In September, 2005, the Danish newspaper “Jyllands-Posten” published over twelve caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad which were considered offensive to Muslims all over the world. The newspaper said it printed cartoons as a test whether Muslim fundamentalists had begun affecting freedom of expression in Denmark.
As the newspaper explained, this publication was a contribution to debate regarding the criticism of Islam and self-censorship.

As the controversy grew, examples of the cartoons were reprinted in newspapers in more than fifty other countries, which led to both peaceful and violent protests as well as deadly rioting, particularly in the Muslim world. The controversy had also an effect on the Danish economy, through a decrease in total exports to the Arab Muslim world.

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen described the controversy as Denmark’s worst international crisis since World War Two. Supporters of the cartoons say that they illustrate an important issue in an age of Islamic extremist terrorism and their publication is a legitimate exercise of the right to free speech. They also note that similar cartoons about other religions are frequently printed, arguing that the followers of Islam were not targeted in a discriminatory way. Muslims and critics of the cartoons see that freedom of expression and its extension, freedom of the press, are human rights for all individuals in all societies. However, is it appropriate to exploit civil liberties laws to attack and insult other religions? Respect of all religions and their value systems seems to me to be an essential right which should be guaranteed for all people.

Imam Ali says, “Be kind to people because if they are not your brothers and sisters in religion, they surely are your brothers and sisters in creation.” In a world moving toward hatred and division where ideas like peace, tolerance and friendship among nations seem quite fragile, it is perhaps a good time to reflect on Iman Ali’s simple, but powerful idea for building tolerance and respect among peoples.