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“Draw Mohammed Day” Cartoonist Changes Name, Goes Into Hiding After Fatwa

by Jon Bershad | 5:20 pm, September 15th, 2010

» 53 comments

In a disturbing and matter-of-fact article, Seattle Weekly’s editor in chief Mark D. Fefer explained to readers that there would not be a cartoon by Molly Norris in that week’s paper, nor would there be one in any future issues. No, she wasn’t fired. Norris has followed advice from the FBI, left town, and changed her name after a fatwa was placed on her by Islamic extremists following her cartoon promoting the made up “Draw Mohammed Day.”

From the Seattle Weekly:

“The gifted artist is alive and well, thankfully. But on the insistence of top security specialists at the FBI, she is, as they put it, “going ghost”: moving, changing her name, and essentially wiping away her identity. She will no longer be publishing cartoons in our paper or in City Arts magazine, where she has been a regular contributor. She is, in effect, being put into a witness-protection program—except, as she notes, without the government picking up the tab. It’s all because of the appalling fatwa issued against her this summer, following her infamous ‘Everybody Draw Mohammed Day’ cartoon.

Norris views the situation with her customary sense of the world’s complexity, and absurdity. When FBI agents, on a recent visit, instructed her to always keep watch for anyone following her, she responded, ‘Well, at least it’ll keep me from being so self-involved!’ It was, she says, the first time the agents managed a smile. She likens the situation to cancer—it might basically be nothing, it might be urgent and serious, it might go away and never return, or it might pop up again when she least expects it.”

Norris had created the cartoon in response to the threats and censorship following a South Park episode that toyed with the idea of depicting Mohammed and the furor it would create. The cartoon quickly caught fire and numerous Facebook groups sprouted up in support of the holiday. That controversy can be seen as the beginning to the Summer of Islamic Tension, a series of discussions that have devolved from legitimate concerns with aspects of a religion into book-burning loonies gobbling up publicity and bickering over how many street blocks constitutes a “sensitive” amount.

While some people have taken things altogether too far this summer, this story about Norris reminds us that the dangers of extremism and terrorism are still all too real. The South Park situation ended comparatively well, but a woman who was just doing her job as a satirist has been forced to start her life anew because there are people in this world who are willing to kill over their beliefs.

Molly Norris, Muhammad cartoon, Muhammed, Seattle Weekly, South Park

MichelleF

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t remember any death threats from Christians who were outraged at the South Park mocking of Jesus Christ that actually DID air. I pray for her safety.
murf

The religion of Peace .

Where are all those ” Moderate Muslims ” speaking out for her ?
SpineCrusher

MichelleF said:
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t remember any death threats from Christians who were outraged at the South Park mocking of Jesus Christ that actually DID air. I pray for her safety.

How about Christians who were outraged at abortion clinics?

hmmmm…pointing your finger at one religion while you have 3 fingers pointed back at yourself.
Corvax

These are the cheap tactics the people of this faith with repeat over and over again. Strike fear into people by threatening to kill them over a silly cartoon. In a perfect world we would be able to drop fliers of Muhammad drawings over all of the radical Muslims celebrating Ramadan at mecca, and then a nice mushroom cloud.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Drawing-Muhammad/100001107222187 Drawing Muhammad

This makes me sad and of course you would expect this from a religion that says that you don’t have the freedom or the right to say something against a religion. Well, she really wasn’t saying anything against religion but only to get on their nerves. And she’s a woman to boot. Yeah, Muslims would get made. But guess what….I beat CAIR isn’t going to say anything.
MichelleF

SpineCrusher says:
September 15, 2010 at 6:33 pm SpineCrusher(Quote)
Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0

MichelleF said:
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t remember any death threats from Christians who were outraged at the South Park mocking of Jesus Christ that actually DID air. I pray for her safety.

How about Christians who were outraged at abortion clinics?

hmmmm…pointing your finger at one religion while you have 3 fingers pointed back at yourself.

Well I always hear plenty of outrage at that from Chrstians (from myself included), but nice try!
SpineCrusher

Jesus in Islam

The Qur’an, considered by Muslims to be God’s final and authoritative revelation to humankind, mentions Jesus twenty-five times.

It states that Jesus was born to Mary as the result of virginal conception, a miraculous event which occurred by the decree of God.

To aid in his ministry to the Jewish people, Jesus was given the ability to perform miracles, all by the permission of God rather than his own power.

According to Islamic texts, Jesus was neither killed nor crucified, but rather he was raised alive up to heaven.

