Sir, one central point of your article appears to be that western nations have no moral right to lecture on human rights or free speech, primarily because of colonialism. But how do you square this with the conquests of muslims? Islam began in Arabia, and by the mid 8th century had conquered large parts of Iberia and Asia Minor. If the west is morally corrupt for its conquests, what about Islam? Another point you make is that muslims are not protesting about western occupation--by America and Israel. I would have asked why muslims are not protesting against beheadings and kidnappings and murder in the name of religion. This hurts the muslim image more than anything. If you want to know why Europe believes it has a problem with a growing muslim population, you can look no further than placards that say "Behead those who say Islam is violent." Is all irony lost?

But no intellectual or lawyer. Anti-Semitic cartoons are not the same as cartoons about PBUH. The latter are an attack on a deceased protagonist of a major world philosophy. The former are an attack on people. Relativize all you will but you're plain wrong. Debating, analyzing, critiquing and ridiculing a philosophy--even if that philosophy, parts or protagonists thereof are "sacred" to some, many or more--is an inalienable right of every individual in a free society. It has nothing to do with Islamophobia, anti-Semitism or racism, all of which are subsets of xenophobia.

"Europe has no right to want to cleanse itself of immigrants (the vast majority of whom are Muslim), because Europe itself wanted these immigrants for their cheap labor." There is no democratic mandate for immigration -- no European nation has ever put the historically high level of immigration to the vote. Political correctness seems to allow ever-increasing levels of chain-migration. For example, at least half of all Pakistanis in Britain import spouses from Pakistan. Many Europeans feel that these Muslim immigrants are colonists, not citizens.

I think Mr. Hlehel is missing the point. Nobody questions whether it is moral to print enciting propaganda in the media. It was just as disgusting and unethical before and during the Holocaust as it is now. The western world is outraged because of the fanatic reaction that the Muslim population is showing over this propaganda. Mr. Hhlehel was "shocked" at the west's reaction of outrage over the Muslim "demonstrations." He said the west condemns it by saying that Muslims don't know what free speach is. It doesn't matter whether Muslims don't know what free speech is (most of them don't in the Middle East because they live under theocratic totalitarian regimes that don't give them this right), burning cars, flags, buildings, and embassies is not acceptable moral behavior, no matter what race or religion you're from.

The use of the the "n" word in any manner insights the very feelings that your writer purports to abhor. I strongly suggest that this word is removed from your vocabulary and replaced with "n" or find other ways to state your point. Otherwise, it is simply the hypocrisy.

"Shocked by Moslems... but won't lift a finger to the Western occupations and its control over Muslim peoples, in so many ways." Throught the history of revolution, humans don't lift a finger until they are put "against the wall" or percieve themselves to be there. Religion, has played its part on this. I has been what soothed the pain. In many human circumstances of dispair, religion is all people have that gives them hope and helps them go on. It explains your condition and helps you accept it with the promise of hughe price by enduring the present. Take religion away, threaten its validity in any way, and you put the believers against the wall.

Open minded journalists are welcome. I liked Ala Hlel's thought provoking ideas. The cartoons were created by people who have no deep understanding of the Muslim world. The protesters have zero knowledge of the European culture. 99.9% of all of us are just decent people. Wreckless democratic and undemocratic presidents, dictators, warlords are inciting the people against each other. The challenge is to apply common sense v. cheap propaganda to coexist in peace.

"I believe [the fury that has exploded throughout the Muslim world] symbolizes the arrogance and complacency the West feels towards Muslims" Arrogance and complacency? Most non-Muslims like me are eager to see the planet shared among all cultures, and it may surprise you that most of us observe great care in being sensitive to all religious beliefs. We recognize that not all western governments have the same priorities. The problem is, you think that people like us are the minority. This debacle has nothing, NOTHING, to do with free speech. This angle just makes it easier for the West to justify their action, and easier for the Muslim world to justify their reaction. Muslim groups worldwide reacted to the cartoons (that were insulting, at worst) by threatening to "hang the culprits", "behead those who insult Islam", have declared "We will redeem our prophet, Mohammed, with our blood", and have warned: "Europe, your 9/11 will come". Eventually the world will become tired of being "taught a lesson". The Muslim world must come to grips with the reality that their culture cannot exist in a vacuum, that it must co-exist with other cultures and belief systems, and that it will be subject to the same tribulations that have inevitably affected every culture on the planet at one time or another. The suggestion that this excessive and ugly reaction was motivated by a need for revenge on colonial-era empire-building is a sophomoric justification and an absurd insinuation. Should black South Africans drop what they're doing and set fire to some buildings as payback? Should India use its nuclear weapons on Buckingham Palace to right past wrongs? Should China invade Japan to avenge their bloody history? At its core, it's about intolerance. The Middle Eastern countries have now become accustomed to playing the victim card (a condition that, to my great chagrin, is not entirely inaccurate), so when a suitably inflammatory opportunity emerges–one that is only ever as religiously motivated as it is politically profitable–the response is swift and violent. Riots are forged, slogans abound, threats are issued, stones are thrown, buildings are torched, and the blasphemers are murdered (guilty or not). Even life has less value than spiritual rectitude. Imagine that. It's the blinding, arrogant bloodlust of a theocentric and, ultimately, an ethnocentric consciousness that insists on its rightful, God-given place atop the highest mountain (and make no mistake: there is but room enough for one). In defense of their sacred beliefs, nothing is sacred. They seek to destroy the very thing they are.

