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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.

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