Muslims at USA miffed over cartoon; demand apology

Some Muslim students and faculty at the University of South Alabama are upset that the school's newspaper, the Vanguard, recently reprinted one of those Danish cartoons of Mohammed.

(AP) Muslim students at the school have sought an apology since the cartoon appeared in the paper's Feb. 13 edtion. It depicts Muhammad, holding a curved sword, with a black bar over his eyes and flanked by two women wearing burkas.

"We just wanted an apology and for them to not do it again," said Joseph Stewart, a freshman who is president of the school's Muslim Students Association, which has about 50 members. "We're just saying this is rude, it offended a lot of people."

Jeff Poor, editor in chief of the Vanguard, said the newspaper printed the cartoon in support of freedom of speech and has no intention of apologizing.

Dean of Students Tim Beard told the Mobile Register in a story Monday that the administration is considering printing some sort of statement on religious tolerance and freedom of speech, but said the university will not restrain the paper.

"If any place should be a place to discuss philosophy and religion and press, it should be a university," Beard said.

The "controversial" editorial and cartoon can be viewed at the Vanguard's site here. There's a very long comment thread, as well.