Excellent entry Jefferson.

To claim that Mohammed with a bomb (and lit fuse) shaped face is not an insult is an insult to our intelligence.

I however think that the reaction was overblown.

Boycotting Danish products over the incident seems misplaced and unfair to me.

Is there any validity to the argument raised re: if the target were Jews that publication would be outlawed? Are there Danish laws prohibiting the mockery of Jews? I understand the argument is complicated but I really do wonder if it is a moral convention which prevents Europeans from engaging in anti-Semitic commentary (and rightfully so) and not laws. Does anyone know offhand? If it is a matter of convention then it I would argue there is no validity to the argument. If people learn from past mistakes and choose not to engage in the same behavior then it is not the same at all as having laws forbidding the practice. I also understand German law to be on point but that is another issue altogether.

Nonetheless, where do Muslims get off demanding tolerance and respect of other religions? Who are they kidding? Seems the Muslim world has little if any respect for Jews in particular as well as Hindus and other faiths.

Why is the muslim world in an uproar over something printed in some hitherto unknown Danish newspaper? Don't they have jobs and things to worry about?

Who cares if there are one billion or ten billion Muslims. The issue is freedom of the press not how many people are supposedly 'affected'.

I respect the Danes for having their, and living by, their convictions. The Muslims had better enter the real world and not some fictious world of 600 AD

first of all there is no place for terrorism in Islam.
having said that if anyone is of Islamic origin is suspected of wrong doing is automatically reffered to as "Islamic terrorist or radical ro Islamist" this unfortunately has become a norm.
IRA and Mossad are never reffered to as catholic and jewish terrorists why is that?

Once again the Muslims seem to think everyone should march to their tune. While they have total disregard for any opinions but their own narrow minded view of the world. It seems to be a religion of absolutely no tolerance or respect for anyone's views but their own outdated, head in the sand myopic beliefs.

Dear Washington Post Writers / Readers,

I have recently witnessed that Jyllands-Posten newspaper of Denmark has published some disparaging cartoons regarding the prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace be on him). As a Muslim, I am very much offended by this unfortunate incident and found these drawings extremely abhorrent.

The notorious newspaper Jyllands-Posten's concern seems to be "freedom of speech". Let us talk about "freedom of speech". I firmly believe in the notion of freedom of speech and opinions. We cannot silence people by just prohibiting them from voicing their opinions. It is absolutely wrong! In this sense, I am all the way in favor of freedom of speech. However, I must say that ONE'S FREEDOM ENDS WHEN IT STARTS TO HURT AND OFFEND OTHER FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS. What they showed can only be described as "freedom of impudence" or "freedom of insult". I believe that "freedom of speech" is a crucial and indispensable element of democracy and pluralism upon which the modern European democracies were founded. Nonetheless, maybe I am too dumb but I do not see how one can fit "freedom of insult" in democracy!? Since we are living in a big global village called the World, we must show the utmost care not to offend other people's beliefs and sanctities.

As far as I am concerned, Jyllands-Posten's argument is that freedom of speech is being diluted, undermined and eroded. But one cannot defend this noble idea by fiercely insulting 1.5 billion people in the World. This is not a joke, and what they have done does not sound funny at all!

I have always thought of Denmark as a progressive, tolerant, open-minded country with friendly and hospitable people. But these recent events have, unfortunately, changed my feelings negatively. I do not know exactly, but in their culture, is it acceptable to make fun of God, prophets, scriptures and sacred ideas?! Is it a matter of joke? Nevertheless, it is extremely insulting, offensive, rude and disgusting to deride religion in Islam. We are strictly prohibited from making such derogatory comments. By the same token, we also absolutely refrain ourselves from ridiculing other religions, especially Christianity and Judaism. Because, people of these religions are recognized and respected as the "People of the Book" in Islam. We, Muslims, have utmost respect for Jesus and Moses (peace be upon them) as we are commanded in our holy book Koran and instructed by the teachings of our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). In this sense, we expect a similar attitude from non-Muslims in reciprocation. Nonetheless, Jyllands-Posten's recent act truly violates the very essence of this principle.

Unfortunately, especially in recent years, we have seen some insane people, who were known to be Muslims seemingly, exhibited violence and terror towards innocent human beings regardless of their religion, nationality, race etc. These lunatics infringed the very principles upon which Islam was established some 14 centuries ago. They basically hijacked our religion which, in effect, promotes peace, solidarity, justice and generosity towards not only Muslims but all human beings. Every Islamic organization and all mainstream Muslims strongly condemned these acts of horror at every occasion relentlessly. So did I personally. However, such comments were not displayed in Western media in most cases. I believe most of them were deliberately disregarded.

My humble suggestion to Jylland-Posten and all Danish people is that they should consult reliable and unbiased authorities in regards to such issues. Learn about the true facts of Islam from its original sources (the holy book "Koran" and the teachings of the Prophet called "Hadith"). I am sure there are mainstream Islamic organizations in Denmark where you can consult such matters. You do not have to be a Muslim, you do not have to like Islam, it is all right; but all of us must show respect to each other.

Having uttered all these remarks, I must say that these infamous cartoons are exceedingly insulting and wounding towards Muslims. I do not know exactly how to describe its magnitude to you. Let me put it this way: It is far more disparaging and derogatory than saying "you mother is a whore and your father is her pimp!". Now, please have some empathy and think hard! How would one feel, when someone made such a comment about one's very much respected parents or spouse? Then multiply its grossness by 100 or 1000. That is the magnitude of pain and insult perceived by a regular Muslim. Because according to Islam, Muslims are required to love Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) more than anything in the World, including their parents, spouse, children and even their own selves. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself strictly forbade Muslims to draw his pictures let alone making insulting, repugnant caricatures. The very reason was that people might stray from Islam by worshipping his pictures or sculptures. That is why we do not welcome such drawings in any way. We follow the message of God brought by him and his exemplary life.

I sent Jyllands-Posten an email expressing my feelings of disappointment and disgust regarding Jyllands-Posten's disrespectful, offensive and arrogant attitude towards Islam a few weeks ago. They have just started to realize how big a mistake they have made.

All in all, I fiercely and unflinchingly condemn Jyllands-Posten for publishing these ugly drawings and whoever supports them in this matter. I do hope that Jyllands-Poste's apology is sincere and not part of an anti-Islamic provocation. Now we can talk about "freedom of speech".

If the drawing of a supposed image is sacred, then outlaw cartoons, no, writing! Let no one write, speak or otherwise express themselves; lest we offend the mighty muslim! Get a grip,it was a cartoon meant to be humorous. Worry about the important things in life.

Danish government can not hide behind their "Freedom of speech" phrase. That is your internal matter. All YOUR laws are all YOUR laws, not for the rest of the world. You should never try to hide behind "our laws" when dealing with issues outside your border.

Regarding Yusuf Qaradawi, the "many western" critics are in fact mostly American.

Qardawi is the head of the European Council for Fatwa and Research.

Qardawi was banned from entering the US in 1999, and an attempt to do the same in Britain failed in 2004.

The groups who attempt to censor or ban Qardawi are mostly associated with Israeli interests. These groups find some of Qardawi's views on Palestinian militants (suicide bombing) intolerable.

In the Islamic world (Arab),
some orthodox Muslim groups do criticize Qardawi for being "too lax". The Salafis regard him as a "heretic".

Finally, it is important to remember that Qardawi is a Sunni Muslim Scholar. Shia have their own scholars.

Overall, Qardawi is well respected in the Arab world for his relative openness and moderation. For years, Qardawi led a successful show on Al-Jazeera debating taboo subjects like oral sex and such.

