Seattle cartoonist added to terror leader's hit list

A Seattle cartoonist who drew a satirical cartoon suggesting an "Everybody Draw Mohammed Day!" — an idea she later disavowed — reportedly has been placed on a hit list by a terror leader linked to the failed Times Square car bombing.

Yemeni-American cleric Anwar al-Awlaki has put cartoonist Molly Norris among a list of nine other cartoonists, authors and journalists whom al-Awlaki blamed for "blasphemous caricatures" of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, the New York Daily News reported.

He did so in an English-language al-Qaida magazine called "Inspire," saying that "the medicine prescribed by the Messenger of Allah is the execution of those involved," according to the newspaper.

It also said that FBI officials had warned Norris that they consider it a "very serious threat."

Norris drew a cartoon this past spring to express support for the creators of the TV show "South Park," which had depicted Muhammad in a bear suit during an episode that aired in April.

Most Muslims consider depictions of Muhammad to be inappropriate, even prohibited.

Shortly after the episode aired, a poster at the website RevolutionMuslim.com, based in New York, said South Park's creators could face violent retribution for their depiction of Muhammad.

The show's producers then said that Comedy Central, which airs the show, removed a speech about intimidation and fear from the episode without their permission.

Norris later said she realized her cartoon was offensive to Muslims and was fueling anti-Muslim sentiments. She asked on her website for the draw-Mohammed day to be called off.

But others seized on the idea, turning it into an online movement via Facebook, and leading to Pakistan blocking access to Facebook.