Sunday, 5^th February 2006 | 9:14 PM
It's more than just cartoons

I have heard of nothing else, but the apparent fury of Muslims worldwide on the publication of some cartoons of prophet Muhammad. Anyone with any sense at all can see that the whole thing has been blown up seemingly way out of proportion because by now, it's more than just an issue over some cartoons. At the same time I think dramatic news spreads faster and easier than quiet news like "Muslims protest quietly" or something like that.

It's a complex situation, and the thoughts don't really come easy to me to describe what I feel about the whole thing. There are so many things.

I have been reading many commentaries and opinions on this whole issue. The whole gamut seems to have been covered. From politics to historical motivations. Most of Europe find it appalling that violence can occur because of these cartoons and that we Muslims can resort and condone the violence. They cite that they have freedom of speech, and thus they have every right to do this.

I say they should be criticised for publishing something they knew for sure would incite hatred. But just like they say they have the right to freedom of expression, then we have the right to feel offended by what they did. I disagree with violence being used in any way, but I also dislike how freedom of expression seems to be used as a convenient excuse for insensitivity.

Any depictions of the prophet (and of God and of the angels and so on) is forbidden in Islam. The caricatures not only goes against this principle, but what is worse is that it mocks what we hold sacred. It's bad enough that our religion was made fun of, but the indignance that these people seem to be feeling from our response seems to be making it worse for me. It's not enough that they offend me, but they must tell me how I should be reacting to it?

But overall, this whole issue is beyond cartoons and caricatures.

- last entry / next entry -

recent entries:

Monday, 20^th March 2006 - It's like I'm Vulcan, or something

Monday, 27^th February 2006 - My house of cards finally comes down

Saturday, Feb. 25, 2006 - Books and fitness

Thursday, 23^rd February 2006 - Still fat and sleepless

Monday, 13^th February 2006 - Fat sleepless me