Let sanity prevail

My emotions have been very fluid ever since this issue of the "Prophetic Cartoons" has hit the headlines. I have felt anger, remorse and frustration while looking at the same story from different angles.

I remember receiving an e-mail from a friend asking me to sign a petition. The petition demanded an apology from the Danish newspapers who published the cartoons. Having heard about the cartoons for the first time, I was very disgusted at the cartoons and was glad that Muslims were using effective means to deal with the issue at hand.

Later I learnt that a boycott of Danish products had started in a lot of Muslims countries. It was positive to see that Muslims were able to take a collective stance on an issue with some sort of unity. However I asked myself the question “Was this really such a big issue that we punish a whole country due to the actions of a few? Would we want to be punished due to the stupid actions of a few Muslims? After all the companies being boycotted were a different entity then the newspapers. Besides if we were to be consistent across the board then the Muslim countries should be boycotting a lot of other countries too on much bigger issues?”.

On January 31, I was glad to hear that the Danish newspaper did apologize. However I soon found out that several other European newspapers had republished the same cartoons. The Muslims wouldn't boycott all these countries would they? The answer was of course a NO. And lo behold in the days that have followed we have sadly seen embassies and flags burning amidst protests across the Muslim world. Surely those images won’t enhance the tarnished image of Muslims; especially in Europe. I can’t see how burning a flag or embassy helps a situation? There must be more effective ways of expressing your disgust?

Sadly this situation is giving credit to the extreme opinions of a minority of Muslims and a minority of European extreme right wingers ; who both believe in an inevitable "Clash of Civilizations".

Locally (in Canada) there seem to be a few people who confuse the laws of Europe with Canadian law. All Western countries don’t have the same laws and Canada does have anti hate laws which would prevent publications of hate material which is what these cartoons were.

The Muslims need to calm down and think about the consequences of their actions. A very relevant question would be: What would have the Prophet (Peace be upon him) done in this situation?

At the same time, European media need to demonstrate more wisdom in how they express their opinions. You are free to express yourself, but you are also free to think.

I hope inshah allah that in the end: sanity prevails.

Here are some links to relavent articles:

• Much ado about newspaper cartoons (make sure you read comments from Waterloo people)
• Stupid Cartoons, Even Stupider Reaction
• Making Caricatures of us all
• Denmark embroiled in Muslim controversy
• Why has a cartoon turned into a crisis?