Last but not least: Cartoon controversy reloaded
The latest in the series «Outrage Over Cartoons Depicting Religious Leaders»: Just last week, the Malaysian government was upset over a cartoon of Jesus. Now, Iran has officially lodged a complaint with the Swedish government over the media’s depiction of the Prophet Muhammad as a dog.
The latest in the series "Outrage over caricatures of leading religious figures": Last week, Malaysia's government was annoyed by a caricature of Jesus (see ). Now Iran has officially complained to the Swedish government about the media's depiction of the Prophet Mohammed as a dog. The disputed image by cartoonist Lars Vilk shows Mohammed as a giant dog monument in the middle of a traffic circle. The regional newspaper Nerikes Allehanda used it to illustrate an editorial on freedom of expression. Two planned exhibitions with drawings by Vilks had previously been canceled, citing "security risks". The Swedish Foreign Ministry did not wish to comment on the Iranian protest.
After all, it is possible that Switzerland will once again be one of the losers of the whole story: last year, when Muhammad cartoons published in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten sparked protests from Muslims around the world, Swiss flags were burned in some places because they looked so similar to the Danish ones. Perhaps the wrath of cartoon haters will soon be directed at Switzerland again. Switzerland and Sweden are constantly being confused - albeit more by residents of Iran's arch-enemy, the USA.
After all, it is possible that Switzerland will once again be one of the losers of the whole story: last year, when Muhammad cartoons published in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten sparked protests from Muslims around the world, Swiss flags were burned in some places because they looked so similar to the Danish ones. Perhaps the wrath of cartoon haters will soon be directed at Switzerland again. Switzerland and Sweden are constantly being confused - albeit more by residents of Iran's arch-enemy, the USA.
