Editorial: The Notorious Cartoon

It is difficult for westerns to understand the angry response of the Muslim community to the abusive caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed that were published in a Danish newspaper. This lack of understanding was reflected in the Danish prime minister's announcement, when he declared, "I don't know why all of this is happening." They do not know because they live without sacred doctrines, which is why they are astonished at how Muslims react to their holy symbols being violated. On the other hand, some of us may find it difficult to understand the relationship between the media and the governments in the west. This leads to the misunderstanding of the freedom that newspapers have in the west. Furious Muslims thought it was possible for the Danish government or any western government to prevent any newspapers from publishing certain articles. Muslims' reactions were reflected through their demonstrations, protests and denouncing the caricatures. They might make a claim against that newspaper, and they might win the case because there is a clause in European laws that allows for it. It is important to differentiate between having the right and the way we use it. I am completely with what the British journalist Robert Fisk wrote about this issue: "The fact is that Muslims live their religion. We do not. They have kept their faith through innumerable historical vicissitudes."