Resurfacing of the Danish Cartoons
By AKHTAR MOHD
Published: February 15th, 2010
- KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN: In July 2009, long-standing frustrations against the presence of foreign troops erupted into demonstration outside of Kandahar University, after the infamous Danish cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed were re-published in an European magazine.
- KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN: The Danish cartoons, which were originally published in 2006, have been republished in 2007, 2008, and 2009 in several European magazines, exacerbating popular resentment toward the international coalition in Afghanistan.
- KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN: While the cartoons were never published in the United States, the students in this demonstration, some carrying signs that say “Death to America” and an effigy of Barack Obama, are taking issue with the U.S. President for not condemning more forcefully the resurfacing of the Danish cartoons, as well as for his military policy in Afghanistan.
- KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN: Meanwhile, Denmark, a troop-contributing member of the NATO coalition, has earned considerable mistrust among Afghans for failing to stop the dispersion of cartoons that offend Islam.