In the beginning of February, a major Danish newspaper printed cartoons editorializing the religion of Islam. The cartoons depicted Mohammad, the prophet of Islam, in various forms, including with a bomb as his turban.
According to the traditions of the religion, any depiction of Mohammad, even one meant for praise, is highly offensive. These cartoons incited international outcry among Muslims, ranging from peaceful protests to the burning of Danish flags and embassies around the world.
A French newspaper decided to reprint the cartoons, causing a second wave of hostility. The violent protesters turned their fires onto French embassies.
Tamkeen Farooq, a first-year College student who is also a member of the Muslim Student Association, said the cartoons are offensive, but she does not condone the violence.
"It is offensive as a Muslim just to be targeted as the butt of any joke," Farooq said. "It saddens me and it's tragic that it's one thing after another."
Another of Farooq's concerns stemming from the cartoons was how the violent protesters were giving the world the wrong impression of Islam.
"It's the same minority that comes out every time," Farooq said. "In actuality, the true message of Islam is, and always will be, about peace."
Chris Alexander, a first-year Engineering student, said he thinks the protesting extremists are overreacting.
"Personally, I don't think the cartoons are that big of a deal," Alexander said. "The extremists are blowing it way out of perspective."
First-year College student Franny McNeive said the violent protesters are simply confirming the derogatory stereotype.
"The whole point of the cartoons was to comment on the stereotype of Muslims being violent," McNeive said. "From their perspective, if that's what everyone thinks of them, why would they continue to fulfill that?"
President Bush has publicly denounced the violence the cartoons have incited, but he has not condemned the cartoons themselves in fear of encroaching upon freedom of speech and freedom of the press.
Because the cartoons are offensive to a minority group, Farooq said she wonders why Bush has not yet denounced the cartoons.
"Bush presents himself as a moral leader," Farooq said. "He's not afraid to talk about morals or ethics for the greater good, but he's still being hesitant to condemn the cartoons."
Though the extent of the rights of freedom of speech and press is touchy, McNeive said she feels that, in this instance, Denmark overstepped the rights.
"We have to use the rights responsibly," McNeive said. "I think free speech is very important, but in this case, it's clearly not being used responsibly."
Farooq said she agreed there is a fine line between freedom of speech and offensive speech.
"It's one thing to offend someone's opinions," Farooq said. "But it's another thing when one group is targeted and persecuted. For instance, no one in their right mind would make a swastika against Jews because everyone knows it's offensive."
Alexander, on the other hand, said Bush is working within the constraints of the U.S. Constitution.
"According to the Constitution, free speech is limited only by a few things, such as obscenity," Alexander said. "The cartoons are not obscenity."
Farooq also noted that the media is instrumental in conveying the wrong impression of Muslims to the world.
"The media doesn't know the core values of Islam," Farooq said. "The public is very misconstrued by the present image, and everyone relates Islam to extremism."
In Farooq's opinion, peaceful protests would bring about more change than aggression.
"Certainly there is outrage, but it doesn't justify hurting others or inflicting pain," Farooq said. "There are other means to accomplish peace that will accomplish more rather than inflaming situations."
This cartoon controversy seems to have inspired other nations as, on Feb. 7, Iran's largest newspaper announced an international competition for Holocaust cartoons.
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