In 2005 12 controversial cartoons portraying the prophet Mohamed were printed in a Danish newspaper. An outrage sparked across the globe by descendants of the prophet. Muslims throughout the world sought apologies and retractions by the newspaper.

Earlier, lawyers representing the descendants of the prophet met with the newspaper demanding that the cartoons be removed from the internet and never reprinted again. While the newspaper agreed to some of their demands, they retained the right to reprint.

And that is what they did in 2008. The Danish paper, in what they call was a use of their freedom of speech, reprinted the controversial cartoons. The newspaper has come out and apologized to any Muslim that finds the cartoons offensive, but insists that the freedom of speech must prevail.

Muslims again rallied around the world at the offense. The Danish government condemned the actions of the newspaper and thought that the choice to reprint was in poor taste. They further stated that this was not the opinion of the Danish government or the Danish citizens in regard to the Muslim prophet.

The decision to reprint the cartoons were made after an attack on Westergaurd. The attack was made by angry Muslims in the area.