(AFP) Danish artist Kurt Westergaard, famed for drawing a caricature [of] the Prophet Mohammed which sparked outrage around the Muslim world, has died at the age [of] 86, his family told Danish media on Sunday.
Westergaard passed away in his sleep after a long period of ill health, his family told newspaper Berlingske.
The illustrator was behind 12 drawings published by conservative daily newspaper Jyllands-Posten under the headline “The Face of Mohammed,” one of which sparked particular anger.
The cartoons went almost unnoticed initially, but after two weeks, a demonstration against them was held in Copenhagen, and then ambassadors from Muslim countries in Denmark lodged a protest.