This govelling apology is a victory for the forces of Islamic terrorism. In Muhammad's own lifetime he had his followers ruthlessly assassinate those who chose to ridicule his tenuous claims to prophethood, one of these being a woman and another an aged old man. But this was 7th century Arabia. In the 21st century it now seems that nobody in the whole world is safe from Islamic terrorism. If the modern world does not value it's freedom it will forfeit it to demonic ideologies out to crush the human spirit. It nearly capitulated to both Nazism and Communist Totalitarianism. Will it now obediently roll over and play dead when assaulted by this 7th century Islamic barbarism?

This idea of 'media responsibility,' coming from the most anti-Semitic media the world has seen since Hitler.

The arab press routinely publishes cartoons which insult, degrade, ridicule and stereotype Israel and Jews.

I'd take Muslim criticism over this sort of thing a lot more seriously if they themselves actually gave a rat's a** about the sensitivities of any other group on this planet.

In a perfect world it would be wonderful if those who believe the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddism faiths were nonsense would be permitted by society to say so, but there is scant room in the mass media to do so. Every belief, no matter how wild, is given equal credence. But there is a difference between gently pointing out that Darwin may have a point, and ridicule to the point of inciting hatred against a certain belief.

In response to Vahit Sametoglu. See once again the Muslims are perfect and everyone else is evil.

I know for a fact that anti-semitism is illegal in most european countries, in France displaying a swaztika is a major felony, so I see the point that the muslims are making, while it is illegal to incite hatered and violence against the Jewish people it is OK and considered freedom of speech to slander the dearest symbols of Islam, it should not be that way, especially when muslims make up the largest minority group in Europe and they can be victimized by allowing hate mongering as free speech

This idea of 'media responsibility,' coming from the most anti-Semitic media the world has seen since Hitler.

In a perfect world it would be wonderful if those who believe the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddism faiths were nonsense would be permitted by society to say so, but there is scant room in the mass media to do so. Every belief, no matter how wild, is given equal credence. But there is a difference between gently pointing out that Darwin may have a point, and ridicule to the point of inciting hatred against a certain belief.

There is no tolerance of other religions in the Arab world. Until the 1960s there were still significant Christian minorities across north Africa and in the Middle East. Today most Arab countries are almost entirely Muslim as a result of utter intolerance of other faiths.

In Islam, it is no longer acceptable to convert to Christianity should your spouse be born a Christian. But it is required that a man's wife convert to Islam.

Seems like a double standard to me.

Well Mark - I'm a Catholic who understands the Muslim struggle

I've got 2 Questions for you

1 - How would you feel about a Cartoon or Jesus in a KKK outfit (some claim racism is in the bible)
2 - How many people do you think Christians Killed in the last 400 years in the name of the Savior

I'm not trying to justify suicide suicide bombers or anything - Extremisms is clearly present in Christians
look at what we turned the world into

The reason that IRA was never referred to as catholic terrorist is because Christianity, or Christians don't advocate murder of non-believers or apostates. Look at the Muslim countries and see how minorities are withering away because of this intolerance. Wherever Muslims are in a majority, they force others to live by their stifling laws.

In reply to Ryan's query about why Muslims are so angry over something he might percieve to be trivial... sir... you have to understand that Muhammad PBUH is the single most important figure in Islam. We have our own beliefs and values and what happened is extremely offensive. It is not trivial to us. While some people may ridicule their own scriptures, holy figures, places of worship etc. you have to understand that most Muslims do no consider religion to be a target of ridicule especially from those with a very skewed viewpoint of it.

Hate speech and cartoons are legal in Denmark and the US - legality is not the issue. Their publication is deserving of condemnation and apology by the publisher.

Here's an item in the (Jewish) Anti-Defamation League newsletter about a cartoon it found offensive:

New York, NY, November 19, 2001 ... Calling it an example of the "gross anti-Semitism and hatred that continues to pervade segments of Arab society," the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)today expressed outrage at the depiction on Abu Dhabi Television of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as drinking the blood of Arabs."

Is the gross anti-Islamism and hatred pervasive in Christian Danish society any less odious, any less outrageous than the gross anti-Semitism of which the ADL complained?

To the preceding writer, there is no more a "Muslim world" to condemn in a wholesale fashion than there is a "Jewish world" to condemn for the lack of respect some prejudiced Jews show for Muslims and/or Arabs.

To those who think a boycott of Danish goods is a disproportionately punitive reaction, I ask: Did you ever speak out against Israel's vengeful demolition of Palestinian homes? That's my litmus test for the bona fides of any opinion on the issue of proportionality.

actually amir, the IRA is considered a terrorist organization.

The mass media obviously focuses on only one aspect of any given issue. Anti-Muslim sentiment has been growing at a rapid pace in Denmark for the past ten years. The Fogh Rasmussen government has actively sought to dispel and block Muslim residents from Denmark. The cartoon is the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. Also, it should be remembered, that the cartoons were published months ago, and the PM refused to meet with Muslim leaders to diffuse the situation, despite repeated requests. As the country's chief diplomat, he has an obligation to engage in diplomatic dispute resolution.

I guess the cartoonist was just showing a side of the prophet before going to "Pieces". I have to agree with many writers that say that people cannot continue to live in the 600 AD era. It still make look the same but the world has evolved. Unfortunately, people of the middle east haven't evolved and it scares the hell out of me that they are spreading around the world and we welcome them with open arms. They hate us but they'll move in minutes.

Everyone tip-toeing around trying hard not to offend Muslims...while comical or disrespectful images of Christ is totally accepted. This whole controversy is just a sick, double standard politically correct joke on the twenty-first century world.

How free is speech in the West anyway? Britain is in the process of passing a law which will effectively muzzle free speech by outlawing "mockery of religion" (whatever that means). "Denying the holocaust" is a crime in several European countries including Germany and Austria, where David Irving, a controversial historial is in jail for a speech he made over 10 years ago. Saying one is against the Iraq war in certain parts of the world is considered tantamount to treason, if not actually illegal (so far).

I don't agree with Muslims who say images such as the Danish cartoons should be banned, but I see their point that the West has double and triple standards in this area. If free speech means anything at all, it means the right to say ANYTHING, no matter how absurd or offensive other people may find it.

unfortunately the media gives "headlines" to a handfull of criminals claiming to be muslims portraying them as Muslims with no tolerance.
if one looks at recent history 1950+ and their source of info is CNN and BBC yes Islam looks like a religion with no tolerance.this is not the case and never was the case.
if the west is not able to PLANT Mcdonalds and KFC in a country then that country some how seems intolerable and they feel that there's a need for regime change in that country.
it seems perfectly normal for USA and Britain and all these countries to kill innocent people all over the world all in the name of freedom and everyone seems ok with it.the world is still waiting for the "weapons of mass destruction".
is it fair to call Bush "Christian Terrorist" or a crusader?

Amir,

I can't speak about Mossad, but the IRA is often called a radical Catholic terrorist organization. When the Catholic part is left out, it's only b/c it's widely known they're Catholic.

As to anyone of Islamic origin accussed of wrongdoing being referred to as an "Islamic terrorist", perhaps it's because they hide behind Islam to justify their actions? Or maybe b/c the Muslim world consistently fails to condemn their actions.

I have never said that Muslims were perfect! I mentioned those lunatics who hijacked our religion. I am all the against their sick ideology. Your mistake is to judge Islam according to what some lunatics did. My parents raised me in such a way that I would not harm any human being in any way, let alone killings whatsoever. I would treat each and every human being with dignity, respect and tolerance. This is what I have learned as a Muslim since the day I was born!

My point is that there is no infinite freedom. One cannot insult and slander other people's religion in the name of freedom of speech, regardless of the name of the religion.

Some people are trying to equate Islam with terrorism. In this sense, Timothy McVeigh and Eric Rudolph are Chrtistian terrorist, right? Wrong! No religion condones such abhorrent acts.

