I'm quite troubled over the cartoon controversy in Denmark, not because of the cartoons themselves, which I agree are offensive, but rather, because of the absurd overreaction of Muslims worldwide. We haven't learned from the Rushdie affair - this is yet another instance where we've gone out of our way to make ourselves look stupid.

For anyone living under a rock, here's what happened. Four months ago, on September 30th, 2005, a Danish newspaper called Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten published 12 cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad in ways that many Muslims deemed sacrilegious. The newspaper claimed - quite foolishly, I think - that the cartoons were "part of an ongoing public debate on freedom of expression" in Denmark. There were a few protests by Muslims and meetings with the Prime Minister of Denmark, but things came to a head on January 10th, 2006, when two Norwegian papers published similar cartoons that were then circulated in the Middle East. Since then, the response has been stupendous:

There were street demonstrations and flag-burnings in the Middle East. Libya joined Saudi Arabia in withdrawing its ambassador from Copenhagen. Islamic governments and organisations, including the Muslim Council of Britain, issued denunciations and a boycott of Danish goods took hold across the Muslim world.

The Danish Government warned its citizens about travelling to Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Syria, and withdrew aid workers from the Gaza Strip.

Last night EU foreign ministers issued a statement in support of Denmark, and the European Commission threatened to report any government backing the boycott to the World Trade Organisation.

By yesterday governments across the Arab world were responding to public outrage. Libya closed its embassy in Denmark and the Egyptian parliament demanded that its Government follow suit. The Kuwaiti and Jordanian governments called for explanations from their Danish ambassadors. President Lahoud of Lebanon condemned the cartoons, saying his country "cannot accept any insult to any religion". The Justice Minister of the United Arab Emirates said: "This is cultural terrorism, not freedom of expression." In Gaza, gunmen briefly occupied the EU office in Gaza and warned Danes and Norwegians to stay away. Palestinians in the West Bank burnt Danish flags. The Islamic groups Hamas and Hezbollah and the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood demanded an apology.

Supermarkets in Algeria, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen all removed Danish produce from their shelves. Arla Foods, a Danish company with annual sales of about $430 million in the Middle East, said that the boycott was almost total and suspended production in Saudi Arabia.

Those up in arms don't seem to understand that the newspaper is not government owned or produced. It is an independent newspaper, and as such the guarantee of freedom of expression allows it to do what it did. It may be in bad taste and it may be insensitive, but the newspaper has a point: freedom of expression allows individuals to express themselves in ways that may upset or offend others. Yes, that freedom is to be balanced with freedom of religion, but even so, adherents of any faith cannot expect that they will never be offended. That is the price we pay for the freedoms we enjoy. Some may claim this is a good time to bring out those old blasphemy laws, but I disagree. In fact, I would argue there are no justifiable grounds for blasphemy laws in liberal democracies.

In any case, why these Arab countries would see fit to demand that Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen apologize is beyond me. If one wanted to protest the publication of those cartoons, one could always cancel one's subscription to the newspaper. But to boycott products from the country? Burn Danish flags? Remove ambassadors to express one's displeasure? Those sorts of responses are just nonsensical. The government is not to be blamed for the idiocy of a private newspaper.

Why are we so exciteable anyway? Why even care what a newspaper thinks? The cartoons, horrendous though they may be, need not affect a Muslim's impression of the Prophet, for our tradition clearly shows him to be a man imbued with dignity, morality and goodness. The Prophet was ridiculed from the moment he started receiving revelation in Mecca more than 1400 years ago. The mockery - even the threats on his life - are well documented in the Quran and hadith literature. A few cartoons will do little to harm him - or us.

Some might argue that Islam bars any depiction of the Prophet. Even so, we Muslims cannot force other people to appreciate the Prophet the way we do. We live, for the most part, in free societies, and there are countless opportunities to share with others our own vision of the Prophet and to convince others that he is a man to be honoured and dignified. We can do so by living like the Prophet did, by behaving and speaking in the noble manner of the Prophet himself, and by showing ourselves to be the rightful followers of this blessed man.

The over-the-top reaction just shows me how much excess energy and strength the ummah retains worldwide. Frankly I wonder if Muslims are not doing a greater disservice to the Prophet when we close our eyes to the suffering and oppression in the rest of the world. There are bigger problems to tackle than the publication of 12 silly cartoons. Now, if we could only put our efforts to better purposes...

It is fair to boycott those companies that advertise in that Danish paper. And please God, let it not include legos and morning pastries.

DrM - just take it easy with the insults - it's so unnecessary!

