A discussion of religion can span any number of topics, any number of denominations and sects, its effects on law and politics , and on its role within society. However, when we talk about religion today, one topic comes up universally: Danish caricatures. Out of context this seems ridiculous, but in a solid setting the subject touches on religion at every possible entry. Perhaps no event in recent history, with the exception of September 11, has provoked such a universal and rapid reaction. The retaliation against the publication of these comics stunned and shocked the world and led to the massive posing of a question: Why? This line of thinking has sparked many questions. Why are Muslims so offended? Why did the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten publish these comics? Why does Islam seem out of control? Simple minds suggest that Islam simply cannot stand a little mockery and that this religion produces fools. However, if one sifts through the misconceptions and prejudices, one discovers a more complex answer, one that includes surprisingly little Islam and a much greater amount of oppression and subjugation. The heart of these protests lies not in Islam, but in the shaping of the ignorant by power and historical events. The explosion of protests began on September 30, 2005, when the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published twelve caricatures depicting the Islamic prophet. Mohammad in various contexts, many of which are considered offensive by Muslims and others. The most controversial drawing depicts Mohammad carrying a bomb in his turban, which is a blatant reference to Islamic suicide bombers. The cartoons have since been reprinted in fifty countries ("Jyllands-Posten Muhammad Cartoon Controversy"), ensuring that the main... media community... artoon demonstrations in Nigeria. » CNN. February 19. 2006. Associated Press. February 20, 2006. Ajami, Fouad. “The Fire This Time.” US News & World Report February 20, 2006: 30. Pickler Memorial February 21, 2006. "Cartoon Row: Danish Embassy on Fire." CNN. February 4, 2006. Associated Press. February 20, 2006. Davidson, Lawrence. Islamic fundamentalism: an introduction. Westport: Greenwood P, 2003. Friedman, George. America's Secret War. New York: Broadway Books, 2004. Goodenough, Patrick. “The opinions of Islamic scholars on the depiction of Mohammed are not identical. » CNS News February 7, 2006. “Jyllands-Posten Muhammad Cartoon Controversy” February 20, 2006. Rahman, Fazlur Islam. and Modernity. Chicago: University of Chicago P, 1982. Standring, Peter “The Quran, a book of peace, not war, say National Geographic News researchers ».. 2006 .