We, human beings of all kinds, need dialog, understanding and wisdom, not provocation.

wow!
for a religion of love and torleance, as we have all been told the mmuslims are, they sure aren't showing tolerance for the opinions of others.
If I wanted to draw Jesus as a suicide bomber, would the world be outraged? I think not.
The reason is that, outside of the IRA, no one has killed in the name of catholicism since the crusades. The muslim world seems to be trapped in the past. They are living in a backwards time, claiming love and tolreance, while eaching that the only sure way into heaven is martyrdom, and that everyone other than their particular sect of islam is an infidel, and deserving death. For an example of this, we need look no further than iraq, where the sunni and shi'ite muslims are killing each other, simply because they're not the same. The Muslim world needs to leave the dark ages, and join with the world of today, whithout any holy wars, without a culture where women are subservient to men, a culture built on democracy, not absoloute theocratic dictatorships (I'm looking at you, Iran).
If they cannot leave the dark ages in their past, where they belong, social darwinism will come into play, and they will cease to exist.

Vahit Sametoglu writes "Every Islamic organization and all mainstream Muslims strongly condemned these acts of horror at every occasion relentlessly. So did I personally. However, such comments were not displayed in Western media in most cases. I believe most of them were deliberately disregarded."
Muslims don't seem to have any trouble having there voices heard when they are insulted by cartoons. Where is that same outrage at those that have "hijacked a peaceful religion?" Where are the Muslims filling the streets to protest the "acts of horror" committed by extremeists? This is not a "Western media cover-up." What a bunch of nonsense! Either the notion of a peaceful Islam is a complete and utter myth or those that claim to be proponents of a paeceful Islam are cowards. We have a saying in the west, "actions speak louder than words." Where is the action of the peaceful Islam? Nowhere to be seen or heard.

willhelm - in response to your question - i have seen much more insensitive parody aimed at christianity and other religions here in the US. you can probably do a google search and find websites that mock christinaity, god, jesus and all kinds of other stuff. its all out there. i dont see what makes the muslim's think this is a situation unique to them. in the US, christian groups are constantly speaking out about hoe they are offended by this and that, look at the stink they made over passion of christ.

In response to Talha. You need to get a life. Our time on this planet is short. We must be tolerant of each other. As a believer in a higher power I find it far more offensive that any religion would hold to the belief that it is okay to kill a non-believer, but making a cartoon is on the order of the end of the world. I have always been taught tolerance and diversity and I try to practice them. Two values that seem to be lacking in Islam.

What in the world does freedom of expression mean if it is limited to the sensibilities of others? It makes the notion totally meaningless. There are very few things that can be said on political and social issues that will not offend some person, no matter how irrational or isolated. Is that what you really think "freedom" is? To not be offended?

Racist statements are illegal in Denmark no matter which group of people they are aimed at - the law doesn't distinguish between Jews, Muslims or any other groups of people. For example four people were sentenced to two weeks of prison for making a political advert saying "Group rape, severe violence, insecurity, forced marriages, women's suppression, gang violence; that is what a multi-ethnic society offers us". (Source: http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/baggrund/article.php?id=2971118). These drawings - however untactful they may be - will never be considered racist in the Danish legal system. Claiming that rules are different towards different religions is simply wrong.

Response to the Jyllands-Posten's publishing of the caricatures has become somewhat similar to the publication of Salmon Rushdie's "The Satanic Verses" in the sense that what would have gone generally unnoticed by most of the world became widely observed not for the original works but for the brouhaha that evolved. RE: Jyllands-Posten's caricatures of Mohammed, is the issue HOW he was portrayed or the very fact that he WAS portrayed? And, in response to Kardes Vahit's posting, one cas readily see that the way that Islam is perceived by Muslims is in fact quite different from the way that Islam has evolved in recent years and how it is being practiced in societies such as Taliban Afghanistan and Wahhabi Saudi Arabia. Perhaps, instead of focusing on these caricatures, leaders in Muslim societies should focus moreso in improving heathcare and education for both men and women and for promoting tolerance in media in Islamic countries. One has only to read mainstream official newspapers and electronic media in most Islamic countries to understand that the "insensitivty" and "intolerence" of Jyllands-Posten is no match to the vitriole of official media in most Islamic countries.

I just love how religion brings people together. No matter the faith it truly brings about an understanding and love for all mankind.

I'm less interested in the Muslim reaction to the Danish cartoons (unfortunate) than I am in pointing out the sloppy journalism in this piece. I know someone who retired from the Post a few years ago, and he always criticized it for sloppiness. The discussion of Qaradawi is a good example of sloppy research. Citing Wikipedia? It's not fact-checked, and nobody's around to take responsibility when it's wrong. It's ok to start your research there, but to openly rely on Wikipedia alone for your characterization of someone is foolish, especially on a topic as sensitive as political Islam, and when terms like "extremist" or "moderate" are as poorly defined as they are. Morley has Lexis-Nexis, he can look up what's been written about Qaradawi. After a brief scan, I learned the following three things: 1) he supports suicide bombings in Israel/Palestine 2) he considers attacks on American soldiers and civilians in Iraq to be a religious duty for every Muslim 3) he does support participation by Sunnis in the Iraqi elections. Is this moderate? Compared to al Qaeda, yes. Does he support killing American and Israeli civilians? Absolutely. But I found it out in less than three minutes using Lexis and didn't have to lamely rely on Wikipedia.

When Islamic nations apologise for, and retract, cartoons, stories, editorials, television programs, school curricula, radio speeches, and other incitements of hatred against Jews and Christians, I'll take seriously their calls for apology and retribution. Until then, this is simply hypocrisy.

Unlike the case in some European nations, Holocaust denial is completely legal in Denmark. This blows big holes in the pro-Judaism theory.

Well Willhelm. I was born a Catholic and if you want to make fun of Christ go right ahead. I'm not so simple minded as to be insulted by that. I do not nor will I every condone what the Catholic church has done in the past, emphasis on the past. So let us not bring up ancient history only remember had bad it was and promise not to repeat it. I was taught the Lord was all good and forgiving, something that is lacking in Islam.

I am from Denmark and was quite surprised by the turn of these events. The cartoons were in my point of view, at best, pretty crappy and not funny at all. 4 months later, they are burning our flag in the middle east and refusing to buy our products.

Dave Bob: Yes, you can ridicule jews, christians, the queen or whatever/whoever you like and it has been done on many occasions. We have a strong tradition of challenging anyone in power and freedom of speech. You could say that fx. jews were stupid, thats your oppinion. Saying that you would kill jews is of course against the law.

Ryan: Excatly, the cartoons are just a scapegoat or soapbox. It is not a coincidence that the flagburners were members of the Fatah-party, which just lost the election... Or that Saudis perhaps needed something to draw attention away from the 350(or thereabout) people killed in the pilgrimage stampeed. Or perhaps the 1000's of princes living of the oil while they have a big, poor population.

Ben: Right you are. The muslims dont seem to understand that "Freedom of speech" is as important to us, as their religion.

Amir: Yes, you could ponder about why that is so. Having you seen any statistics on the religious beliefs of suicide-bombers lately? My guess would be that it would tilt slighty to Islam, no? Anyone remember the majority religion/origins of the 9/11 hijackers? IRA and Mossad are maybe not labelled as jewish or catholic terrorist because they dont yell "God is great" before pressing the little red button?

The whole issue is spun out of control and i would love to see it calm down again.

Vahit Sametoglu wrote:
"However, I must say that ONE'S FREEDOM ENDS WHEN IT STARTS TO HURT AND OFFEND OTHER FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS."

You have just proved that you know nothing of the ideal of "freedom of speech." Offending other human beings is what political discourse is about. Talking out problems and representing one's point of view is very likely to "offend" someone. In fact, I would say offending people is required in free speech, otherwise it is tempered or self censoring, and that is not free speech.

