On cartoons and freedom

The dispute over the cartoon of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is pointless. Its a quarell over two very distinctively different cultures; the West and the Muslim community. Its hard to settle a fight over two people with very different mindsets.

To the West, freedom of speech is important. Denmark has every right to say what they want, as so do any other countries. But I'd tell them; we live in a world with different religion and culture - please be more sensitive. To the Muslims, characterising the Prophet is a VERY sensitive issue, especially if it is associated negatively. The West, especially Europe is a very well civilised and mature community; Wouldn't it be a civilised thing to do to at least 'respect' other people's feelings?

Freedom of speech should never be abused for being overly offensive. I have several German friends, but I'd never tell them that they're a bunch of Nazis, even if I had the freedom to do so, because I know they might be hurt or even worse, hostile towards it. Freedom is a good thing, but freedom must have limits. Why do you think every country in the world has traffic lights? Because everyone knows, giving too much freedom on the road will cause chaos, un-organisation, which may result in accidents and people getting killed. Humans naturally have interest in something bizarre and disastrous. Humans need a considerable amount of control and discipline. Humans naturally gravitates toward sin like a moth gravitates towards light. That's the reason why religion was brought to us in the first place. That's why we create laws and courts. We need a cap on our freedom so we don't naturally abuse freedom.

The muslim community, could have settled this dispute peacefully. Islam teaches to follow law and order of the host country you live in. I wish there weren't any bombings and killings. The Muslims are angry because the West jokes about their Prophet being a terrorist, and Muslims defend that by saying Islam is a religion of peace. By responding violently, it defies everything about Islam being a peaceful religion. Now the West will not only think the Muslims are a bunch of terrorists, but also a bunch of hypocrites. These bombings should stop. The muslims should step back and re-think about things, because obviously all this terror is not going anywhere, but in fact making things worst. There will always be a provocation to stir emotions, and everytime the Muslim responds violantly, they loose, because that's what the provocator wants in the first place. Muslims should start using their brains, instead of their emotions.
The Prophet used his brain by using negotiations in Treaty of Hudaibiyah, and it turned out a success. This cartoon isn't the first time the Prophet is smudged. During his time, he was called an evil sourceror, a mad man, and many other offensive remarks, but the Prophet didn't retaliate in violence. He used his brain. That's exactly what Muslims should do today, especially in this modern era.

I think the violence, killings and anger isn't just about the cartoon. I think its about the pervasive victimisation of the Muslim world, by the West's imperial past. The cartoon was just a trigger for thousands of years of aching hearts.

Until both sides can be more sensitive towards each other, we will never live peacefully. I think we never will, and that idea disgusts me.