Do Not Tar All With the Same Brush
Abdel-Rahman Hussein Al-Hayat - 08/02/06//
Many Muslims worldwide are up in arms over the September 2005 depiction of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten, not only because depiction of the Prophet is prohibited in Islam but also because of the mocking manner in which it was presented.
In a time when feelings toward Muslim communities in the West are negative and racial incidents against Muslims are common, the publication of such photos can be deemed inflammatory. Not just because of the ignorance in the offence it would cause, but also because the timing (seven months after the London bombings) left a lot to be desired.
However, if we expect Westerners to not tar all Muslims with the "terrorist" moniker, we should do the same. Denmark and the Danish people should not be held accountable for the decision of a newspaper to publish such a thing. Danish embassies and Consulates in the Middle East should not be torched to the ground; Danish people in the Middle East should not feel unsafe.
This is exactly the sort of reaction we fear when an attack occurs on Western soil. How will they view Muslims living in that particular country? Will these Muslims be safe in the wake of such attacks? If we do not want to be accused of the double standards we often feel is rampart in the West then we should take stock of how we react.
Violence is not an appropriate response, no matter how high feelings might run, especially because this violence is directed towards people who were not involved, and may have even been as offended as Muslims in the matter. It is easy to generalize for the sake of simplicity but care must be taken if people's safety is at risk. You do not lash out at one man for the folly of another.
There are ways to getting your point across which doesn't include wanton destruction. Numerous (non-violent) campaigns can be initiated to make clear that this sort of thing is extremely offensive to Muslims and to non-Muslims who believe in respecting the dignity of other people. It can even be taken to Danish law if need be, which will judge fairly and impartially on the matter. Therefore it is imperative that some thought is made before action is taking.
The Arabs are famed for their hospitality, so it is a slight against us that people who are our guests and had nothing to do with this issue be held in some way responsible. They are not, just like Muslims are not responsible for the attacks on Western soil. Thankfully till this moment no Danish citizen in the Middle East or otherwise has been on the receiving end of any misfortune. Let us ensure that it stays that way.
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