Upon reading Ala Hlehel's article I should like to comment sadly that in my opinion the entire debate is poisoned by the misunderstanding that the infamous cartoons were hateful and had no purpose. In their strictly Danish context they need to be seen as comments asking the desperate question that all well-meaning and repenting Europeans need to know the answer to: What is Islam? Is Islam really vouchsafing violence? If we cannot ask that question in Denmark, it is no longer a country with free speech. The cartoons scream out this message in their blatant ignorance of what Islam stands for, forcing us to conclude that if none among the Muslim community stand up against the extremists killing in the name of Mohammed and the sharia, then this is how common man in the West is left to see it. Harsh and sad but true. The language used in the cartoons is called sarcasm and as such they are benevolent becuase they are higly relevant in the face that we desperately need to talk about how to appreciate and embrace Islam in the West. It is a fact that Islam has a severe image problem in the West, and most are dying to see the day when we can form a clear consciousness of the difference between true Islam and what can only be termed fascist misanthropic Islam. Please understand that we want to respect Islam because we NEED to. Please understand that repsect does not come with threats and abusive demonstrations against innocent and well meaning people. If you truly love your God and Mohammed, the impeccable, then please help others to do the same. Respect is not the same as submission. True respect, as shown by Danish cartoons is to slam people in the face saying: Surely this is NOT Mohammed! Please correct the misunderstanding. Even if it may be too late, then blessed be grace and your forgiveness. May your God be with you always! Love Galahad/Japan

The last time the nation of Islam united for a religious cause, Israel was bombarded with a holy war. Because of their failure, some might say they aren't finished yet. I wonder what this re-unification will bring.

"Its they're fault we're only angry because some time during history we were under occupation, I dont want to play with you! wahhh!! Itbah al yahud!" *Burns embassy*.

WE have the right to say so. WE do not like Islam Islamic law . WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY SO. We view Islam as neolithic, violent and backwards based upon what we see and what is written in the koran and... we have the right to say so Without being threatened ! "The debate in the Muslim world today must focus on processes that get people out on the street: Are insulting cartoons of the Prophet more dangerous than the occupation of Muslim countries? "" Who has occupation ? Islam destroyed every nation it seizes ABUSING WOMEN IN THE NAME OF ALLAH. Look at what muslims have done in Afrcia.... Forcing , thru neothic violence, your peaceful Islam. 1OOO'S dead in Allah's name. Muslims move in and take right over with no regard for the host country . 2004 Denmark - WHAT ACTUALLY STARTED THIS CARTOON RAGE ! http://www.cphpost.dk/get/82118.html An Islamic mufti in Copenhagen has sparked a political outcry after publicly declaring that women who refuse to wear headscarves are "asking for rape"

