It is a coincidence, that on the day I finished writing about this topic, I watched the nightly news and that the person who sparked this debate ,the Danish Cartoonist Kurt Westergaard was given a Media prize. This prize was presented to him personally by Angela Merkel at the Sanssouci in Potsdam.
He was awarded the M100 Media prize for "his courage and refusal to be initimidated" .
"It is about whether or not he can publish his cartoons, yes or no," said Merkel. "Whether they are necessary or helpful or tasteful or not doesn't matter. Is he allowed to do it? Yes, he is."
Ja, er darf!
"Europe is a place where a cartoonist can draw cartoons. That is not to contradict that Europe is also a place of freedom of belief and religion. The respect for belief and religion is a highly valued good," she said at the ceremony. (source DW)
"The secret of freedom is courage" Merkel was also quote saying, ( source Spiegel)
I think she stuck her neck out on this one but she often does. The reactions from the Islam world, Media and opposing political parties will be interesting.
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