Categories: Current Events

This has been going on for a good while now. I thought it would just blow over, because the Muslims are reasonable people right? Wrong! Instead of settling, it got worse. I couldn’t avoid it any longer. I just had to post about it! It all started when the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published a dozen cartoons lampooning Islam (contrary to popular belief that the infamous “bomb” cartoon was the only one).

Muslims in Denmark were outraged, and as the news spread, so were Muslims all over the world. They reacted swiftly and violently, burning Danish flags and portraits of the Danish prime minister, destroying Danish embassies, and boycotting Danish products. At first the Danish newspaper was reluctant to apologize, citing “free speech” as their defence. But as the boycott began to burn holes in the Danes’ pockets, the newspaper published a half-hearted apology, basically saying “we’re sorry for offending you but we’re not sorry for publishing them.” Other European newspapers are taking a neutral stance, defending free speech yet still recognizing Muslims’ beliefs. The French newspaper France Soir made its postion clear when it said “We have a right to caricature God.” But what more can you expect from post-religious Europe?

I can see why the Muslims are upset. An offensive illustration such as that of their most sacred figure is bound to be considered blasphemy. But the destruction of life and property will not solve anything, and will worsen the already bad impression of them. I applaud the Muslims in the U.S who demonstrated peacefully. The Europeans are hiding behind the veil of free speech, and seem more concerned with angering Muslims than with offending them. To them I pose this question, what if the shoe were on the other foot? What if an Arab newspaper published a cartoon bashing homosexuals? Outrage and the other homosexual groups would be out in full force, and all the Arab newspaper would need to defend itself is to simply say “Free speech.” Yes, free speech is a fundamental right, but it should be used responsibly. All beliefs must be respected, regardless of whether they are yours or not.