What would Muhammad do?

Ladies and gentlemen elements of the Muslim world are in an uproar! No they're not rioting about the war in Iraq or Afghanistan or the Islamofascists being detained without trial at Guantanamo Bay. Cartoons of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad depicted as a bomb laden terrrorist have angered and encouraged segments of the Arab world to protest, riot, burn down churches, embassy buildings, and kill people. Man, I thought the Superbowl afterparty was bad.

The cartoons first appeared in a Danish daily newspaper, Jyllands-Posten, in September 2005. All was relatively quite until the cartoons were later distributed at the weekly Khutbah. (Friday Islamic Prayer meetings) After numerous Imams distributed the cartoons there was a marked increase in riots and rampages that spread throughout the world in Muslim majority countries and elsewhere, starting in February 2006. Under Sharia, or Islamic law no depictations of Muhammad are allowed. (Aside-This may include him being portrayed as a suicide bomber.) Sadly, as of February 19, 2006 at least 40 people have been killed due to the cartoons. The cartoons were reprinted in several European Newspapers that were adamently stressing their right of freedom of speech. Blah, blah, blah, we know the rest is history. But, is it? What's America's take on the issue?

Where goes the cajones? America has nearly conquered the Taliban in Afghanistan and established democratic roots, strongly persuaded Libya to give up its biological weapons, defeated the Iraqi Army in 17 days, captured Saddam Hussein, held three elections in Iraq and is currently fighting a guerrilla war with the insurgents/Al Qaeda. Whats the American response to this cartoon nonsense?

"These cartoons are indeed offensive to the belief of Muslims," State Department spokesman Kurtis Cooper said in answer to a question.
"We all fully recognize and respect freedom of the press and expression but it must be coupled with press responsibility. Inciting religious or ethnic hatreds in this manner is not acceptable." U.S. State Department statement

What planet are you living on?

NPR's (NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO) vice president of news, Bill Marimow stated that:
...the cartoon is so highly offensive to millions of Muslims that it's preferable to describe it in words rather than posting it on the Web. In this case, I believe that our audience can, through our reports -- on radio and the Web -- get a very detailed sense of what's depicted in the cartoon. By not posting it on the Web, we demonstrate a respect for deeply held religious beliefs. NPR Website excerpt.

WHAT? This has to be the only occasion where a conservative American government (executive and legislative branch) and liberal, agenda setting media conglomerates (NY Times, NPR) are holding hands, and agree to... agree. This unforeseen alliance is much to the detriment of the civilized world. Radicalism is being fed and strengthened by such a stance.

I understand what the American government is trying to do. They are seeking stronger footing in the hearts and minds of those living in the Arab world. As if the ballots and bullets iniative isn't working. Fighting two wars in predominant Islamic countries can definitely hinder your public relations as far as the Arab populace is concerned. The mainstream American media wish to give terrorists a bill of rights and have taken a hands off approach to the religion of peace so I'm not that taken aback by their stance on the issue. They have been bending over for a while now. Having said that, the American government and the mainstream American media are plain wrong. Their commingled ignorance will have significant repurcussions. The select European countries who continue to publish these cartoons under threat, and who promote open dialogue concerning the matter are patriots in their own rights and should be praised. This is one rare instance where I will state that the American government stance is wrong and the European government (a couple of countries within the E.U.) stance is 100% right. This view is open to interpretation due to the E.U. and it's incessant ability to squabble and take both sides of a issue.


One must pose a question. What is going on in the Arab world? Where is the civilized form of grievance and or some remotely accepted complaint process? Does one even exist? What are the root causes of this highly explosive form of expression? Where are the Islamic moderates to speak out against this foolish display of uncivility? Why are Arab youth destroying the buildings of the very people who are investing in ther countries and in turn helping their population achieve a higher quality of life? (European foreign investment) Are we in the midst of an ongoing clash of the civilizations comprised of the Western world verses the Islamic world? Can you count how many times you heard that one?

I see things in a certain light as one would expect. This matter will only act to alienate the Arabs even more from the western world. Europeans are beginning to question and reexamine their relations with muslims living within their country. The United States and Europe have a somewhat at odds view on how to combat terrorism. The US is more proactive, and wishes to aggressively engage the matter. The European Union has a somewhat more relaxed/ it doesn't really affect me/we pride ourselves on our culture attitude concerning the matter. The Islamists are aware of this divide and attempt to form a wedge between the two. Look at the Iran dilemma. Tehran is trying to play their foreign policy right down the line between the United States and the European Union. Thankfully, it hasn't worked, not yet at least. This cartoon will definitely enlist more Europeans to take a more proactive, engaging foreign policy with regards to terrorism. It is only a step in the right direction for the Europeans. Unfortunately, it will take some catostrophic event to wake Europe up from its sleep in order for E. U. countries to enact serious policy reform that will better equip them to combat the growing tide of Islamic extremism that is growing and festering within their borders.

Much has been said about a clash of civilizations between the Western and Arab world. I do not believe this to be the primary protagonist/antagonist scenario, contrary to popular belief. The real clash is within Islam itself. The Muslims must modernize themselves or they will find themselves in a constant battle with the western world. They cannot literally translate every verse in the Q'uran and expect to maintain a peaceful coexistence with the modern world. There are over 100 verses in the Q'uran that speak of some form of violence; the Bible contains well more than 100 verses refering to some form of violence. In some Quranic Ayats (verses) Muslims should take a more figurative translation verses the literal. Christians had to modernize themselves hundreds of years ago. The followers went from a strict literal Biblical interpretation to a more moderately figurative translation. This in the long run helped change and preserve Christianity as we know it today allowing Christian followers to peacefully coexist with non-believers.(for the most part). Christianity has done many good things for the betterment of society as a whole. It has also committed horrific acts in the name of God. Christainity has evolved and matured into the tolerant religion it is today. Islam must do the same, period. You cannot run a government off of a religion or be intolerant of those who posses opposite ideas or follow another religion. ( Aside-Tax cuts for Suicide bombers! Democracy is a brewing in the Middle East, I tell ya.)

The majority of Muslims are straight up good people. Don't be a fool and label all of them as a bunch of maniacs. There are moderates among them but they're afraid of getting themselves killed if they speak out strongly.There is a sizable amount who are rioting, killing, burning churches and blowing themselves up. The enemy is not Islam but, Wahhabism. (strict Saudia Arabian sect that literally interprets Q'uranic texts and applies them to the lives of followers, word for word.)

TALKING POINTS TO CONSIDER

Is there a clash of civilizations? If so explain.

What's more important, freedom of speech or the respect of religious iconic figures?

Will the cartoon artists be murdered?

What are the long term effects of the stance the U.S. government and mainstream media have taken regarding the Danish cartoons?

Is Europe in a state of culture decay due to the inability of Islamic immigrants to become assimilated into their local culture?

What's the biggest problem facing most Arab countries?

a) Terrorism b) Theocratic governments

c) Intolerance of criticism d) Persecution of moderate muslims

e) Subjugation of women f) 15-30% unemployment rate

g) Offensive cartoons h) All except g

CALL TO ACTION:

VISIT: www.npr.org TO LET THEM KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THEIR ACQUIESCING TO EXTREMISM.

Sons and daughters of America, remember Islam is walking the path Christianity walked years ago. Muslims are walking the path to modernism. Let us hope they complete their journey.