Sully excelent and to the point

Are there any practicing Muslims who think this is a socially responsible and acceptable form of freedom of speech? I bet there are more practicing Christians who can understand it as offensive to Muslims. Why is that? Christians had an Enlightenment. Islam hasn't. We as westerners need to accept that and work with it, not deny and try to conquer them with our supposed superior values. You can't force that on people. BTW, I wonder how a cartoon of Jesus molesting a child would go over with the West on Al-Jazeera? You know, just poking fun at the unfortunate sterotypes of Christian priests and ministers. Is that funny freedom of speech? It would probably be dismissed by a good many of Westerners (Christian or other) as tasteless freedom of speech, but for the majority of the Christian faithful (ie. practicing) it would spark anger too.

First of all, Islam is completely against killing innocent people, period!

Muslims did not show their anger in the streets, because we do not deem those terrorists as Muslims. Those are bunch of criminals. Western media labeled Muslims = terrorists.

Why would I demonstrate in the street, if some lunatic committed a crime? I did not do anything, and I know that Islam did not permit them do to so.

Did you demonstrate in the streets against Timothy McVeigh or Eric Rudolph? Why not? They committed those crimes because they were supposedly given the mission by God.

I would be protesting loudly, if someone slandered Jesus or Moses. These prophets are revered in Islam. Their names and stories are mentioned in Koran, in various chapters. We have utmost respect for Jesus, Moses, David, Joseph, Solomon, Adam, Noah etc.

Another guy says there is double standard. No! Christians themselves are making fun of Jesus in cartoons, comics, TV films etc. Muslims have never ridiculed any other religion's prophet. It is against Islam.

Before attacking Islam, I recommed that you read Koran and equip with knowledge, not biases, misconceptions or hallucinations. As Einstein says "Eradicating prejudices is much more difficult than splitting an atom.". Especially when it is coupled with sheer ignorance!

How ironic to juxtapose insensitivity to Muslims with the public norms on anti-Semitism. Apparently it is "normal" for Muslim religious and government leaders to proclaim that Jews are descendants of pigs, to encourage murder of Jews, or sanction suicide bombings..., but a cartoon in a newspaper.... well, that's apparently crossing the line. Give me a break --- it's a cartoon!
Also, there is no secret that there are many religious Muslims who are convinced that accomplished suicide bombers are destined for heavenly paradise. If that's the case, will they not be there with Prophet Muhammad and others of their ilk? So what's the problem if we paint them with the same brush?

It is very frightening to see how humanity has been focusing more and more on religious issues and religious animosity for the past 10 years.The phenomenon has reached now a third of the earth population and is now self expanding. And more and more, it seems that each group looks at the other as if it was coming from another planet. The reality is that most people share the same basic concerns: Live healthy and happy and see their kids grow and be happy.

But these religious concerns are taking so much importance these days that they are blinding and scaring more and more people. It is not a good thing and it can lead to more troubles ahead.

Vahit,

Others have already taken exception to other parts of your post. Here's one part that stood out to me:

"I do not know exactly, but in their culture, is it acceptable to make fun of God, prophets, scriptures and sacred ideas?! Is it a matter of joke?"

Yes, absolutely! People make fun of the royal family, politicians, religion, and lots of other things that some people might consider touchy subjects or taboo.

It is an individual choice whether to curtail your own personal freedoms in order to not offend certain people. However, it is counter to everything in Western democratic thought to force this upon all people.

"Nevertheless, it is extremely insulting, offensive, rude and disgusting to deride religion in Islam. We are strictly prohibited from making such derogatory comments."

This is certainly essential to know if you want to know what kind of reaction your actions might provoke in the Islamic world. However, it is irrelevant in the question of how the rest of the world should behave.

Mark,

What's tolerable for you is not necessary tolerable for others.

You keep saying that it is ok if someome insults Jesus (something Muslims never do because they consider him as a valid prophet) therefore everyone else should go by YOUR standard.

Well, who are you? God on earth? The master of the universe?

Your government, the alleged most civilized country on Earth, invaded and still invades other countries and KILL 100,000 of people for the sake of a STEADY and RELIABLE SOURCE OF CHEAP OIL.

How many times did your "civilized" elected officials chant that the Middle East is a "strategic area for the United States"?

I bet this fascist arrogant behavior stems from tolerance and respect of others.

If the Muslims decide to boycott Danish products (something I don't support) well it is perfectly OK.

It is NOT a crime.

Why don't you boycott Middle East oil for once?

STOP BUYING OIL FROM THE MIDDLE EAST, and STOP KILLING FOREIGN PEOPLE FOR OIL.

The publications of the Muslim world routinely publish horrifying anti-Semitic cartoons and caricatures. For the Muslim world to cry and complain now is certainly the pot calling the kettle black.

In response to Vahit. Who wrote "Muslims did not show their anger in the streets, because we do not deem those terrorists as Muslims. Those are bunch of criminals. Western media labeled Muslims = terrorists." I am a Catholic and if someone faction was killing Muslims in the name of Christ you can bet your sweet a** I'd be in the street. Rmemeber Bosnia. We went their to stop Christians from murdering Muslims. What we got for that is more Muslim crap. I used to be ympathetic. Its gone I only have disdain for Islam, not only because of the murders commited in its anme, but because prople like you who claim to be good Muslims say and do nothing about those who adulterate you belief.

Some tried to associate Islam with some lunatic terrorists. Your logic is wrong. If I use the same logic, then how can one describe these? Inquisition courts in Europe, people who were torched to death, mental patients who were beaten to death because they were thought to be devils, Native Americans who were exterminated and mass-murdered, Jews and other people killed by Nazis, people who were murdered by IRA, ETA etc, Muslim families in Germany (in Solingen) whose houses were incinerated by Nazi arsonists... This list goes on and on. What was the religion of these perpetrators? Your answer is...

All in all, terrorism is terrorism, bigotry is bigotry and violence is violence. In all religions, countries, cultures, there are some lunatics like these. If you label a large mass of people by just looking at some tiny fraction of radicals, you will not see the whole picture.

Before you have an opinion, have some knowledge. Not the other around!

Peace to all fellow human beings.

I believe in freedom of expression but what the Islamophobes seem to forget is that freedom of expression applies both ways. It is the epitome of irony to bemoan the Muslim World for expressing their discontent by boycotting Danish and Norwegian products and burning flags (freedom of expression), whilst simultaneously endorsing the right of newspapers within those two States to engage in the worst sort of xenophobic faith-baiting, defamation and incitement in the name of freedom of expression.

Danes and Norwegians are learning an important lesson, that freedom of expression is not freedom from consequence. I support the right of Danes and Norwegians to engage in religious bigotry but protests about the consequences are tiresome, petulant and self-indulgent.

Karim see no tolerence your way or the highway.

Mark,

Are you sure you went to Bosnia to save Bosnians from being murdered? Was it not a bit too late? After 250,000 Bosnians were mass-murdered and 40,000 women systematically raped! How lucky we are! What if you did not react so quickly?! What about the Gulf War 1990, Operation Iraqi Freedom (!), Abu Ghraib? What was the reason? I smell some "oil" here!

Just because someone has the *RIGHT* to say something free-speech laws, doesn't mean they *SHOULD* say those things. I'm surprised by how many posters miss this obvious point.

And Free Speech laws don't protect you from being criticized when you say reprehensible things either.

Seems to me that this newspaper may well have the right to bigotted and slanderous cartoons. But then people in the Muslim world have the right to strongly condemn them, boycott their products and recall their ambassadors.

If one side wants to play hardball (within the law) than the other side can surely play Hardball (within the law) too. And it would be naive for the instigators (the Danish newspaper) to think that this wouldn't happen.

Karim,
Why do you assume where I am from and what government I support. I believe in tolorence. I don't kill people because they don't share my bliefs or religious affiliation. In fact the only religion that seems to be doing that is Islam

Reader,
There is oil in Bosnia? Who knew.

Mark is a bigot.

