Across the Middle East, Muslim nations have called on a widespread boycott against Denmark following the publication of drawings published in the Jyllands-Posten in September which included one of the prophet Mohammad wearing a turban of bombs.
The drawings, part of a contest amongst artists to portray the Prophet, was an apparent test of freedom of speech in the multicultural society of Denmark, according to the Canada Free Press. Some of the drawings portrayed the Prophet in a negative light.
Libya announced on Sunday that it would close its embassy in Denmark in protest of the drawings.
A statement by Libyan officials said that "the silence of the Danish authorities" was behind their decision, according to the AP. It added that retaliatory economic measures” would be taken as well against Denmark as a result.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia last week recalled its ambassador to Denmark in response to the affair, while a growing boycott of all Danish products is underway.
Even the United Nations has become involved in the affair, with asking the Danish Prime Minister offer “an official explanation,” according to The Brussels’ Journal.
The controversy has spread throughout the Arab world. On Monday masked gunmen on overtook an office used by the European Union in the West Bank city of Nablus.
A representative of the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades stated that "the Danish campaign against the prophet Muhammad constitutes part of the crusade the western world conducts against Islam," according to Ynet.
"This is a demonstration for Islam and against the enemies of Islam. We are not interested in seeing Danish nationals here, and we are currently debating how to act against them within our borders," the representative added during an anti-Danish demonstration on Sunday.
Others in the Palestinian public have called for severing all ties with Denmark.
Danish citizens in the region were urged to leave the West Bank and the Gaza Strip immediately. Citizens of Denmark with future plans to visit the area were also warned not to do so.
Almost all Danish nationals in the Palestinian territories work for Palestinian humanitarian and human rights groups to forward the Palestinian cause.
In response to the backlash, the International Islamic Council called on Muslims to ensure that their protests are peaceful. "We ask all members of the Islamic nations to express their views in a calm and civilized manner, and to avoid getting carried away and make mistakes unbecoming of Muhammad's way," the Council said.
Per Stig Moeller, Denmark’s Foreign Minister, met with European Union foreign ministers on Monday to discuss how the Danish government should handle the matter.
