Mainstream British Muslims in counter-demo in cartoon row

[maddezmom]

LONDON (AFP) - Moderate Muslim groups in Britain said they will stage a rally in London this weekend to counter angry protests by extremist elements in the ongoing row over depictions of the Prophet Mohammed.

Inayat Bunglawala, from the Muslim Council of Britain, told AFP on Tuesday that the event on Saturday would be a peaceful rally to "refocus attention" on the original dispute about the cartoons that first appeared in a Danish newspaper last year.

Extremist Muslim groups staged a series of demonstrations last week outside the Danish embassy in London, chanting and bearing placards with slogans such as "Massacre Those Who Insult Islam" and "Europe, Your 9/11 Will Come".

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060207/wl_uk_afp/europeislammediabritain;_

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Glad to see this happening

Right now, Islam, in the eyes of the West at least, has been overrun by violent extremists. When people like that are shouting threats, it is very difficult for the voices of moderation to be heard.

[BoneDaddy]

2. This is the only way...

that islam will succed in the free world. They MUST show moderation and a move from extremism... Essentially the radical islamists are cutting their own throats by acting out over the cartoons the way they have. This is good to see.

[Igel]

3. I'd applaud them, but I can't.

They can't get their heads out from up their butts.

They insist on starting the chain of events one link too late, and insist on pretending that the Danish cartoons must be considered outside of any local context not approved by this group: the context can only be their perceptions of the cartoons as defined by their religion. This group should move one link earlier, and consider what in the Muslim community in Denmark provoked the cartoons, and what that says about Islam and the perception of Islam among some Danes: *that* would advance the respect given to Islam in the West, and show some understanding of the culture that they're in.

[alarcojon]

4. Religious sensitivity is important

Just because we have the freedom of speech to print something, it just makes common sense to hold off on publishing something that offends the basic religious tenets of much of the world. Of course, the violient protests, loss of life and damage to property are in no way justified, and must be countered by moderate voices.

Those moderate voices need to educate people of good will everywhere that depictions of the prophet are offensive to most Muslims - especially depictions of the prophet as a terrorist. And yes, they need to make a show to counter the overwhelming media depictions of Muslims as angry, violent extremists.

[Igel]

5. I agree.

I've seen many things that I found insensitive to my religious beliefs. But while I'd like to have seen deference to it, it would have meant a rather thorough-going revision of popular culture. What's the point of being tolerant if there's nothing to give offence--that is, nothing to tolerate? I was happy when friends displayed civility, but didn't demand compliance.

But if I knew that my fellow Xians (at the time when I considered myself to be a fairly good one) had led to others' being intimidated in the name of my religion, I'd have been royally pissed. Being offended nothing compared to being cast in the role of oppressor and limiter of rights, thank you. My religious beliefs are personal, not civic, for imposition on others.

My personal take on the Danish cartoons: Civility demanded that the newspaper not solicit or print the cartoons. But a civil respect for the illustrators' rights demanded that they not feel intimidated, and so feel a need to defend their rights. Civil rights outweigh civility, when push comes to shove. But by then, there's already such a lack of civility that the point's moot--especially when the situation's made public, and dialog is possible on the matter.

[alarcojon]

6. I agree with your take

Thanks for sharing. Obviously there is no pat answer to this dilemma.