Swedish Muslim Group Plans to Sue Newspaper for Prophet Muhammad Drawing

September 4, 2007

Author: Staff Writer

Source: International Herald Tribune

Wire Service: AP

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/04/europe/EU-GEN-Sweden-Prophet-Drawing.php

STOCKHOLM, Sweden: A Swedish Muslim group on Tuesday said it plans to sue a local newspaper for publishing a drawing of the Prophet Muhammad with a dog's body.

The Nerikes Allehanda newspaper in Orebro printed the cartoon made by artist Lars Vilks in an Aug. 19 editorial that criticized Swedish art galleries for not displaying Vilks' art.

Mahmoud Aldebe, chairman of the Swedish Muslim Federation, said the group would sue the newspaper for inciting hatred against ethnic groups.

"It ridicules our religion. This is discriminating and insulting for us," he said. "They want to see just how far they are able to go by pushing the boundaries of press freedom."

Islamic law is interpreted to forbid any depiction of the prophet for fear it could lead to idolatry.