Osama bin Laden criticized the publication of drawings insulting to the Prophet Muhammad in a new audio message posted late Wednesday and warned Europeans of a strong reaction to come.The message, which appeared on a militant Web site that has carried al-Qaida statements in the past and bore the logo of the extremist group's media wing al-Sahab, showed a still image of bin Laden aiming with an AK-47.
A voice believed to be bin Laden's described the cartoons as taking place in the framework of a "new Crusade" against Islam and warned Europeans that a reaction would come. "The response will be what you see and not what you hear and let our mothers bereave us if we do not make victorious our messenger of God," he said, without specifying what action would be taken.
The tape came as the Muslim world marked the Prophet Muhammad's birthday and less than a week after the Danish intelligence service said the reprinting of a cartoon depicting the prophet had brought "negative attention" to Denmark.
Bin Laden did not make any mention of Wednesday's fifth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
Danish newspapers republished a cartoon showing Muhammad wearing a bomb-shaped turban on Feb. 13 to show their commitment to freedom of speech after police said they had uncovered a plot to kill the artist.
I wonder if Europe has the courage to stand up to threats like this.
