Insult and Protest....

I hope news has reached the US about the 'Muhammad caricature conflict' that is dominating the news in Scandinavia.
It began with a Danish newspaper printing a series of cartoons of Muhammad that pertained to terrorist bombings etc. It was a foolish move and naturally there was a very strong reaction. In fact, stonger than they expected. Now Danish flags are flaming all over the Middle East.

Sweden, Norway, and the Danish government quickly began to make moves to distance themselves from the inflammatory Danish newspaper. It was a matter of free speech, but it was impossible for it not to rub off on the reputation of the rest of Scandanavia.
Thus, while Danish flags burn, Swedish Muslims have decided to stand up and make a statement as well, but in the name of peace and civility. They condemn both the violence and the inconsiderate action of printing images of Muhammad.

A few days ago while returning fromthe University I found the street cordonned off by police as a demonstration proceeded by chanting and waving banners.

The Mulsim demonstrators marched through the streets to Sergels Torg where they gathered to make their statements. I was impressed by the reasonable tone of the event that was so contrary to what the papers are portraying.

The message was simple and clear. The demonstrators supported the publisher's freedom of speech, but condemned the decision to print something so flagrantly offensive. Their purpose in demonstrating was to call attention to the offensive act and its violent response and use them as an examples of how we as a society need to conciously work towards greater respect and understanding.

After witnessing this event it is difficult to know how inflated news reports of violent intentions elsewhere really are, but here in Sweden, cooler heads prevail.