Muslims fly commercial airliners into buildings in New York City. No Muslim outrage. Muslim officials block the exit where school girls are trying to escape a burning building because their faces were exposed. No Muslim outrage. Muslims cut off the heads of three teenaged girls on their way to school in Indonesia. A Christian school. No Muslim outrage. Muslims murder teachers trying to teach Muslim children in Iraq. No Muslim outrage. Muslims murder over 80 tourists with car bombs outside cafes and hotels in Egypt. No Muslim outrage. A Muslim attacks a missionary children's school in India. Kills six. No Muslim outrage. Muslims slaughter hundreds of children and teachers in Beslan, Russia. Muslims shoot children in the back. No Muslim outrage. Let's go way back. Muslims kidnap and kill athletes at the Munich Summer Olympics. No Muslim outrage. Muslims fire rocket-propelled grenades into schools full of children in Israel. No Muslim outrage. Muslims murder more than 50 commuters in attacks on London subways and busses. Over 700 are injured. No Muslim outrage. Muslims massacre dozens of innocents at a Passover Seder. No Muslim outrage. Muslims murder innocent vacationers in Bali. No Muslim outrage. Muslim newspapers publish anti-Semitic cartoons. No Muslim outrage Muslims are involved, on one side or the other, in almost every one of the 125+ shooting wars around the world. No Muslim outrage. Muslims beat the charred bodies of Western civilians with their shoes, then hang them from a bridge. No Muslim outrage. Newspapers in Denmark and Norway publish cartoons depicting Mohammed. Muslims are outraged. Dead children. Dead tourists. Dead teachers. Dead doctors and nurses. Death, destruction and mayhem around the world at the hands of Muslims .. no Muslim outrage ... but publish a cartoon depicting Mohammed with a bomb in his turban and all hell breaks loose. The Western world is quickly becoming disgusted and tired of the Muslim behavior and will in all probability deal with it in a manner similar to dealing with the Nazi's.

Where countries permitted, violence followed, where countries did not, violence did not. I am learning that the depiction of Moahmmed is an offense to Muslims, violence is an offense to all humanity. My wish is for a clear mssage from the followers of Mohammed that they object resloutely to the violence, the video-taped murders, kidnappings. I have not heard that resolute voice.

Even in countries where the populace is allegedly permitted the freedom of speech, people are not permitted to behave like hoodlums. You raise some very thought-provoking points about life under the imperialist fist, and certainly those of us who are the imperialists should take your observations to heart. Nevertheless, we cannot tolerate behaviors such as those exhibited by the Muslim world in response to the cartoons. You can call it censorship, you can call it refusal of the right of free speech, or you can call it keeping peace and order. Regardless, people in civilized societies are not permitted to behave like criminals, even if it is because they are angry, repressed, and poor. Where is the outcry against this behavior on the part of the Muslim leadership and clerics? We non-Muslims will continue to view Muslims as a bunch of undisciplined hoodlums until Muslims, themselves, stop behaving in such a manner (no matter what the reasons why). Where are the "moderate" voices in Islam pointing this out to their own people? We non-Muslims need to sit down and seriously re-examine how we interact with Muslims in our own countries and abroad. However, Muslims must start acting like responsible adults if they are to be expected to be invited to the meeting. When adults in free societies act like these protestors, their freedoms are restricted, not expanded.

See some Muslim handiwork here http://www.dolfindisko.com

I agree in many ways with the author and am embarassed by the remarks of my countrymen. Please, Westerners, Muslims, look in the mirror. See what you really are. We're all guilty by assosiation. How can you accuse others of crimes without first atoning for your own? Suicide bombers, stealth bombers. What we're dealing with is massive racism on both sides AND true, serious, unresolved conflcits. We need to resolve the latter without recourse to the former. No?

I must disagree with your observations and conclusions on several points. Firstly, the objective of satire is to expose vices or human folly and discredit it. That is what Plitical cartoons do so well. I this case, the Prophet was used to discredit the use of bombs and death to forward religious goals in the name of the Prohet. It made fun not of the Prophet but of his adherents who believe that bombs which kill non believers entitle them to a special place in their religion. This of course, while at the same time proclaiming that Islam is a religion of tolerance. It does not deligitimize the Prophet, only the violence used in His name. That belief is illegitimate whether it is advanced by Shia, Sunni, Southern Baptist or Irish Catholic. Regarding racism and fear, it is difficult to to understand what you fear and do not trust. It is difficult to trust a culture which recruits people to kill innocents in the name of religion. This applies to Crusaders and to Jihadists. While I do not live in Europe, as a human I find it difficult to trust someone who believes I am worthy of death alone simply because I do not believe in their religion. It has nothing to do with arrogance, it has everything to do with survival. I do not know European history well but, as I remember, Islam ruled a great part of the European continent at one time. Perhaps the study of your relationships should start with that more recent experience than with the Crusades.

