Press Releases

Embassy Press Statement

US Embassy Statement on Cartoons Offensive to Muslims

Ankara, February 6, 2006. 

Cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad as a terrorist have generated passionate controversy and debate. It is important to communicate clearly the views of the United States on this critical issue.

Muslims around the world have expressed the fact that they are outraged and that they take great offense at the images that were printed in the Danish newspaper, as well as in other newspapers around the world.

We share the offense that Muslims have taken at these images. The United States views these cartoons as offensive and morally repugnant. Anti-Muslim images are as unacceptable as anti-Semitic images and anti-Christian images.

We also recognize that in a free society, people have the right to express views even when they are offensive and wrong. Those who disagree have the right to condemn such views, but should do so peacefully and without resort to violence.  For us, freedom of expression is at the core of democracy.  That said, there are other aspects to democracy - to promote understanding, to promote respect for minority rights, and to appreciate the diversity and differences that exist among us.