The Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy began after twelve editorial cartoons, most of which depicted the Islamic prophet Muhammad, were published in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten on September 30, 2005. Danish Muslim organizations staged protests in response. As the controversy has grown, some or all of the cartoons have been reprinted in newspapers in 40 other countries. This has led to unrest around the world, particularly in Islamic countries: opponents say that the cartoons are culturally insensitive, insulting, and blasphemous. 

Several death threats have been made against those responsible for the cartoons, reportedly resulting in the cartoonists going into hiding. The foreign ministries of eleven Islamic countries demanded action from the Danish government, and several Arab countries eventually closed their embassies in Denmark in protest after the government initially refused to intervene or apologize. The Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said, "The government refuses to apologize because the government does not control the media or a newspaper outlet; that would be in violation of the freedom of speech".

A group of Danish Imams lobbied decision-makers in the Middle East. A large consumer boycott was organized in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other Middle East countries. Rumours spread via SMS and word-of-mouth. The foreign ministers of seventeen Islamic countries renewed calls for the Danish government to punish those responsible for the cartoons, and to ensure that such cartoons are not published again. The Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Arab League have demanded that the United Nations impose international sanctions upon Denmark and that the EU introduce blasphemy laws. Numerous protests against the cartoons have taken place, some of them violent. On February 4, 2006, the buildings containing the Danish and Norwegian embassies in Syria were set ablaze, although no one was hurt. In Beirut the Danish General Consulate was set on fire, resulting in the death of one protester inside the complex. Deaths have also been reported in riots in Afghanistan. As of February 13, 2006, at least 13 people have been killed in the protests.