The Caricature Drama

For the full story, see my good friend Wikipedia

In September, a Danish newspaper published caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad. In one of them, he was wearing a turban shaped as a bomb. The Muslim world freaked. What was the fuss about? First, no one is allowed to draw or sculpt Muhammad. Second, the caricature was very derogatory making all Muslim people look like terrorists.

A couple of months later, newspapers in France, Germany, and New Zealand published the caricatures again claiming freedom of speech. Some Muslim countries (and individuals) retaliated. A Palestinian asked for an apology, Syria wanted to punish people responsible for the publications, Danish goods were boycotted, there were bomb threats, Saudi Arabia and Libya recalled their ambassadors from Denmark.

I can sympathize with Muslim people protesting against the West for many reasons: stealing their oil, oppressing their people, ‘liberating’ them, implementing puppet governments, etc. These are all good reasons. A caricature is not a good reason.

First of all, no one cares around here about caricatures. Until someone wreaks havoc about them, no one even notices them. Secondly, does George W. Bush, Celine Dion, or Queen Elizabeth II ask for apologies? No and freedom of speech does not exclude religious matters. Thirdly and most importantly, do we burn down Saudi Arabian embassies because women are not allowed to drive or Pakistani embassies because women who don’t obey social norms are killed? Let me think. Hmm. No.

Caricatures in newspapers are part of our lifestyle. So is freedom of speech. We would highly appreciate if no countries took sanctions against us or vandalize our properties because of our way of living.