Danish cartoons – attack on Islam or free speech?

[u]Envoys meet as Muslim anger grows[/u]

Muslims have staged fresh protests in the row over cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, as Denmark – where the row started – made a new bid to calm anger. Danish PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen called in Muslim ambassadors to explain his position over the images’ publication. He said he could never apologise for a newspaper’s actions but said he was “distressed” at offence caused.

The cartoons, some of which depict the Prophet as a terrorist, have angered Muslims who regard them as blasphemous. However, more European papers have printed the cartoons, citing free speech.

So what do you think? Are Muslims justified in their response or was this a case of free speech? What are your other thoughts?

I’ll reserve my comment until later, as I wouldn’t want to prejudice any discussion to begin with. But certainly the reaction has been very strong. Someone said on the news that this would unite Muslims more than the attacks on Iraq.