Hundreds of mainstream Muslim organizations have repeatedly and loudly condemned terrorism. Just Google it.

Anyone that repeats the tired Islamophobic canard at this point that Muslims don't condemn terrorism must be willfully ignorant and a bigot. That is Mark.

I agree that freedom of speech entails accepting consequences of that speech. Because you can be a total jerk does not mean you should. That is a given of civilized discourse.

However, isn't the issue here the demand that the Danish government issue some kind of apology? Recalling ambassadors and the like shows a dramatic misunderstanding of western institutions. Western governments do not write and edit the stories of its newspapers. In most of Europe and the US it is patently illegal for the government to intervene and edit or censor a story. Therefore, it does seem unreasonable to demand an apology from the government and to ban the products of an entire nation. The anger should be directed to the newspaper responsible for publishing the offending cartoons. Only from a fundamental ignorance of the nature of a free society could these demands possible be justified.

Mark,

You are absolutely wrong! Who says I did not do anything against those adulterated my religion. I did a lot of things. I donated tons of baby formulas for the Katrina victims. Because I thought they were victims of a natural disaster and they needed help! I helped organize a lot of meetings, dinners, open house events in my community to present Islam to non-Muslims. I spared my time to explain what Islam is to non-Muslims. I always distanced myself and Islam from those criminals in order to show thr true face of Islam. I always tell my fellow Muslims brothers/ sisters that we must save ourselves from ignorance, illiteracy, vice, poverty by promoting education, health care, family values etc.

What else would you like to do???

Re:Posted by: Amir | Jan 31, 2006 11:32:03 AM.." anyone is of Islamic origin is suspected of wrong doing is automatically reffered to as "Islamic terrorist or radical ro Islamist" this unfortunately has become a norm.

Amir,
I think it has something to do with the exultation "ALLAH AKBAR" during the terror act, and oh, maybe, the fact thay they SAY they are doing this in the name of ISLAM!

Where is the Muslim "not in my name" crowd?

In civilized countries if you commit a hate crime...you're prosecuted no matter what kind of religion you have! Think about this when you talk about nazis burning down muslims' houses in Germany. There is no double standard.

Anon,
I am not a bigot, far from it. I would love to see some mainstream Muslim organizations that have repeatedly condem terroism. What do I google ???? If I find them then I will stand corrected. Also lets not call each other names when we don't see eye to eye least we start butchering each other.

Anon,

"If one side wants to play hardball (within the law) than the other side can surely play Hardball (within the law) too. And it would be naive for the instigators (the Danish newspaper) to think that this wouldn't happen."

The whole point of soliciting and publishing the drawings was to "play hardball": they wanted to initiate an open debate in the country's media.

You're right, people have the right to react in whatever way they feel appropriate, but we also have the right to question whether their response was proportionate and reasonable. If governments ban trade with Denmark, Denmark and its allies have a right to react in a way they feel appropriate, too.

By the way, there are important elements of the story that have largely gone unreported in the international media so far.

For instance, the delegation of Danish Muslims that visited different Muslim countries to raise awareness fabricated several drawings to support their agenda; one notable drawing depicted Muhammad as, literally, a pig. These people clearly have an agenda. The governments spear-heading the criticism and trade bans against Denmark, such as Egypt, are also fairly transparently trying to score points with their citizens.

Vahit,
I'd like to see you marching the street.

Karim wrote:
"STOP BUYING OIL FROM THE MIDDLE EAST"

Now here is a point where Karim and I can agree. The West has had nothing but trouble from the ME. It is strategic only because of the oil. Brazil produces 80% of its automotive fuel (ethanol) in Brazil and is now self sufficient. They started in the 70s after the ME countries boycotted oil sales to the west.

I say its time to get out. The oil won't last forever anyway. Let them eat oil and we'll put our dollars toward growing our own fuels, grown and processed by Americans. Andm, since its crops that make the fuel, there is no additional CO2 production.

Here a link that depicts the history of alcohol production as a fuel in this country and how the oil inductry fought it tooth and nail:
http://www.radford.edu/~wkovarik/envhist/RenHist/1.biofuels2.html

Alternative fuels will not happen while oilmen occupy the White House. Under the republicans we will always be in the ME until the oil runs out. That ought to be a fun time...

To whomever said, regarding free speech, "I must say that ONE'S FREEDOM ENDS WHEN IT STARTS TO HURT AND OFFEND OTHER FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS."...

No, it doesn't. That's the very point you're missing.

I would highly recommend ALL the worlds muslims to STOP buying the danish paper "Jyllands-posten", thereby expressing your anger in their stupid cartoons.

As for boycotting a cheesemaker and other firms in the same country seems... well, stupid.

Today there has been a bomb threat against the very same newspaper, the alarm was just called off. I wonder who did that? A tolerant muslim perhaps? Tolerant muslims have also stormed the EU building in Gaza and burned the danish and norwegian flags. Loving muslims beat up 2 Arla(the dairy company) employees who were in a store.

And behold the pinnacle of tolerance!: Saudi-Arabia, who will not let anyone into their country who is from Israel, has an israeli stamp in their passport or is an atheist.

Are the fanatical muslims just violently(literally!) jealous of actual freedom of speech? What are they afraid of?

Christianity, by definition, is not a political force. Just claiming to be aligned with Christianity does not make one Christian. You cannot claim to be a follower of Christ without embracing and following His teachings. Christ taught non-violence and peace, e.g. "Love your enemies", "Do good to them that hate you", "Do not kill." Any organization that commits war against another is not Christian. They may claim Christianity in some secular or political sense but they are not followers of Christ and are not Christian. The crusades were not executed by Christians, they were executed by a political organization that claimed to follow Christ but, in fact, did not, and was not Christian. Atrocities committed in the name of Christ does not make this a "Christian atrocity." America can claim to be a Christian nation but it is not.
The genocide attempted for American Indians was not done by Christians. Nazis were certainly not Christians, and the Crusaders were not Christians either.
There are no teachings of Christ that would justify any of those behaviors. Performing atrocities in the name of Christ is a egregious justification and blatant misrepresentation of the teachings of Christ and the life He lived.
The atrocities committed in the name of Islam flow directly from the teachings and life of Mohammed. Conversion at the point of a sword by his command.

Tracey,

What if someone calls you "someone who works in a very busy brothel"? Does it sound good? Or what if they say it about your mother, grandmother etc? Is that also freedom of speech? where is the limit of this freedom, is it infinite? I am looking forward your answer.

Liz Said "Where is the Muslim "not in my name" crowd?"

Mark Said "I would love to see some mainstream Muslim organizations that have repeatedly condem terroism. What do I google ???? If I find them then I will stand corrected"

Here is CAIR's petition Entitled "Not in the name of Islam"
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=169&theType=AA

Mark do you stand corrected?

I repeat my assertion that people like Mark and Liz who willfully refuse to look for or listen to Mainstream Muslim Organizations who condemn terror because they love to repeat the Islamophobic Canard that Muslims don't condemn terrorism. Anyone who cannot do a simple Google search (as I did in 30 seconds) is willfully refusing to listen.

And Mark, I'm not a violent man. Just because you are a bigot doesn't mean I'm interested in slaughtering you.

To Ben Neimand,

There is a sentence in Koran, it says "there is no forcing in religion". Muslims cannot/ may not convert anyone by force, it is against Islam. Your knowledge is so shallow and clouded with substantial bias. Please be informed.

Before you have an opinion, have some knowledge.

I did not say that Christians committed those acts of horror. I uttered quite the opposite indeed. I also had some chance to read Bible, and it has peacful message. By the same token, you should also read Koran from beginning to end in order to infer something.

Peace be on you.

Reader,

What if you characterize a whole group of people as "sons of monkeys and pigs"?

Rob: "It is the epitome of irony to bemoan the Muslim World for expressing their discontent by boycotting Danish and Norwegian products and burning flags (freedom of expression)..."

