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Danish 'Muhammad' cartoonist Westergaard to retire
The man who drew what many Muslims called the most offensive of the 2005 Danish depictions of Muhammad has decided to retire.
Cartoonist Kurt Westergaard said he's calling it quits because he is getting old, according to the Associated Press. "One has to stop at some point," says the Danish artist, who turns 75 next month.
His retirement, he hopes. also might "lower the terror threat" against the Jyllands-Posten newspaper he's worked at for nearly three decades, he told the AP. The last five years have been especially emotional for both him and the newspaper," says Joern Mikkelsen, the paper's chief editor.
Westergaard has been under police protection for more than two years, after a murder plot was revealed. Terrorism charges were filed last year against two American men accused of plotting to kill the cartoonist. In January, a Somali man broke into Westergaard's home; the man has been charged with attempted murder and terrorism.
Westergaard's depiction of a bomb-turbanned Muhammad, which he has said he drew in about 45 minutes, was one of a dozen published by Jyllands-Posten in 2005. Some Muslims consider any depiction of Muhammad to be blasphemous.
By
Michael Cavna
| June 7, 2010; 4:30 PM ET
Categories:
The Political Cartoon
| Tags:
Kurt Westergaard, Muhammad cartoons
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Posted by: cascience | June 7, 2010 5:45 PM | Report abuse
What a coincidence that this article appears on the same day as the announcement of Helen Thomas' retirement. Both of these people have gotten into trouble by speaking out against taboos in our societies. Both criticized those who use their religion to justify terrible acts although in very different ways. That the the comments target both muslims and jews is incredibly relevant to the jewish/palestinian conflict.
Posted by: cascience | June 7, 2010 5:47 PM | Report abuse
Could you say that again I missed it
Posted by: byxnet | June 7, 2010 7:14 PM | Report abuse
What a coincidence that this article appears on the same day as the announcement of Helen Thomas' retirement. Both of these people have gotten into trouble by speaking out against taboos in our societies. Both criticized those who use their religion to justify terrible acts although in very different ways. That the the comments target both muslims and jews is incredibly relevant to the jewish/palestinian conflict.
Posted by: kenk3 | June 7, 2010 7:30 PM | Report abuse
"Could you say that again I missed it."
I wish I had.
we can all say what we wish.
But it is better if we are correct.
And have to say it only one time.
But I also click the buttons here and wait minutes to see if it works or not. Some impatience is understandable, knowing how primitive the software is.
Posted by: GaryEMasters | June 7, 2010 7:31 PM | Report abuse
The comments to this entry are closed.
What a coincidence that this article appears on the same day as the announcement of Helen Thomas' retirement. Both of these people have gotten into trouble by speaking out against taboos in our societies. Both criticized those who use their religion to justify terrible acts although in very different ways. That the the comments target both muslims and jews is incredibly relevant to the jewish/palestinian conflict.