You're concerned that no muslim protested against Iraq occupation? Where are those "moderate" muslims that should have protested against 9/11 or attacks in London? I have seen NONE. On the contrary I saw them cheering and being happy. Shame on you for protecting your own kind rather than opening their mind to love and compassion. Obviously, this message will be censored. Good day

PRH, holding up Muslim "colonialsim" from the 8th century to dismiss present day Muslims feeling of outrage over modern colonialism is huge stretch. Do you also then think that French disdain for things Anglophone are justified because they lost the battle of Agincourt in 1415? But as far as your other point why should Muslim feel any more embarrased by beheadings, kidnappings, etc than the US at Abu Gharib, Guantanamo bay and the invasion of Iraq to get at Sadams "Nuclear Arsenal". DId you go out in street to protest the US use of torture? Here in the US there seems to be a total lack of awarness of how the world perceives us. And these negative perceptions are increasingly having an impact in the US both in terms of the economy and international influence. Could you hav imagined 10 years ago that Latin America would b rejecting the US en masse as it is today?

“Today's Europe maintains a "ghetto" agenda, a program of ethnic cleansing, and a program to purge Muslims from the continent to protect Christian and Western values.” Europeans have the right to protect their values just as much as Moslems have the right to protect theirs in their own country. To claim otherwise is an example of the grossest cultural insensitivity that could be exhibited on your part. “Europe has no right to want to cleanse itself of immigrants (the vast majority of whom are Muslim), because Europe itself wanted these immigrants for their cheap labor” To the grossest cultural insensitivity, you may add the grossest ingratitude. From the European perspective the settlement of Moslem immigrants in Europe was an act of charity. Un-like in the Ghettoes of the middle ages and WWII, Moslems immigrants are free to leave Europe, if they wish. As it is, Europe offers them a better life-style than their own country. For that they, and you should be grateful. “The West has no moral right to lecture others about democratic values, about freedom or humanism, without first re-paying the injustice, the torture and the theft it conducted in Islamic countries, in Africa and the Far East, for hundreds of years.” Moslem countries did the same when ever, and where ever they could. The Turkish Empire was built on bloody conquest of parts of Europe, the Near East, and parts of Africa. There is no need to re-fight old wars. At the same time, there is no Moslem country anywhere in the world where human rights are fully respected. “When was the last time Muslims demonstrated in an Arab capital against the American occupation of Iraq? “ Moslems in Arab countries are reluctant to demonstrate against US occupation of Iraq, because they understand that if the US were to leave, a bloody civil war would follow. US soldiers are dying in Iraq today to prevent Sunnis and Shiites from killing each other. You may add this to the examples of gross ingratitude. “Who was the last Muslim anywhere to oppose Israeli and American assassinations?” Those would be the Moslems terrorists that may strike anywhere in the world today. They are the ones represented by the man in the turban with the fuse sticking out of his head, in case you missed the point. That’s how Moslems are being perceived, like it or not. If you think that the image is unfair, think of some other ones of Moslem design. Children with plastic guns, babies with plastic suicide belts, signs that say “Death to the Infidel”. To non-Moslems, they all carry the same message. “We are a peaceful people. If you don’t agree, we will come and kill you.” Israel, in case you have not noticed in a state of war, as declared by the Palestinians, and their allies. In war, the killing of enemy soldiers is not called “assassination”. Deliberate targeting of civilians on the other hand (as done by the terrorists) is called an atrocity. Perhaps the exercise of humility, in place of arrogance such as yours, as Muhammad has taught, may change Europe's perception of Islam.

How about Cyprus, John? Recent enough? Want to study attitudes of Greeks or Bulgarians towards Muslims? Both were occupied by Ottomans for centuries. Then look at the Balkans. Why do you think, the fighting was so bitter in Bosnia? You may also wish to talk to Armenians. Armenians may not be exactly traditional Europeans, but Turkey is a European country (after all they want to join EU.) The Muslim conquest of Europe was checked only at the gates of Vienna and now Islam is simply continuing what they were doing continuously ever since they burst out of Arabia. Talking of colonialism? Islam is an expression of an Arab religious and cultural colonialism par excellence. It destroyed indigenous culture along with religion, requiring that all Muslims bow towards Arabia. You see, when a Jew prays towards Jerusalem, that is towards the ancient homeland, but when the Malaysian or Pakistani bows towards Mecca, he accepts Arab supremacy. Same for an American Muslim convert – that’s why he is encouraged to go to Yemen to find a bride and learn Arabic and immerse himself in the Arabic culture.

you are dearly wrong. Many moderate Muslims protested the London bombings, and 9/11th. But of course, you only see what you would like to see, and your corrupt media (no free BS talk, let's be clear) only shows bad muslims. They cherrypick them to put them on TV. You know if there was 1.4 Billion terrorist on the planet what would happen? but muslims are not terrorist, few of them are. Christians and Jews hands are drenched in a lot more blood than Muslims. Read numbers of death by both in the last 20 years, i won't go back further than that! if i do, the west will be really really in an embarassing position.

