Several controversies have arisen around the world related to the artistic depiction of the Mohammed. Most notably, you will remember the Dutch cartoon scandal and the recent death threats against American cartoonists regarding a South Park episode depicting several religious figures. (This particular episode, made fun of the anger incited in Islamic extremists cleverly hiding Mohammed behind a bear costume as shown above.)
Recently, sparked by a facebook group asking everyone to draw Mohammed, Zapiro, a South African cartoonist, produced a cartoon depicting, "the prophet reclining on a psychiatrist's couch with a thought bubble stating: 'Other prophets have followers with a sense of humor.'" I thought the best quote of the article is from the editor of the Mail & Guardian who said, "My view is no cartoon is as insulting to Islam as the assumption Muslims will react with violence."
This is a bold attempt by a South African artist (and as pointed out in the article the timing near to the country hosting the world cup) to confront those fews extremists around the world set to censor such depictions of Mohammed. We must pay attention to trends in terrorism relating to intimidation and censorship around the world and in Africa in order to determine the best path towards dialogue to resolve these debates in a peaceful manner.
(Quotes from AlJazeera article entitled, Anger over S. African Prophet Cartoon, May 21, 2010, link provided above)
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