 The Jyllands @-@ Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy ( or Muhammad cartoons crisis ) ( Danish : <unk> ) began after the Danish newspaper Jyllands @-@ Posten published 12 editorial cartoons on 30 September 2005 , most of which depicted Muhammad , the principal figure of the religion of Islam . The newspaper announced that this was an attempt to contribute to the debate about criticism of Islam and self @-@ censorship . Muslim groups in Denmark complained , and the issue eventually led to protests around the world , including violent demonstrations and riots in some Muslim countries . 