Great article and site by the way! The article particularly made a lot of sense

I am Christian and was just interested in
the story so I did a google search so here I am. The whole thing is mildly ridiculas. If a random Asian newspaper made a rude cartoon about Jesus. I would be disgusted and not buy that paper again, but then to boycott all Chinese (for example) goods, demand ambassidorial withdraw and burn flags in the street would be absurd. This may sound racist and probably ill informed and patronizing, but I will just ask, do the countries in which there is the most serious back lash understand the huge seperation between media and government and religion and government again that exists is Europe?, or is it under the asumption that governement is some way responsible or in influnenceing the media?

There is again the obvious example between that and sucide bombers. 99.9% of educated Christians do not blame Islam as a faith for individuals or groups. Why are you blaming all of Europe for a few cartoons? (I of course only talk to the people lumping me together with the writers of the cartoons)

My other point, do not attack freedom of speech! although it allows idiots with little or no sensitivity to express there feelings, it also allows freedom of religion which is something I belive we all enjoy?

Reading back over my comments, it might make me sound like one of those idiots, I asure you I am not in the least anti muslim? I am just curious over the blaming of Danish butter makers for a papers cartoon and an insensitive governement!

Paddy, welcome. But it's more than this one incident. There is a long history of animus aimed toward the Prophet of Islam. And given the situation today, occupations and hegemony, this triggers off something actually bigger. But I do remind you of the Christian reaction to "The Temptation of Christ" and so called art that cast aspersion on Mary mother of Christ.

"Reading back over my comments, it might make me sound like one of those idiots, I asure you I am not in the least anti muslim? I am just curious over the blaming of Danish butter makers for a papers cartoon and an insensitive governement! "

The 'insensitive' government represents Danes and Danish corporations. So to show their displeasure at Danish corporations and obliquely at the government - people have boycotted.

Migocup, can you explain the christian reaction to the 'temptation of christ and mary mother of christ art'. I am 100% positive there was not any warning given about taking folks hostage or ambassadors recalled...asking for governments to apologise, decrees by the pope ....etc,..

" I am 100% positive there was not any warning given about taking folks hostage or ambassadors recalled"

True, Voice. But that's not what defines this reaction to the cartoons. The world is complex, as is this reaction. It is not all one. To express anger or disappointment or to call for boycott is as American as Iowa. So when Muslims call for boycott, it's a big fricken deal.

Just to remind you, many Christians (groups and individuals) called for a boycott of "The Temptation of Christ" and its director. It was news of the day. Not quite like this, but there was a reaction. I brought that out because of the comment of potential no reaction if Jesus would be insulted, which, BTW, would be an insults to Muslims also.

Threatening people and recalling ambassadors are not things I condone, but they do say something about over-reaction, yes, but also of the "international" flavor this event and the complexity of domination and the long association with animus toward the Prophet and things like, say, the Crusades.

>>about Blacks, Homosexuals, people of certain ethnic origins was allowed to be published but now we have limits on that type of hate speech.

No, actually in the US we do not. That's why David Duke, the KKK and neo-Nazis haven't been hunted to extinction...though not many would be sad if they did.

Its true that Catholic groups, among others, did call loudly for boycotts in that case. But, I'm not aware of any governments getting invloved. That's the problem with joining religion and government. Now, instead of religious groups calling for a boycott, which they certainly have the right to do, governments are getting up in arms about it. In other times and situations, such diplomatic rows could lead to war...all over distateful publishing. Governments should not get involved.

Migo, you said it best for me....."that's not what defines this reaction to the 'cartoons'. They are just cartoons to most people in the West and they are blasphomeous to most people in Islamic countries. I think it is outrageous for Muslims and Muslim governments to expect the west to bow down to their way or religion. 99% of people in the west respect your right to worship whatever religion you desire. I believe that 99% of muslims do not respect anyone elses rights! This is just another example of that. We either apologise or else....

No OmarG - There are exceptions to freedom of speech which are classified as criminal acts (verbal offences). Examples:

1) Fighting words such as insults that have a likelihood to lead to immediate and violent response.
2) Patently offensive or obscene words (or images)
3) Slanderous and defamatory speech (which is also patently false) without carrying any literary value.
4) Malicious injury to character or reputation.

" I think it is outrageous for Muslims and Muslim governments to expect the west to bow down to their way or religion. 99% of people in the west respect your right to worship whatever religion you desire. I believe that 99% of muslims do not respect anyone elses rights!"

WOW! Just another ignorant post. Who has asked you to bow down? And if they have - don't bow down then. And whose rights aren't respected by Muslims? It's generally their own people's rights, not foriegners.

