What I do not understand is why, if Islam is a a truly peaceful religion expressing a devotion to Allah through his Prophet (Peace be upon him), the Grand Imam in Mecca and all other “true” believers have not condemned the violence and the hatred expressed by their brethren?
Res ipsa loquitur

“I welcome any Muslim or non-Muslim papers to print “offensive” material toward Christianity or Judaism”

I really don’t “welcome” them to print offensive (I won’t use quotations on offensive) material towards Christians, Jews or Muslims… I understand your point, and free speech is truly important, I simply don’t like to see it as an excuse for offending.

PD: Thanks for expressing your ideas so clearly

I welcome any Muslim or non-Muslim papers to print “offensive” material toward Christianity or Judaism as I fail to see how they can outdo early evening television, Hollywood or the music industry. The fact is we live in a world of shock value rebellion against social norms and customs.

However, it must be noted that free speech IS the main religion of the west. Collectively we bow at the alter of free expression more often then we bow at any god (and this often goes for Muslims , Jews and Christians who live here), and millions of our men, women and children have died and spilt their blood in order to preserve that sacred religious right. So if some small groups of Muslims (or otherwise) wish to make this a point of religion, let them be aware that FREE SPEECH IS OUR RELIGION.

This is a clash of ideals that can not be resolved except that if Muslims (or otherwise) living abroad recognize that we do thing’s differently within our borders. I doubt the Dane’s send thousands of leaflets of the publication and airdropped them into Muslim nations. The reality is that some particular so-called Muslims (likely Al Qaeda sympathizers) have instigated this violence for recruitment and other political purposes.

I must at this point commend the great restraint and respect for western values by the Canadian Muslim authorities who instead of street protests of violence, submit to a legal action, which is of course a more appropriate form of reprisal.

D. Young
Ontario, Canada

“Muslim newspaper ran Mohammed cartoons 4 months ago with no outcry
(February 10, 2006)
Muslims across the world have rioted in the past week against countries whose newspapers have published cartoons of the prophet Mohammed. Yet there was no uproar when an Islamic newspaper prominently displayed the same cartoons four months ago.”
Tim T.