Speaking for myself, I'm thankful that it's been limited to boycotting and protests...right now. The problem I have is not with the act of boycotting, it's the impetus with which it is done.

Anyway, how long before someone dies because of a political cartoon?

I have read a lot of crap fom every religion on this article. I offer these 6 words from the most mis-understood man on the planet Rodney King. "Can't we all just get along".......

Reader,
Where are you from the planet of Pluto. Freedom of speech is just that freedom to say what you want as long as it isn't slanderous or libel. You can't yell fire in a crowded movie theater, but you can express your views and your beliefs. It should be the most fundamental right that a human being has. Unfortunately there are countries, societies and religions that fear the power of free speech. I feel bad for all people living in those countries, societies and religions they must be so repressed and angry.

CAIR? CAIR??????? You have GOT to be kidding me!

Reader

Im not Tracey, but in Denmark you COULD say that. If it wasn't true, i could sue you in court for some money, if you threatened to kill me, you would get a few months in a nice comfortable(no, i am not kidding)jail.

Radical concept isn't it?

Now i got question for you, what happens to a woman that is raped, according to Sharia law? (If she doesnt happen to have 3 male witnesses around).

Mark,

Have you marched in the streets when American soldiers molested and raped Iraqi girls? Have you marched in the streets when soldiers desecrated and flushed Koran in the name of Christianity? Have you marched in the streets when soldiers said "your God is weak, my God is stronger, say Lord Jesus" to Iraqi detainees? Have you marched when warplanes bombed Iraqi houses filled with women and children?

I still smell "oil" here!

Somone commented in a local dubai paper that if this was the US that printed this how would the reaction be?
Would they boycott all US products ? I think not, would they withdraw ambassadors, I think not..

I would LOVE it if one US paper has the nerve to publish these so people could see what the fuss was all about and then watch the double-standards of the Arab Nations come into play!

Please US post these pictures ! :)

Gary

"CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG"

Nice saying, now if we only followed it.

Anon,
Okay there appears to be one. In Washington D.C. Now what about the middle east, and the rest of the Muslim world?

Islamic law prohibits all kinds of molestation, rape etc. It is inhumane, immoral, illegal, illegitimate, illicit, unethical and repugnant. The woman you decribed has a right to sue the perpetrator and receive moral and financial restitution, and the perpetrator gets a very heavy penalty. I am not an expert, for more details see a scholar.
Since Jyllands-Posten lied and slandered about Prophet, people have a right to sue it. I invite Danish prosecutors and district attorneys to initiate a lawsuit. This will prove Denmark's objectiveness.

To Vahit,
You are correct that I am no Islam scholar. So maybe you could explain all the fighting, battles, and armies that Mohammed PERSONALLY led and particiapated in, the caravans and looting he performed, the many he personally killed, the "revelation" that he had from God permitting Muslims to fight for the preservation of the faith, and those he "converted" at the point of a sword. I think your snippet of text from the Koran must be taken out of context. At any rate, pardon my misunderstanding for not seeing the truth of Islam as being a religion of peace when it was FOUNDED by a MILITARY man who KILLED people, advocated killing, stealing and looting, and even claimed to have a revelation from God that allowed killing to defend the faith.
Just chalk it up to my ignorance.

The ramifications in the Arab world go beyond burning flags and boycotting products, which would be freedom of speech in response to freedom of speech. Saudi Arabia & Libya have recalled their ambassadors and shuttered their embassies. Armed Fatah gunmen took over an EU office for 30 minutes. Plus, today, there was a bomb threat at the paper's office. The newspaper itself, of course, has already apologized for the offence.

I don't think anyone could argue that the continuing action is not out of proportion with the insult perpetrated by satire in one newspaper several months ago. Indeed, as someone upthread mentioned, focusing on these cartoons seems a calculated strategy to shift anger away from more pressing, close-to-home political problems. It's a terrific way to let subjects in an autocracy vent a little bit without any danger to the people in charge.

However offended you are by a cartoon in bad taste, as most of us in free world countries have learned, it remains just a cartoon. It's unfortunate that your sensibilities were hurt, but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Anon,
And stop calling me a bigot. I resent that. You can come to my house anytime for talk,diner or just to hang out. Maybe we could solve the worlds problems.
I only hate all murderers and especially ones who do it in the name of a Higher Power. whether they be Christian, Jew or Muslim.

Dhimmi,

"The publications of the Muslim world routinely publish horrifying anti-Semitic cartoons and caricatures. For the Muslim world to cry and complain now is certainly the pot calling the kettle black."

Firstly:

The accusation above applies mostly to the Arab world (including Arab Christians), not to the entire Muslim world.

The Arab Muslims constitute only 22% of all Muslims in the world.

Secondly:

The equivalent of the anti-Semitic cartoons about Muslims are also present in the West.

You will find a caricature of Sharon (Israeli prime minister) as a butcher, but you will NOT find a caricature of Moses, the Jewish people prophet, as a butcher.

Pat Roberson has called Mohammed a terrorist, when did the Arabs call Moses or Jesus criminals?

Yes, some Arabs call Jews all kind of names, and the Israeli do the same against Arabs..it is all bad and should be condemned equally.

I disagree with any retractions or apologies of the caricatures. Just yesterday we were subjected to the video of a kidnapped reporter weeping at the hands of Muslim terrorists threatening to kill her. At what point did we as a society all agree that it's more important to protect the spiritual sensibilities of the Muslim faithful than to demand that the Muslim faithful begin acting like decent law abiding human beings in the terrestrial world? I can no longer accept the sheer hypocrisy of Muslims feigning disbelief while the members of this same religion commit atrocity upon atrocity in the name of their own religion.

When can we as a society tell Muslims that we measure the sacredness of their religion only to the degree that they show us is their daily lives? At what point do we say as rational human beings that a caricature of Allah is far less of an offense to your religion than what Muslim terrorists do to their religion everyday, far less offensive than using a weeping woman as a tool for their own personal gain. Its time we told Muslims that they no longer have a monopoly on defiling their religion.

Jews and/or Christians are, by no means, "son of monkeys and pigs". This is wrong according to Islam. Whoever uttered this committed a huge sin. I apologize on behalf of these people as a Muslim. I would never ever say that, and I would not let this happen, if I were in such an enviroenment. Any word that cannot be called for Muslim cannot be called for non-Muslims as well. We all have a right to live in the World with dignity and peace. Whoever tries to disturb this order, is a sinner in the eyes of God. Whether it is for oil, money, women, land, or anything else.

One of the most popular recent mini-series on Arab television featured a jewish child killing his friend to use his blood to make bread. I don't remember too much outrage. I don't endorse racial or religious stereotypes of any kind, but what's good for the goose...

Vahit,

Good point.

At least the Arab-Muslims are not calling for a boycott of all CHRISTIAN products.

Because you know if it was the way around, the first accusation will be directed at the Muslim faith itself.

Karim,

Total BS. Mainstream media mocks Judeo-Christian religious figures all the time. Want to see Moses mocked? Rent Mel Brooks' "The History of The World". Want to see Christianity bashed? Rent Dogma.

It's all about the free exchange of ideas. In the Muslim world, that's quite dangerous.

Reader

Some muslim group already sued the paper, it was dismissed because it was inside the law. It was not illegal in Denmark, i repeat, not illegal. They did not actually lie or slander, as they did not say anything about him.

They made some pretty lousy pictures(have you seen them?), where amongst also the editor in charge was ridiculed. The only one i found slightly amusing was a picture of a dead suicide bomber going to heaven, but was told he couldn't come in, because they had run out of virgins. This is a satire over muslims blowing themselves(and usually some people near by) and thinking they are getting 60 virgins in heaven.

