With all of the furor that is erupting over the depiction of the Prophet Mohammed in a Danish cartoon, I find it hard to believe that some westerners, namely East Coast Canadian professor Peter Marsh, think that exposure of the image is a basic right of free speech. Not only should you take it down from your office door, you should know better.
Considering the current global climate when it comes to religion and culture, the decision by some people to dismiss the obvious offense the publication of these images give to Muslims all over the world is shameful. Although violence is condemnable as a reaction, and it is something that I think should not be tolerated at all, I feel that the western world has made a shamefully lacklustre effort in showing that this kind of callousness and fundamental insensitivity is unacceptable. How are we to expect peace and the easing of tensions if we simply observe when circumstances call for us to react? It's ridiculous!
It's not news that any depcition of the Prophet Mohammed is prohibited. Why then, do something that purposefully provokes negative and violent reactions in an already hostile climate, and mask it with the veil of what we call "free speech". This is supremely stupid. A prime example that if we intend to move towards actual peace, we need to understand and think.
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