Joen's has written about the fiasco with the illustration of the Prophet Mohammad, since he's Danish the topic is obviously closer to him than others out there. I actually had to sit back and think about this for a while before jumping and offering how I view this topic. I rarely delve into the religious on the Kode; I pertain to the fact that there's a time and a place for these things and in all honesty I don't think I'm well versed enough in this area to rant and rave about it. So I'll try an offer an explanation of why the Muslims around the world are reacting in such a way.

To cut a long story short a Danish newspaper decided to publish 12 illustrations that depict the Prophet. So you say to me, who gives a shit? Didn't they make movies about Jesus, several times, and he's meant to be God, surely the Prophet and what some artist thinks he looks like 1800 years after the fact shouldn't really matter (one difference between Christianity and Islam, I'll get into this a little further down, is that there is no iconography in Islam). I guess that's what the Danish newspapers thought as well, which is where their naivety of the situation and even complete disregard for someone's beliefs comes to light. You see if you knew anything about the religion you wouldn't have published those pictures. Not because anyone is telling you not to. This isn't a question of Free Speech. This is a question of understanding and acting in a responsible manner in a way it's also about respect. If they honestly didn't think that this would get a reaction then I'm completely baffled as to why they wanted to publish these illustrations in the first place.

In order to explain this point of view I'm going to try and explain the reason I believe that the Prophet should not be depicted in images. Islam has got a great deal in common with Christianity. In fact if you're Muslim you have to believe in Christianity. There are however some fundamental differences. The main one is the fact that Muslims don't believe that Jesus Christ is the incarnation of God, rather he was also a Prophet of God. That's where things differ effectively, the fact that God is neither born nor does he give birth, therefore he doesn't have a son, and Mohammad is his Messenger.

See that's the very important aspect of this entire situation. When Islam came to be people were still worshiping statues and pagan religions where still practiced extensively. So it was the duty of the early converts to spread the message. Nothing can take anything away from the Message. Mohammad made sure that this was the case, going to so far as recording his faults as well. After all he was human.

This isn't about self censorship, it's about conveying your thoughts in a respectful manner. In a considerate manner. That is how you enlighten people. That is how you open their eyes to what you' re trying to do and say. Did they not think why a movie like The Message (chronicles the birth of Islam) never showed the Prophet? What did they think they were being clever? Cutting edge?

Many people don't realise this but the Koran is not merely the 'Muslim's Bible'. It's our miracle. It's what we have to place our faith in. There's a reason why it's called faith. Every heavenly religion has got a miracle. Jesus performed many miracles, Moses parted the sea, you get the picture. So what is Islam's miracle? It's a book, that effectively is the word of God. That is what you have to believe, that's where you make your leap of faith. You have to believe that angels came down to an illiterate man in his 40s and told him to read and write there and then. So the written word in Islam is a supreme thing. The Arabic language is what the message is convey in. Ever wonder why all those Middle Eastern buildings and Mosques had loads of writing on them? Koranic verses to spread the message.

So why get so pissed off about drawings? The only reason I can think of to be honest is because people are fundamentally lazy and dumb. It's a sad thing, but it's ultimately true. People will see something and forever imagine it in that way. There is no way that anyone can actually tell what Mohammad or Jesus or whomever looked like. By drawing something you're effectively stamping it in people's minds. You're taking something away from the Message. This is not about Mohammad. It never was and hopefully it never will be. If a fuss wasn't made for these illustrations we'd be going to watch "Brad Pitt is the Prophet Mo".

I'm not saying the Danish newspaper didn't have the right to publish those illustrations. Not saying that at all; however doing something that is effectively disrespectful to the practitioners of the faith is obviously going to illicit some form of reaction. In this case it's anger. It's to be expected and they should have had the forethought before running the pictures. Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you have to.

As to the reactions this has had, well to be honest that's just embarrassing. Burning the Danish flag is just retarded; all the Danes I've met have been FAR too nice, in every sense of the word. Unfortunately ignorance leads to people acting in really stupid ways. You have to direct your anger at someone or something. So the question is if Muslims are not allowed to depict the Prophet, should those that don't believe care? Not really no. But if you're inclined to talk about a topic, make sure to do your research. Learn about it. Try and understand and respect someone's belief. If you've chosen to believe in Darwin's theory, good for you, that however doesn't give you the license to disrespect someone else's beliefs. In my mind that's wrong.

I'll interject in here and say I'm not very religious. My practice of the faith effectively lies in the fundamentals. Be nice and civil to one another. Treat others how you would want to be treated. Never accept injustice, both to yourself and to others around you, stay clean, don't pig out just because you can. Little things. I will fast during Ramadan (read the last paragraph) because I think it's a great idea and something that I think many people should do because they will gain more than they give. I don't pray and I enjoy a glass of wine every once in a while. My point is I'm not an expert and maybe not the right person to talk about this, these are my thoughts and opinions and I'm always open to yours.