Muhammed Cartoon Controversy Cont’d
The controversy about the cartoons of the islamic prophet Muhammed has left its mark on Danish society. Today, Denmark's Radio (DR) online news reports that a billboard poster, advertizing a new book about islam has been rejected by BaneDanmark (a government-owned company that maintains and services Danish railroads - including railroad stations). According to the DR news story, BaneDanmark decided - on the basis of company ethical guidelines concerning pornographic, religious and political issues - that the poster was not fit for display at a central Copenhagen railroad station.
It is difficult to view the rejection of the billboard poster as anything but a reflection on, or reation to, the cartoon controversy. Especially when taking into consideration that the book (not) advertised does not appear to be hostile, or especially critical, towards islam and muslims. Judging by reviews of the book in "Information" ("Devotion or Submission?") and "Weekendavisen" ("Cooling introduction to heated subject").
The author of the book, "What is Islam?", Jørgen Bæk Simonsen is an associate professor at the Carsten Niebuhr institute at Copenhagen University. Simonsen was director of the Danish institute in Damascus between October 2001 and September 2005 and is currently on the board of the Danish House in Palestine.
During the Muhammed cartoon controversy, Jørgen Bæk Simonsen has made several appearances on Danish television and is critized for being both an islam apologist and academic dhimmi (more critique).
Is anything Islam turning into tabu in Denmark?
Update:
I think the image below is the poster being rejected1.
- Image from Jyllands-Posten [back]
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