With all the focus on the fury in the streets, it seems as though the major points of the cartoon controversy have been lost. I am, of course, referring to the caricatures of Mohammed printed in a Danish newspaper. While these drawings were clearly offensive, they must be put into perspective by looking at the messages behind them and the conduct of the protesters.
Although I do not claim to be a Koranic scholar, it is worth noting that the Koran only tangentially, and certainly not explicitly, references the depiction of the prophet Mohammed. The relevant passages state Allah is perfect and therefore any representation would be unworthy of his divine perfection, and that worshipping images is in "manifest error." Nevertheless, this ban on depicting the prophet Mohammed is heavily rooted in Islamic tradition and could serve as grounds for offense.
But I do not think that the central issue at the heart of this controversy is the depiction of Mohammed. Rather, the real controversy surrounds the depiction of Mohammed in a negative light. In short, I believe that Muslims are like all other religions in the world, and for that matter all countries, organizations, and individuals: they do not like to be criticized.
The critical implication in some of the relevant cartoons is that Islam is an inherently violent religion.
While even a cursory reading of the Koran, not to mention the sheer volume of Muslims across the world who are devoted to peace, proves this implication to be false overall, there are some elements of truth, or at least true opinion, in the cartoons. Depicting Mohammed with a lit, bomb-shaped turban implies that the religion is a violent one, which is not the case.
But the fact that so many Muslims kill themselves in the name of religion is a point that should be raised.
Drawing Mohammed telling suicide bombers in heaven that "we have run out of virgins" is a commentary rooted in the real events of so many suicide attacks.
In addition, let us take a hard look at the other side of the coin: It is not as though the Muslim communities in countries such as Syria, Iran, Pakistan, Lebanon and others, are beacons of liberty and tolerance.
In these same countries, hatemongering cartoons -- not to mention articles, speeches and government policies -- show disgusting portrayals of Judaism, Jews, Israel, Americans and America. These cartoons encourage and incite people to kill.
Compared to these cartoons, the Danish cartoons are practically benign, and the protesting is only redirected. Such protests, of course, feature the holding of signs, when protestors are not burning flags or embassies, that read, "Freedom go to Hell," "Europe: Take some lessons from 9/11," "Europe, your extermination is on its way," "Be prepared for the real Holocaust," along with chants of, "Death to [insert European country of choice here]," and calls to massacre, kill, behead and butcher various European countries.
These vicious comments are far more hateful than the cartoons that may have triggered them, and are merely a small taste of the hate directed at Americans and Jews every day.
These protests do not go far in dispelling hateful commentaries.
Indeed, the malevolent signs and violent rioting of protesters serve to prove the contentions of the cartoon authors more effectively than their cartoons ever could. As one of my insightful friends noted, if the Muslim world seeks to play a role in the global society, they cannot riot every time they are insulted.
Threatening extermination, another Holocaust and attacks akin to 9/11 are not appropriate responses.
In democratic countries, the firebombing of embassies is not considered an acceptable debate tactic.
I can empathize with the Muslim protesters because I have felt insult directed at my own country and people. These insults have come in the form of hatemongering and devastating physical attacks which kill people and induce fear rather than simply injuring pride.
I would therefore respond to the violent protesters' outrage by looking to the wisdom of another holy book--"He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone."