I have arabs, jews, evangelicals, and catholics in my immediate family - thanksgiving is a hoot lemme tell ya -

The fact is unfortunately, in the world today nearly all terrorists are Islamic. Muslims - Arabs especially - HATE to admit that their ancient and beautiful religeon could be so warped by idiots to the point where a human kills another in violation of the holy Koran - yet justified by Mullahs who claim divine purpose.

The answer is to draw a cartoon showing how the Mullah's "eat everything".

This is a Iranian street saying... "What happened to your business?" one mand asks another "The Mullahs ate it" is the reply.

Mullahs are not always political operatives, just like TV evangelists in america are not always thieves... neither group will open its books however.

Want to stop terrorism? Stop the adulation and power of the pulpit... in Islam and in Christianity.

Hank - YOU ARE A MORON!!!!!

If you think that all Muslims are like the ones holding that reporter than you are not just a moron but a lot of other things as well.

TCanuck:

The movie you mentioned was produced in Syria. A Jordanian tv was going to broadcast it and was not allowed to by the government.

The Muslims who are protesting the Danish issue are not asking YOU as a NON-DANISH to protest along with them.

Just because you might share the same REIGION with the DANISH doesn't make you responsible for what some Danish paper in Europe publishes.

Of course this standard is not applies to Muslims. The Guilt by ASSOCIATION is THE STANDARD.

Why should Muslims in Indonesia, who don't even speak Arabic, get involved in some issue related to Syria in the Middle East???

WHY?

This is RACISM and BIGOTRY.

I accept that the cartoons were offensive. But so what? In a country that values freedom of speech, you do not have a right not to be offended.

The outrage over these cartoons is misdirected. The outrage ought to be directed at those Muslims who have used Islam to justify the killing of innocent people. This is not to say that Muslims have no legitimate grievances.

World's muslims must learn to co-exist with others. They must realise that there is always someone out there with an 'unacceptable' viewpoint, be it on someone else's religion or belief or whatever. It can even be plain racism. Sometime back, certain lingerie and footwear manufacturers in the West depicted images of Hindu gods imprinted on their products. It was an instance of mental depravity of a kind. Some Indians protested. It was never an issue though. Such things are best ignored by the 'offended' after a protest. One must not stoop to respond to all provocations even if later contrived explanations were to state it was 'unintentional'. Plain lies. Are the editors of the Danish news magazine so stupid that they could not see that it was not in good taste and possibly even become explosive? It was plain mischief . But so what? Muslims must not be so naive as to believe morality can be legislated. Sabre rattling can never change someone else's perception of you! Ignore these, my friends and get on with life. Let the perverted feel they have scored a point. They will tire and go away. Racism has always been there alive and active in every country whether openly acknowledged or not. It is becoming overt now because of economics and the changing demography. The western society feels itself threatened and I [a brown-skinned Hindu] believe their fears are real. Maybe they are over-reacting. Message: stay at home and transform your society instead of attempting to coerce others to fall behind you. It is wrong.

I agree with Multicultural!!!!!

Nice way of putting it.

I say we put all the Mullahs and Evangelists on a island and see who survives. (hopefully none of them will Lol)

Hey Blank, I am not a moron but I am sick and tired of Muslims holding everyone else to a standard that I never see them holding themselves to. I read this paper everyday and I haven't seen many flag burnings youths violently demanding that retraction of a statement of violence from Osama.

Count me in with Multicultural

"Just because you might share the same REIGION with the DANISH doesn't make you responsible for what some Danish paper in Europe publishes."

I'm not sure if by "REIGION" you meant "religion" or "region". But in either case this hasn't nothing to do with religion or geographic proximity.

The reason you see non-Danes taking action is because this issue goes far beyond Denmark and to the very core of what freedom of speech and expression is--a topic relevant in all democratic countries.

"Okay there appears to be one. In Washington D.C. Now what about the middle east, and the rest of the Muslim world?"

Mark. You have fingers? You have Google? Go do your own homework.

There is tons of documentary evidence of this on the internet. You are the one making these inflamatory accusations of Muslims not condemning terrorism. Yet clearly you haven't looked.

I re-iterate that people like Liz and Mark who willfully close their eyes to Muslims who condemn terrorism are bigots because they choose to ignore those of us who do (and there are a lot of us). I have no interest in dining with you Mark. I just want to debunk your Islamophobic rhetoric.

Finally another example of Mark's poor understanding of the Muslim world:

"Now what about the middle east?"

Why does someone have to be from the Middle East for you to consider them Authentically Muslim??? Only a small minority of Muslims are Arabs (I think 15%, but not sure).

Dhimmi,
"
Total BS. Mainstream media mocks Judeo-Christian religious figures all the time. Want to see Moses mocked? Rent Mel Brooks' "The History of The World". Want to see Christianity bashed? Rent Dogma.

It's all about the free exchange of ideas. In the Muslim world, that's quite dangerous.
"

Those are meant to be satirical/comedy movies.

Everyone understands that they are NOT meant to be A HATE FEST.

You quickly forget how "The Passion of Christ" was comdened by many Jewish groups in America.

Jews in Israel can mock their own religion but most of them will not tolerate GERMANY MOCKING MOSES AND JUDAISM...for a good reason.

African-Americans can mock themselves by using the n word, but they will not accept it if some WHITE American does it, and for a good reason.

The same applies to Muslims.

This is not about exhanging ideas but about spreading HATRED, BIGOTRY and RACISM.

Anon,
See Hanks post at 1:55.

Hank, sorry I apologize for my comment.

The reason you didn't see it was because it is disguised as PATRIOTISM here in the states.

People were beaten and killed after 9/11 or have you forgotten that. Some of the people attacked were not even Muslims, a Gas station owner was shot is Arizona because he wore a turbin. He was a Sikh, and must let his hair grow without cutting it. What was his crime: that he looked like someone from the middle east. The Muslims do need to be more tollerant, but why provoke them. You know that a rattle snake will bite you, so why mess with it. All I'm saying is that the Danish newspaper had to have an inkling that this would happen, other wise they wouldn't have done it. These pictures were printed twice not once so someone over there screwed up.

Karim,
Yes some Jews boycoted Mel Gibson (Passion of Christ), but I didn't see a world wide rant like the one we are discussing here.

The biggest campaign against Islam is the one carried out by the terrorists Islamic Radicals themselves, not at cartoon. Why don't you see a reaction like this every time innocent people are killed by a suicide bomber? I guess it is more important to complaint about a cartoon. Should the rest of the world boycott all the Muslim nations just because some crazy Islamic radicals? Give me a break....

Per,

I don't believe that.

This is not about freedom of expression because otherwise your government would not be telling Saudi Arabia and even the Palestinian Authority to do something about few radical Imams who try to spread hatred against Jews and Christians.

Your government has banned few Muslim scholars from entering the United States because of their views. Not that they are guilty of any crime because otherwise they would have them arrested as soon as they got in.

Your stand with the Danish has more to do with the hatred of Muslims, and nothing to do with freedom of expression.

And by the way, I do not support the boycott itself.

Karim: Honestly, I don't think the Danish cartoons were meant to be a hate fest either. They were satire. Really! In bad taste? Yes. Would I print them, or laugh at them? No. But it's exaggerating to call them bigotry and racism.

This Egyptian writer puts it well: http://www.muslimwakeup.com/main/archives/2006/01/a_mountain_out.php

And though Jewish groups protested "Passion of the Christ" there were no organized protests, no firing of guns into the air, no bomb threats and no invasions of offices. People disagreed with each other -- that was all.

Is anyone else reminded of the huge furor over that Newsweek article?

It's all about the OIL.....

At least until the Muslims have some control of it.

If the rest of the world boycotted Muslim OIL that would teach them right Rick??????

We don't need there OIL or want them to come to our country to spend there money or buy our expensive automobiles. Give me a break.

Rick just a question, what company do you work/run, I don't want to buy stock there since you will boycott everything that is Muslim....