The Qur’an states that he will return to Earth near the day of judgment to restore justice and defeat al-Masīḥ ad-Dajjāl (“the false messiah”, also known as the Antichrist) along with Imam Mahdi.

So the Qur’an states that Jesus and and Imam will stand side-by-side to defeat the antichrist.

So why are so many Christians hating on Muslims again?
SpineCrusher

MichelleF said:
SpineCrusher says:September 15, 2010 at 6:33 pm SpineCrusher(Quote)Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0 MichelleF said:Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t remember any death threats from Christians who were outraged at the South Park mocking of Jesus Christ that actually DID air. I pray for her safety. How about Christians who were outraged at abortion clinics? hmmmm…pointing your finger at one religion while you have 3 fingers pointed back at yourself. Well I always hear plenty of outrage at that from Chrstians (from myself included), but nice try!

Mormons aren’t Christians…nice try though.
Corvax

SpineCrusher said:
So why are so many Christians hating on Muslims again?

Probably has to due with the fact that Muslims are waging a holy war with cheap tactics that involve killing innocent civilians.
SpineCrusher

Corvax said:
Probably has to due with the fact that Muslims are waging a holy war with cheap tactics that involve killing innocent civilians.

Which ones?

The 20% of Muslims from the Middle East?
The 30% of Muslims from Indonesia?
The Muslims of Sub-Saharan Africa?
Maybe the ones from China, or Russia or are you talking about all Muslims in the US?

Maybe you’re talking about 1/4 of the world’s population? Could you please be more specific?
Corvax

Nope. The fact is the silence regarding these tactics in all parts of the Muslim world say (or dont say) all that needs to be known. They hold the patent on suicide bombing scare tactics.

Im sorry that you feel like playing the not all Muslims are terrorists card, well no shit. Unfortunately when you dont fight wars in uniforms and hide within civilian populations I choose to be on the side of safe not sorry.
MichelleF

SpineCrusher says:

Mormons aren’t Christians…nice try though.

Yeah, I’m going to lose a lot of sleep tonight.knowing another religious bigot doesn’t consider me a Chrisitian.
SpineCrusher

MichelleF said:
SpineCrusher says: Mormons aren’t Christians…nice try though. Yeah, I’m going to lose a lot of sleep tonight.knowing another religious bigot doesn’t consider me a Chrisitian.

It’s the Christians that don’t consider Mormons Christians, personally I could care less.

I just find you standing up for a group of people who would never stand up for you and I wonder why?
murf

SpineCrusher said:
Jesus in Islam

If anyone is interested to hear the other side of that argument I encourage you to read the link I provide below.

http://www.derafsh-kaviyani.com/english/The-fake-quran.pdf
SpineCrusher

Corvax said:
Nope. The fact is the silence regarding these tactics in all parts of the Muslim world say (or dont say) all that needs to be known. They hold the patent on suicide bombing scare tactics. Im sorry that you feel like playing the not all Muslims are terrorists card, well no shit. Unfortunately when you dont fight wars in uniforms and hide within civilian populations I choose to be on the side of safe not sorry.

Then just be more articulate in your wording. When you make a statement that appears to cover all Muslims you paint yourself to be a bigot.

You don’t need to, just communicate your thoughts more clearly…or else people are justified in marginalizing you….not that you probably care…but you are posting your thoughts for a reason, right?
MichelleF

SpineCrusher says:

I just find you standing up for a group of people who would never stand up for you and I wonder why?

Funny, I’ve only had libs show religious bigotry toward me on this site, never Conservatives. I wonder why?
SpineCrusher

murf said:
If anyone is interested to hear the other side of that argument I encourage you to read the link I provide below. http://www.derafsh-kaviyani.com/english/The-fake-quran.pdf

That PDF is a joke murf…Lennard James is a nutcase, here’s another one of his wonderful articles…fair and balanced my ass.

http://www.islam-watch.org/Lennard/Muhammad-Camel-Urine-Therapy-Islamic-medicine.htm

BTW, it is a cultural think that is still practiced today, there are World Champion MMA fighters who do this.

another…
http://www.islammonitor.org/index.php?option=com_content&id=2486

is this truly someone you want to stand behind..let me quote him:

We should criticize their atrocities committed all over the world…
We should expel all Muslim migrants from all western countries…
We are not give aids to these Third World countries where Muslims rule…
We should not give permission to build their mosques in western countries…
We should not support to their needs and give them technology and education…

nuff said…next!
SpineCrusher

MichelleF said:
SpineCrusher says: I just find you standing up for a group of people who would never stand up for you and I wonder why? Funny, I’ve only had libs show religious bigotry toward me on this site, never Conservatives. I wonder why?

now you’re mixing apples and oranges…that’s fine, I understand it’s a sensitive subject so I won’t badger…just pointing out a truth that you have decided to ignore.
SpineCrusher

MichelleF said:
SpineCrusher says: I just find you standing up for a group of people who would never stand up for you and I wonder why? Funny, I’ve only had libs show religious bigotry toward me on this site, never Conservatives. I wonder why?

also, when Judgement Day comes they will either convert or kill you.

