A Danish publication, Politiken, received criticism from the European media when its editor-in-chief, Toeger Seidenfaden, apologized for re-circulating Kurt Westergaard’s infamous cartoon, reports the Associated Press.

The cartoon, which depicts the Prophet Muhammad wearing a turban in the shape of a lit bomb, was first published in the Danish publication Jyllands-Posten five years ago. According to the BBC, Politiken and other Danish newspapers re-published the cartoon in 2008 as an act of solidarity after police disclosed an alleged plot to kill Westergaard.

The apology was not for publishing the cartoon, asserted Seidenfaden, but for accidentally offending Muslims. But the Politken editor-in-chief also explained that the apology was “part of a settlement with a Saudi lawyer representing eight Muslim groups” around the world, continues the AP.

Seidenfaden clarified further that Politiken published the cartoon, “not as a statement of editorial opinion or values but merely as part of the newspaper’s news coverage,” and they did not intend to offend the Muslim world, according to CNSNews. He added that Politiken hoped the apology could be a “unique chance” to foster dialogue and repair relations between Denmark and the Muslim world.

The Danish paper which originally published the cartoon denounced Politiken’s apology, reports the BBC. “Politiken’s pathetic prostrating before a Saudi lawyer takes the first prize in stupidity,” said Jorn Mikkelsen, Jyllands-Posten’s editor-in-chief.

Douglas Murray of The Telegraph is also sharply critical of Politiken’s apology, stating that the editor-in-chief’s decision to apologize “grotesquely trampled on the solidarity the Danish press has shown in the cartoons affair."

Murray emphasizes that those who claim to be descendants of a “dead historical figure” are not necessarily entitled to “have their feelings respected any more than anyone else.” He adds, “I trust from now on that anybody, internationally, who has ever found anything offensive in the paper in question will ensure they too get an apology.”

Similarly, several European publications and Danish politicians, including the prime minister, have also denounced Politiken’s apology as a defeat of free speech in the face of pressure from the Muslim world. According to Presseurope, the Jyllands-Posten editor-in-chief stated, “Politiken has abandoned the battle for freedom of speech,” calling Politiken’s apology “shameful.”

The Associated Press reports that Danish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen was “surprised” by the apology, adding that he is concerned that the Danish media are no longer “standing shoulder to shoulder on this issue.”
Nordic news service Ice News cites several other prominent Danish politicians, who called the apology “crazy,” “deeply embarrassing,” and a “total sell-out.”

However, the Danish Muslim community responded favorably to Politiken’s apology, declares the AP. One moderate imam told the wire service, “It is beyond any doubt [Politiken has] offended some people. It is a nice and human gesture that the newspaper apologizes.”

One lawyer involved with the case stressed that the settlement is a positive outcome to the controversy, according to Ice News. “It would be wrong to speak of a victory,” the lawyer said, emphasizing that the suit has pressured both sides to come to an understanding over the events that led up to the cartoons. “Politiken is courageous in apologizing,” he continued.

Ice News also points out that Seidenfaden, the Politiken editor-in-chief, suggested that the settlement and apology could even “reduce the tensions that have shown themselves to be so resilient,” and expressed a hope that “relations between Denmark ... and the Muslim world can be improved.”