While I wasn't certain about Denmark, I knew Germany has laws against racial and religious defamation, denying the holocaust, etc. I guess this excerpt from an ADL press release answers that question:

New York, NY, August 24, 1995...The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today praised a decision by the Supreme Court of Denmark paving the way for the trial in Germany of American neo-Nazi Gary Lauck, a major supplier of anti-Semitic propaganda. The Court's action upheld two lower court rulings ordering the extradition of Lauck to Germany, where he faces charges of incitement, encouraging racial hatred, distributing illegal propaganda and Nazi symbols, and belonging to a criminal group.

"We commend the Danish Government for its pursuit of Lauck's extradition and for defending its decision throughout the appeal process," said David H. Strassler, ADL National Chairman and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "We are confident that the German authorities will vigorously prosecute Lauck, whose inflammatory racist and anti-Jewish materials have been an essential component of the murderous German neo-Nazi movement.

So, why is Denmark being ambivalent about calling to task someone defaming Islam? I think the answer is clear, i.e., cultural and racial bias; the European laws against defamation override freedom of the press, which, by the way, isn't sacrosance as in the US.

The numerous mindless posts implying that Islam is less worthy of devotion than other religions (really the contributors mean Christianity) would be humorous if they didn't give proof of European chauvinism (this includes the US).

I am always amazed at the ignorant statement that an Arab can be an anti-Semite; Arabic is an semetic language--Arabs are Semites; Jews do not have exclusive claim to being Semetic. Anti-Hebraic or anti-Jewish, not anti-Semite.

Thee is a lot of hate and venom expressed in this blog, and it all doesn't come from the East. I am a Christian, but I am embarassed to say that many Muslims know much more about Christianity than Christian know about Islam; in fact, I would venture to say many Muslims know more about Christianity than many purported Christians do; at least I find they understand Chirst was the prophet of peace, and not a war monger.

He didn't hate. Christ, being the son of God, does not need His followers to defend Him. He forgave his persecutors, and He did not curse them. Can anyone who believes that Christ was the Son of God think taht He could not have saved himself fromt he cross? He was a willing sacrifice. Can they belive that they are doing Christ's bidding by heaping scorn and invective on Muslims? Rathe rthan defending Christ, they are defending their crippling false sense of ethnicity and race.

Christians need to tend to themselves. On the Day of Judgement no credit will be given for reviling Muslims or anyone else. Credit wil not be given for taking up arms in defense of Chirst--this is not possible. Christ neither asked nor needs warriors of the gun and sword; Christ needs warriors of the spirit; the greatest fight is to keep from losing one's own soul.

"Sola Scriptura".

I do agree with Rick though that Muslims MUST police themselves and worry about the big picture and not some stupid cartoons.

Muslim immigrants to places like Denmark seem quite happy to accept the benefits of living in a free society and to have escaped the hell-holes from which they've come. Unfortunately, a few (and I emphasize the word "few") seem to have no appreciation for the values of the countries that have offered them a chance at a better life. I guess this is the old tension between an assimilationist view and the "mosaic of many cultures" view. But, surely, it's not too much to ask that these immigrants accept the basic values of the societies they've chosen to live in; e.g., freedom of speech.

Hey Blank, no apology neccessary becasue I offer no retraction of my view. I read more news than the average person and my perception is that many Muslims suffer from a severe lack of introspective self policing.

Its not my fault that Muslims are treated poorly in this country or any other. All we have is free speech to protect ourslevs from any facist or totalitarian control. I dont own a gun, but when organized religion (Muslim or Christian or Jew) tries to control what I can read or think then I do think about getting a gun.

I'm not sure how a cartoon that mocks suicide bombers by telling them that heaven has run out of virgins can be interpreted as a "hate-fest". Unless one is a suicide bomber, or supports their activities.

ChuckB,
no-one is bashing Islam per se. We are bashing intolrence.

Ester,
The reason there was no protest because some of it was true, what would the Jews protest about? They didn't believe Christ, they beat him, they tortured him, they helped KILL him, anything else did I leave out!!!

What would happen to me in DC, if I made a cartoon about bush in the same manner, I would be arrested and held for being a terrorist, and have all my phone calls listened too, as well as having my emails read. Is that also a freedom you claim....Freedom of speech, what about freedom of living

"So, why is Denmark being ambivalent about calling to task someone defaming Islam? I think the answer is clear, i.e., cultural and racial bias."

I'm amazed you could "clearly" make this deduction from a snippet of a press release. The fact that he was extradicted does not mean that all of the listed offenses are punishable in Denmark. That is an embarassing non-sequitur.

I again offer the example of Holocaust denial being legal in Denmark--this has been tested in the courts. Do you think a couple of satirical cartoons are more offensive to Muslims than denial of the Holocaust is offensive to Jews? Please.

american muslim
I hate to say this but you are an idiot and must never look at the editorial page cartoons in U.S. papers

isnt it odd, that the perpretrator of the crime claims to be the victim.

it is all a part of the campaign, to make themselves out to be the victim, with invented stories, false allegations, and imagined slights. Part of a campaign of incitement.

The problem is that the Danish government contributes to it, and so does this newspaper.

First of all, the Danish government got itself started with this with it semi-official statment showing support for what it termed (incorrectly so) the 'resistance movement' (referring to the terror attacks in Israel.

The newspaper should ignore the criticism, and the hulabalooo - every expression of regret, every attempt at applogy merely plays into the hands of the incitors, as it makes it appear as if the the newspaper did something wrong. It is an admission, and hence fuels the agitiation.

Egypt cancels the meeting to discuss the million dollar foreign aid from Denmark - good, they don't need the money. And Denmark doesn't need to beg them to take it.

The Arabs are calling for a boycott -they won't by any Danish products anymore - fine. And Gaza they riot against the EU and burn the Danish flag.
And in response Denmark should immediately cease sending any money to the PA government, and should cease sending any money to the UNRWA.

Mark,

"Karim,
Yes some Jews boycoted Mel Gibson (Passion of Christ), but I didn't see a world wide rant like the one we are discussing here."

The leading Jewish ADL (Anti-defamation League) strongly condemned the movie.

Below is ADL statement about the movie:

http://www.adl.org/presrele/mise_00/4275_00.asp

Why wasn't the movie regarded as a platform for "exchanging ideas"?

Why did ADL, along with many other groups (listed in their statement), object to the movie?

isnt it odd, that the perpretrator of the crime claims to be the victim.

it is all a part of the campaign, to make themselves out to be the victim, with invented stories, false allegations, and imagined slights. Part of a campaign of incitement.

The problem is that the Danish government contributes to it, and so does this newspaper.

First of all, the Danish government got itself started with this with it semi-official statment showing support for what it termed (incorrectly so) the 'resistance movement' (referring to the terror attacks in Israel.

The newspaper should ignore the criticism, and the hulabalooo - every expression of regret, every attempt at applogy merely plays into the hands of the incitors, as it makes it appear as if the the newspaper did something wrong. It is an admission, and hence fuels the agitiation.

Egypt cancels the meeting to discuss the million dollar foreign aid from Denmark - good, they don't need the money. And Denmark doesn't need to beg them to take it.

The Arabs are calling for a boycott -they won't by any Danish products anymore - fine. And Gaza they riot against the EU and burn the Danish flag.
And in response Denmark should immediately cease sending any money to the PA government, and should cease sending any money to the UNRWA.

lost in all this debate is the point of Morley's article - the paper has apologized, yet "In the Persian Gulf, the apology is being met with open disdain, according to the Khaleej Times. Muslim "fury" is growing, reports Aljazeera.net."

OK, so an apology isn't good enough. what is? it's absurd for anyone to ask for govt action, by the way, given that the paper apparently didn't break any danish laws. so again - what do the protesters want now?

From what I'm gathering it's considered blasphemy if you make/print a picture of the prophet. Correct?

Why would a western co