(Undisclosed location, Feb. 9) -- In the wake of calls for press restrictions, boycotts, and threats of violence against artists since the outbreak of the “Cartoon Wars” crisis, a new organization has launched the First International Islamic Joke and Cartoon Competition in order to promote free speech and open debate.
 
The US-based Laughyourheadoff.org has launched the competition in order to support those editors, artists and political figures who have defended artistic and press freedoms against the growing chorus of those who support some form of censorship for publications and artworks deemed "offensive." 
  
"This has turned into a cultural battle of Tours, and it is a cultural and political struggle that free people cannot afford to lose,"  said the campaign's founder, Charles Martel, a writer who uses a pseudonym because of recent death threats against those who dare to portray pictures of Islam's founder, Mohammed.
 
"The point of the competition in not to purposely offend the sensibilities of Muslims," said Martel, "But to resist radical Islamic demands for press and personal restrictions that, if given in to, would eventually lead Europe to a Nazi-like future."
 
As a writer, he is adamant that "American and European political and cultural leaders need to take a stand with Jiri Grusa, the head of PEN International, who said last week that she had 'no sympathy for the cartoons, but I have to defend the right of people to say things, even stupid things.' "

The competition has 3 categories for original jokes and cartoons, named after Danish heroes, as well as a "Mr. Bean Prize" for the best essay with the topic "Humor in the New Testament and the Koran."
 
“Besides those who send in critical or sarcastic cartoons about Islam, I urge Muslims to send in their own positive jokes and cartoons related to Islam so that non-Muslims can learn to appreciate their humor,” said Martel, referring to various recent essays by Muslims who refer to a long history of humor in Islam.

Details of the competition and more examples of artwork can be found at laughyourheadoff.org.
 
The joke and cartoon contest is similar to a “Fight Hate with Humor” contest that was just launched by the World Union of Jewish Students, which itself was started in response to a bizarre pro-Holocaust cartoon effort blessed by Iranian authorities last week.
 
”In one way this whole affair has been good because it has allowed moderate Muslims in Europe and North America to speak out for democratic values and against death threats issued by radical Muslim clerics,” said Martel “Even if they are personally offended by images of Mohammed.”
   
In defense of a competition likely to displease some Muslims more, Martel cites George Orwell and Rowan Atkinson, known as Mr. Been to millions, to support the rights of free speech.
 
"In my opinion, freedom of expression is being allowed to cause trouble, or create discomfort, or offence, as long as your words or behavior are not threatening," said Atkinson last week at a protest against a proposed "hate crimes" bill in Parliament, which was watered down due to widespread opposition among clerics, artists, comedians and atheists.
 
"I wish the oxygen of free expression to be available to all," said the beloved Been, "But it is not enjoyed by all, and where its availability is most poor is often within religious communities."
 
"It is also like Orwell said," argues Martel, "'If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.'”
 
“How many filmmakers need to get murdered, hysterical fatwas need to be issued, and poets, actors and preachers need to silenced before people realize that Islamic radicalism poses a threat to our liberties?” said Martel, referring to recent events in Europe and elsewhere.
 
The contest website also quotes the Iranian author of the bestselling "Reading Lolita in Tehran, Azar Nafisi, in her call for Muslim tolerance of democratic values.
 
"When we are sure of where we stand, we don't get insulted easily," Nafisi told a news agency last week. "I think it is up to Muslim people to show how sure they are of who they are and not make such an emotional response to cartoons that are in terribly bad taste."
 
Martel hopes that the contest will also spur citizens to ask their newspapers to publish the original cartoons in defense of liberty, as well as put international pressure on Western officials and governments which express sympathy for “hate crimes” laws which would silence literature and art, as well as stifle free debate regarding religion.
 
"It is Islamic individuals and institutions in Western nations that need to submit to tolerance and the rule of law," says Martel, "Not free people who should submit to the repressive tenets of Sharia law."'