In Tribute

Flemming Rose is a Danish journalist, author and the cultural editor responsible for the August 2005 publication of cartoons at his newspaper, Jyllands-Posten, lampooning the Prophet Mohammed. In publishing the cartoons, Mr. Rose violated the taboo against criticism of Islam and defied Europe’s unspoken code of silence about Islamic terrorism which he deplored as self-censorship. Mr. Rose and all of the cartoonists received death threats while Muslim displeasure was acted out in diplomatic crises, embassy burnings, riots, killings and mass demonstrations throughout the world. When asked whether he regretted his decision to publish the cartoons, he replied: “That is a hypothetical question. I would say that I do not regret having commissioned those cartoons and I think asking me that question is like asking a rape victim if she regrets wearing a short skirt Friday night at the discotheque.”