Get a life fool. You are the one with blinkers on, your muslim history says it all so don't try to push the blame on everyone else on the planet. You believe the lies till it becomes the truth to you. I feel sorry for you.

Dear Ala, I am Muslim. Your opinion and views expressed have made most heartening reading. I have been living in 'modern', 'liberal' , 'multi-cultural' Australia for a few years and not one day goes by without my being reminded of my heathen-ness by what I consider a largely ignorant population. I have lived many years in Saudi Arabia, yet I cannot claim that they are as intolerant as the West. From an Indian Muslim perspective, the cartoons are not very different from the scorn and abuse that L N Mittal has to suffer in Europe. I express my solidarity with the Jewish people, and I say this because I would like you to know that I am as disgusted as your readers may be with this Holocaust stunt. I can understand the intentions of the Iranian paper, but they should show that they are better than the Danish people who have proven themselves as low as the Nazi propaganda machine. Regards, Najam

Like all revolutionist in History, Muslims are against the west's hegemoney, colonialism, and occupation. Blacks have done before, they fought against the west's arrogance and racism. it is not only muslims who hold contempt for the western colonialism and racism. Look at south americans, africans, and asian nations. Europe, and south american, with some exceptions, are thieves of these countries resources, occupiers, or biased. Here in UK, it is much better than many other countries. But still Blaire is a big liar. Anyway, watch how poor people win, and colonialism fall. Watch how justice prevails. Watch the american tyrrany fall slowly. It is corrupt and hollow from inside. Muslims are increasing everywhere because people realise how good this religion is. bye by ;D

There is no muslim who believe that any westerner is worth killing because he does not believe in the same religion. Who uttered this nonsesne ever? i even have not heard on the biased western media!! Do you people read books? Muslims are against occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. Muslims are against the Israeli arrogance and Occupation. Israeli's destruction machine fuelled by american weaponry!. Muslims are against the world's apartheid on nuclear technology, which is again a clear from of nation racism and feeling of false superiority. Muslims are against thieves of resources, nosiness in other people's affairs for ones interest. NOTHING IS WRONG WITH YOU BEING NON-MUSLIM, IT IS WITH YOU BEING UNJUST AND AGGRESSOR. wake up people!!

I completely agree that the US is the aggressor--mostly in an economic capacity (if not always with an economic motivation!). Having said that, I fail to see any convincing evidence that allowing a nation like Iran to acquire nuclear weapons will in any way pave a road to peace. Saber-rattling is not a trait reserved for America alone. Look around you. (I still hate Bush) I shudder to think what would happen if every theocracy on the planet had their trigger fingers poised on a nuclear weapon. In this instance, therefore, I'm quite prepared to live with a nuclear monopoly. While America and the West may indeed operate under a sense of "false superiority", this is a political tool, not an ethnic or religious one. Whereas, I see only a false religious superiority in the way that Muslim countries operate. If you're not Muslim, you're just...somehow...spiritually inferior. (I'm atheist, so I don't care either way, but I still abhor hypocracy). ...and yet, with all that has happened in just the last couple of weeks, it comes right back to Israel, doesn't it? Israel's claim to that land may be fraudulent--even criminal--but where would you have them go? Drop them all in the sea? Come on, time to grow up now. When does it stop being about what it can't be and start being about what it can be?

We would have not been in Afghanistan if those damn taliban muslims would have handed over the murdering scum from al qaeda . The muslims didnt seem to mind being free from Saddam in Iraq. Now the idiots can kill each othe with road side bombs. The muslims sects cant even get along with each other . How do you expect any other religion to think they can get along with these same people. Will never happen!!!

This guy Freedman has no Idea what democracy is ! Democratic values does not mean brain washing by immoral spoiled brats. Who think they have all wisdom. Treason is a crime. The Justices and legal system are criminal dictatorships . Daniel Friedman and his like do not allow intellectual freedom unless it is in their way of thinking. Morality does not exist. Democracy is cool but those who call for it know nothing more the name calling. And as the writer Media opinionate with out intellect.