Qaradawi is an influential scholar and his name frequently appeared in the press in connection with discussions about the offensiveness of the cartoons and protests against them. Here is an article that discusses his approach to dealing with the cartoons, compared to that of the charismatic Egyptian preacher Amr Khaled: http://www.tbsjournal.com/Wise.htm. As the article makes clear, Qaradawi was not interested in immediately smoothing over relationships between Muslims and non-Muslims after the cartoon was published and instead advocated using it as an opportunity to “unify the ummah” — i.e. the community of believers — in opposition to an offensive Western attack on Islam.

But is that an ‘extremist’ position? There is a fatwa on his website that specifically addresses the ways to protest offensive cartoons of the prophet which advocates peaceful protest and says that violent protests such as setting fire to Danish embassies are not acceptable. See http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1139318348431
Note that, although appearing on the website founded by Qaradawi, this “group fatwa,” if you will, was produced by three North American Islamic scholars.

Note also this other item filed in their ‘fatwa bank’ — it’s not really a fatwa, though; it’s a response to a questioner who says, “Why are Muslims so upset over the sketches from Denmark of their Prophet? It seems to me the “mighty Islam” is really a weak religion when you have to get so upset over such a trivial thing.”:
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1139326439284
I find it striking that they answer such a question on their website. It’s an attempt to explain why sentiments ran so high over the cartoon, and in its earnest engagement in dialogue with a questioner who implicitly insults the religion, it seems to me to be very ‘moderate.’

But isn’t Yusuf Qaradawi the chap who is credited with much of the responsibility for the Muhammad cartoon wars? If so, I am surprised that his website publishes such moderate stuff. I am sure there is a more complex connection. Can you explain?