If ever there was a case in which the pen is mightier than the sword, this is it. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060202/ap_on_re_mi_ea/prophet_drawings
The Muslim world has been worked into a frenzy over a caraciture of the prophet Muhammed wearing a turban shaped like a bomb. Some are mad because, as I understand it, it is against Muslim law to draw Muhammad, as it could lead to idolatry, taking some of the focus off Allah. Others object to the simple implication of kinship of Muhammad and terrorism. Still, others just think it's a bad likeness and think the artist should find another day job.
Seriously, though, this issue seems to be catalyzing the entire religion. All around the world, Muslims are protesting this issue in front of European Union facilities. At least for today, this unity and concord of voices from the Muslim world seems like more of a threat than the current issues in Iran and Israel.
The editor of the paper who allowed the cartoon to be printed was summarily fired for the gaff. The Muslim world and Islamic agencies are calling for a public apology from the newspaper. If ever there was a time that Muslims didn't need further reason to hate the West, this is it. I'm no expert, but the issues throughout the Middle East seem to be building to a head. Now, whether that should change anything in our foreign policy with the Middle East, I don't know. I do know that we are setting up a delicate situation with Iraq still in chaos, Iran being petulant about their nuclear status, Pakistan pissed because we did an unsanctioned bombing on their soil(and didn't even get the guy we were targeting), and Israel in the political hands of a supremely capable terrorist group.
As much as I have railed against Bush, and personally think he's one of the worst things to happen to this country in some time, I do not envy his position right now. His decisions regarding Iraq aside, he may be forced to make some difficult foreign policy decisions in the coming months that could make or break this rock we call Earth. Me, I'm gonna cross my fingers and hope he makes the right ones, not for his legacy, but for his people.
The Muslim world has been worked into a frenzy over a caraciture of the prophet Muhammed wearing a turban shaped like a bomb. Some are mad because, as I understand it, it is against Muslim law to draw Muhammad, as it could lead to idolatry, taking some of the focus off Allah. Others object to the simple implication of kinship of Muhammad and terrorism. Still, others just think it's a bad likeness and think the artist should find another day job.
Seriously, though, this issue seems to be catalyzing the entire religion. All around the world, Muslims are protesting this issue in front of European Union facilities. At least for today, this unity and concord of voices from the Muslim world seems like more of a threat than the current issues in Iran and Israel.
The editor of the paper who allowed the cartoon to be printed was summarily fired for the gaff. The Muslim world and Islamic agencies are calling for a public apology from the newspaper. If ever there was a time that Muslims didn't need further reason to hate the West, this is it. I'm no expert, but the issues throughout the Middle East seem to be building to a head. Now, whether that should change anything in our foreign policy with the Middle East, I don't know. I do know that we are setting up a delicate situation with Iraq still in chaos, Iran being petulant about their nuclear status, Pakistan pissed because we did an unsanctioned bombing on their soil(and didn't even get the guy we were targeting), and Israel in the political hands of a supremely capable terrorist group.
As much as I have railed against Bush, and personally think he's one of the worst things to happen to this country in some time, I do not envy his position right now. His decisions regarding Iraq aside, he may be forced to make some difficult foreign policy decisions in the coming months that could make or break this rock we call Earth. Me, I'm gonna cross my fingers and hope he makes the right ones, not for his legacy, but for his people.
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