I agree that the reaction by the Muslim world was over the top, but understand the emotion, as I personally found the cartoons deeply offensive. I wish Muslims would police themselves and their own rhetoric as well, because I have heard and read some equally offensive things coming from Muslims about others.
The fact that other EU papers re-published the cartoons, in my opinion, shows them to be mean spirited, small minded and bigoted. It seems as though they intentionally sought to inflame and offend a population that already feels under siege.
There are certain types of hate speech that are prohibited in this country, but it seems though many choose to look the other way when it is directed at Muslims.
Measured and well thought out reponse rather than emotional and violent reaction would probably prove more effective.

Excuse me, Voice, but that's all you read from my post? F-k the West. No one is interested in their bows. This is about a people who thankfully still believe that religion matters, that God counts, the Hereafter is motoring its way stoping for nothin, and life has a sacred purpose and there are certain people who you don't go after, especially in such a cheap manner. This profaning of the universe, people unable to look at the sky and see God's grace, is a problem. Screw the gays, and then boycott galore. That's ok? If Christians have given up on religion, unwittingly, and find repose in psuedo commitment, that's fine. But don't impose that genuflection on the world, speaking of imposition.

Ignorant.....truth as I see it. The cartoons and publishing them in many papers across Europe and many TV shows in America represent freedoms that most westerners have enjoyed for decades/centuries. The attempt by some muslim governments and muslim groups is to restrict those freedoms either by threats/boycotts etc,... I see that as not respecting western rights and culture. I will say it again. 99% of people in the west respect your right to worship whatever religion you desire. I do not think that's ignorance.

Migo, just trying to draw a correlation of response. Muslim verses Christian. Religion does matter!!

I think that the cartoons should not have been published, as they detract from building mutual understanding. But I also just as firmly believe in the artists' right to create them and the paper's right to publish them. You may have the right to wear a bikini in Alaska, that doesn't make it a good idea. I'm also opposed to the boycott of Arla Foods and other non-related companies. If any company should be published, it should be a company related to the paper or the artists. But even better than boycotts and calls for punishment are conversations and calls for better understanding.

>>So I guess you will cancel your subscription to Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten, but why punish the Danish buttermakers? <<

I dont subscribe to that paper, nor is it available in my locality which is case with most of us anyway. As for those poor "buttermakers" guess what? TOUGH. One wonders if the Montgomery bus boycott would have taken place if civil rights activists were more concerned about financial matters then their own rights. Its no different then when Jews called for a worldwide boycott of Germany in the 1930s. I'm sure it hurt plenty of Germans who had nothing nothing to do with Nazi party, and thats just the way it is. Your "Freedumb of speech" ends where viciously attacking and defaming my religion starts. Dont complain now because its too late, the boycott is in full swing.

My brother and sisters in Islam,

I join you in this peaceful and noble boycott. Let us boycott all the products by all the countries where these wretched cartoons are printed and the respective governments haven't apologized to us.

By now, the wretched cartoons are published on websites that belong to almost all the world. Most of these wretched websites displaying the wretched cartoons are in USA. I haven't heard USA Administration apologizing. At least no one has called me....hang on....the phone is ringing....hello President Bush? ... oh its you Ameen. Let me call you back...

Sorry for that. I was saying, since all the prominent Muslim and Islam bashing wretched websites in USA have published those wretched cartoons, I call for boycott-e-Akbar. Let us all boycott all the products of USA and the rest of the developed world. Those of us who live in USA should go back to our great countries (Any volunteers??? I am actually tied up right now otherwise I would have left by now).

But, my brothers and sisters, if we boycott all products from all the developed world, what will do? Where will our businesses buy their computers from? Where would the milk delivery truck will come from? I'm sure the people calling for the boycott know some Muslim country that will provide all that. I'm just asking.

Your brother in Islam.

Peace!!!

>> I believe that 99% of muslims do not respect anyone elses rights! This is just another example of that. We either apologise or else....<<

So says those who promote hatred. Thats a lot of Muslims for you to know. I dont respect the "right" of anybody to attack in so craven a manner my faith. I think many of you Europeans a bunch of racist bastards, and it certainly shows given the sort of reactionary far-right governments and officials you people elect.
If the way the Roma are treated is any indication, this sort of behavior is not at all surprising. Watching the situation in the Czech republic has been instructive.
I have a feeling the number of "fallen christians," justanother voice" and other multiple aliases are at work. Doesnt matter really, because we are going to take our business elsewhere, preferably with civilized people.