing individual and political freedoms.
The cartoons do exactly this. Bring them on!
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