OK, I’m done.
Tater Salad

If the Muslims don’t get their way on “anything” they will bring you this. Watch this video (graphic) and then tell us that Islam is the “Religion of Peace”. They are animals and we should ban all immigration into the United States now. This is the true Islam!

http://www.truthtube.tv/play.php?vid=1987

http://www.truthtube.tv/play.php?vid=2059

http://www.truthtube.tv/play.php?vid=1862

http://www.truthtube.tv/memberprofile.php?uid=20

http://www.truthtube.tv/play.php?vid=2104

http://www.truthtube.tv/play.php?vid=1860

http://www.truthtube.tv/play.php?vid=2789

http://www.truthtube.tv/play.php?vid=2139

http://www.truthtube.tv/play.php?vid=2706

http://www.truthtube.tv/play.php?vid=1238

http://www.truthtube.tv/play.php?vid=2120

http://www.truthtube.tv/play.php?vid=2649

http://www.truthtube.tv/play.php?vid=2178
murf

SpineCrusher

Not that you provided any link to verify your last statements but do you really think its wrong or laughable that ” We should criticize their atrocities committed all over the world ” ?
murf

I apologize Spine Crusher you did provide a link , the fact you included that first line is still disturbing however.
Big Eddie

A contract was put out on an American citizen by some cowardly jamochs . She don’t need to hide . The Muslim punks need to be on the lam . They need to be afraid of us . The fact that they are not is nuts . We’re the good guys . We don’t run .
http://www.facebook.com/people/Thisisur-Conscience/100000016136639 Thisisur Conscience

SpineCrusher says:
September 15, 2010 at 6:46 pm SpineCrusher(Quote)
Thumb up 1 Thumb down 5

Jesus in Islam

The Qur’an, considered by Muslims to be God’s final and authoritative revelation to humankind, mentions Jesus twenty-five times.

It states that Jesus was born to Mary as the result of virginal conception, a miraculous event which occurred by the decree of God.

To aid in his ministry to the Jewish people, Jesus was given the ability to perform miracles, all by the permission of God rather than his own power.

According to Islamic texts, Jesus was neither killed nor crucified, but rather he was raised alive up to heaven.

The Qur’an states that he will return to Earth near the day of judgment to restore justice and defeat al-Masīḥ ad-Dajjāl (“the false messiah”, also known as the Antichrist) along with Imam Mahdi.

So the Qur’an states that Jesus and and Imam will stand side-by-side to defeat the antichrist.

So why are so many Christians hating on Muslims again?

Al Mahdi IS the Antichrist.
http://www.libertarianism.com/ Burnnotice

Big Eddie said:
A contract was put out on an American citizen by some cowardly jamochs . She don’t need to hide . The Muslim punks need to be on the lam . They need to be afraid of us . The fact that they are not is nuts . We’re the good guys . We don’t run .

Ya, Jesus was a good guy to….
http://www.facebook.com/people/Timothy-Wright/774124882 Timothy Wright

MichelleF said:
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t remember any death threats from Christians who were outraged at the South Park mocking of Jesus Christ that actually DID air. I pray for her safety.

Christians did issue death threats to Andres Serrano for his photo “Piss Christ” and other works of art. There were death threats when an art instillation encouraged visitors to step on a US flag.

Does that mean all christians and flag lovers are psychos? No – but some are just like some Muslims are.
felixw

Let’s see if CNN and MSNBC cover this as intensely as they focused on the pastor who wanted to burn the Koran. Is it just my impression or do they bury stories like this?
takeastand

“but a woman who was just doing her job as a satirist has been forced to start her life anew because there are people in this world who are willing to kill over their beliefs. ”
Now America, what about there beliefs?
I know, lets follow Obamba, Yeah right, Muslem will kill if offended, but we have to sit back and kiss there ass and eat there shit, DEPORTATION, should still be in affect……Close the Borders…. It’s time for a change……IT’S TIME WE TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY…..
takeastand

“The Qur’an states that he will return to Earth near the day of judgment to restore justice and defeat al-Masīḥ ad-Dajjāl (“the false messiah”, also known as the Antichrist) along with Imam Mahdi.

