Copenhagen, Denmark - Denmark's highest profile Islamic cleric, Palestinian Abu Laban, accused of fuelling a row over Danish cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, died from cancer, the group he led announced.
"It is with deep regret the Danish Islamic Community announces that our spiritual leader and guide imam Ahmad Abu Laban is no longer among us," the Community said in a statement posted on its website.
Abu Laban headed the Danish Islamic Community, considered by Danes as one of the most radical Muslim associations in the country.
Abu Laban was seen by Danish media and politicians as a possible instigator of the controversy that erupted early in 2006 over Jyllands-Posten's publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed.
Others recognized his work for integration of Muslims in Danish society.
Abu Laban was born in 1946 and had lived in Denmark since 1984. He had recently been taken ill with cancer, Danish news agency Ritzau reported.