About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline

LOG IN
LOG IN


8 Rutgers J. L. & Religion 1 (2006-2007)

handle is hein.journals/rjlr8 and id is 1 raw text is: RUTGERS JOURNAL OF LAW AND RELIGION VOLUME 8 FALL 2006 YOU DROPPED A BOMB ON ME, DENMARK A LEGAL EXAMINATION OF THE CARTOON CONTROVERSY AND RESPONSE AS IT RELATES TO THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD AND ISLAMIC LAW RACHEL SALOOM* I. INTRODUCTION [1] The publication of twelve cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in late 2005 was only the beginning of a series of events in a cartoon controversy that has taken the lives of many people and injured others. Muslims believe that these cartoons are prohibited under Shari 'a, or Islamic law. These cartoons were protested against, however, not only because of their depiction of the Prophet Muhammad but the manner in which he was depicted. [2] This Article argues that while these cartoons do violate Shari 'a, the violent response in protest only perpetuates negative stereotypes of Muslims and Arabs. Moreover, this Article explains why the cartoons violate Shari 'a. Part II of this Article outlines the cartoon controversy by both examining the content of the cartoons and the timeline of events. Part III examines the response to the publication of the cartoons. Part III discusses both the violent and nonviolent responses to the publication of the cartoons. Part IV of this article provides an in-depth explanation of Shari 'a and the sources of Islamic law, including a discussion of the importance of the Prophet Muhammad to * J.D. University of Georgia School of Law, 2006; M.A., Middle Eastern Studies, University of Chicago, 2003; B.A., Political Science, University of West Georgia, 2000. Ms. Saloom is currently an associate at an Atlanta law firm.