So the Qur’an states that Jesus and and Imam will stand side-by-side to defeat the antichrist.

So why are so many Christians hating on Muslims again?

Al Mahdi IS the Antichrist.”
This is so not true,,,there will not be no Iman standing with Jesus,,,He and He alone, is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords……this kind of stuff just goes to show how stupid people really are,,,,they’ll believe anything…….
Time to go do something else,,I can’t take stupid any more…lol…hahahahahahahahaha..it’s so stupid it’ funny…hahahahahahahahahahahah
takeastand

MOHAMMED IS DEAD…. JESUS IS ALIVE!!!!!
THERE’S NONE OTHER NAME GIVEN AMONG MEN, UNDER HEAVEN, WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED……
Hey MUSLIMS,,,IF YOU DIE TONIGHT WITHOUT JESUS, YOU’LL BURN IN HELL….
MOHAMMED CAN’T SAVE YOU,,,NEVER COULD……
BUT JESUS CAN AND WILL IF YOU ASK HIM….
MOHAMMED DIDN’T DIE FOR YOU,,,JESUS DID!!!!!!
DEFENDER-90

@SpineCrusher —-JAKARTA INDONESIA JAN 24 2000–Father Ricardo walked gingerly across the charred remains of a church that was torched by a band of Muslim fanatics.500,000 Muslims gathered in the capitol to call for jihad against Chistian Indonesians,”tolerance is nonsense,slaughter the Christians”.

NEWS TELEGRAPH Monday 15 nov 2004
Muslim conflict now hits China as 148 killed in ethnic violence.
Muslim minority,the uighurs of western Xinjiang,are becoming increasingly militant.

THE WASHINGTON TIMES TUESDAY JULY 7 2009
Clashes spread in Muslim Xinjiang region-156-killed-1000injured.

THE WASHINGTION POST
In 2007,the rebel leader Doku Umarov abandoned the goal of Chechen independence and declared JIHAD instead,vowing to establish a fundamentalist Caucasus Emirate.
Russia
Beslan School massacre September 2004, the hostage takers were Islamist rebels.

I covered Indonesia,China,Russia,no need to covere the middle east.
Sub-Saheran Africa, you get that one SpineCrusher.
bugspot1

DEFENDER-90 said:
Father Ricardo walked gingerly across the charred remains of a church that was torched by a band of Muslim fanatics.500,000

point 1 – from a website that vehemently dissaproves of gays – Muslims hate gays so does this site
http://www.contenderministries.org/articles/indonesia.php
point 2 and 3 – areas of China that want their freedom
point 4 this guy is Russias version of OBL
DEFENDER-90

@ bugspot1 the BBC and Deutsch Welle hav covered the violence in Indonesia and China among other international news agencies.The Indonesia protest were on BBC and pictures of one charred church. I dont know if it was Father Ricardo ,the violence is real. The movement in China is more jihad then 10 years ago.LOOK Im not a Koran burner,but Im not one to close my eye’s,Islam has a problem and they need to fix it.Your point 1 well taken.
DEFENDER-90

@bugspot1 good night see you tomorrow.
bugspot1

DEFENDER-90 said:
Your point 1 well taken.

VERY COOL

love to talk more and learn
not a defender – only looking for info
Roger-AZ

This explains why Jon and Cobert are siding with the Imam and his Cordoba project. They like to live.
alamo2

Big Eddie said:
A contract was put out on an American citizen by some cowardly jamochs . She don’t need to hide . The Muslim punks need to be on the lam . They need to be afraid of us . The fact that they are not is nuts . We’re the good guys . We don’t run .

Then get off your dead ass and join the army!
alamo2

takeastand said:
“but a woman who was just doing her job as a satirist has been forced to start her life anew because there are people in this world who are willing to kill over their beliefs. ”Now America, what about there beliefs?I know, lets follow Obamba, Yeah right, Muslem will kill if offended, but we have to sit back and kiss there ass and eat there shit, DEPORTATION, should still be in affect……Close the Borders…. It’s time for a change……IT’S TIME WE TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY…..

Then get off your dead ass and join the army!
Pablo

SpineCrusher said:
It’s the Christians that don’t consider Mormons Christians, personally I could care less.

I just find you standing up for a group of people who would never stand up for you and I wonder why?

What’s odd is that you see that in Michelle, but not in yourself.
Pablo

Timothy Wright said:
Does that mean all christians and flag lovers are psychos? No – but some are just like some Muslims are.

Really? Compare the respective body counts and get back to me.
Pablo

SpineCrusher said:
So why are so many Christians hating on Muslims again?

The explosions, mostly.
FearMonger

SpineCrusher said:
How about Christians who were outraged at abortion clinics? hmmmm…pointing your finger at one religion while you have 3 fingers pointed back at yourself.

Wow. radical muslims threaten peoples lives… and indeed murder innocent people (including other muslims) on a daily basis… and every time the subject arises somebody compares it to abortion clinics and T. McVeigh. Besides the fact that virtually ALL Christians thoroughly and loudly condemned those acts…. how many ACTUAL incidents are we talking about? How many ways are they ACTUALLY comparable? I mean, we’re talking about a cartoonist, right?

SpineCrusher said:
now you’re mixing apples and oranges…that’s fine, I understand it’s a sensitive subject so I won’t badger…just pointing out a truth that you have decided to ignore.

Right…. ‘apples and oranges’. Wouldn’t wanna mix them, now would we?
FearMonger

SpineCrusher said:
Then just be more articulate in your wording. When you make a statement that appears to cover all Muslims you paint yourself to be a bigot. You don’t need to, just communicate your thoughts more clearly…or else people are justified in marginalizing you….not that you probably care…but you are posting your thoughts for a reason, right?

hmmmm…. blanket statements ‘paint yourself to be a bigot’ …… Kinda like this?

SpineCrusher said:
also, when Judgement Day comes they will either convert or kill you.

as for this….

SpineCrusher said:
I just find you standing up for a group of people who would never stand up for you and I wonder why?

“Never” is a BIG word SC….. you SURE about that statement or would you like to qualify it a bit? Just makin’ sure you communicated your thoughts clearly… wouldn’t want you to be marginalized.

I mean, you are posting your thoughts for a reason, right?
http://www.moravings.blogspot.com Mo Rage

she’s going into hiding and you put up her name and picture? and the picture’s about as big as a billboard on a freeway.

Good luck with that “disappearing”, Ms. Norris.

Mo Rage
the blog
FearMonger

Mo Rage said:
she’s going into hiding and you put up her name and picture? and the picture’s about as big as a billboard on a freeway. Good luck with that “disappearing”, Ms. Norris. Mo Ragethe blog

Yup. Let’s hope she’s not hiding in or near Seattle. Any other intel about her you would like to divulge, Jon?
Alz

Ahh, the religon of peace at it again. Not!

A great video about it all. It’s by a guy named Pat Condell and he did it when the Fitna video was censored on the internet because of Muslim threats of violence.

Just catch the first two minutes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxbYBIlT6VE
Z_man723

Muslims are just sssooooo peaceful
FoxSpells666

@SpineCrusher:

Maybe because when the time comes and the Muslims say, here is they are, Jesus and the Imam…it won’t really be Jesus. That is the logical threat.
More Liberty

Once again, it becomes very obvious who the tolerant ones are, and are not.

Crosses are placed in bottles of urine, Jesus mocked consistently on Comedy Central, bibles burned and no death threats.

The threat of a Koran being burned, the threat of drawig a cartoon of Moohamad and death threats are issued.
Arkansas Steve

Phocus2 said:
face

Jon, you owe your readers and commenters an explanation. Is Phocus correct?
Jon Bershad

Just saw these comments. Since that image was the first thing that came up in a number of places (including articles on this subject) I didn’t think there was a problem with using it. However, looking back now, you guys are right and I’ve switched it out.
WEIMAN

have you ever met a true Muslim and if you have did you ever see a bomb strapped to his or her chest ready to create a mushroom cloud and you know what the world will never be perfect so you and your hating religion can never drop pictures of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him ) any where and no true Muslim would ever kill anyone those who do are dumbasses for thinking it would help and i hope that that molly norris gets what coming to her she deserves it i dnt care what anyone says thats my opinion and i stick by it.
WEIMAN

have you ever met a true Muslim and if you have did you ever see a bomb strapped to his or her chest ready to create a mushroom cloud and you know what the world will never be perfect so you and your hating religion can never drop pictures of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him ) any where and no true Muslim would ever kill anyone those who do are dumbasses for thinking it would help and i hope that that molly norris gets what coming to her she deserves it i dnt care what anyone says thats my opinion and i stick by it.