Drawing their own conclusions

Re “Anger Over Cartoons of Muhammad Escalates,” Feb. 3

As a screenwriter and former journalist, I cherish the right to free speech, even obnoxious speech. I am also a practicing Muslim who found the Danish cartoons of the prophet Muhammad despicable and stupid. I believe every newspaper has the right to publish controversial material. But the intent behind publishing these cartoons is to incite hatred for a religion of 1.5 billion people. Nothing is gained by insulting Muhammad, the hero of about a quarter of humanity, except to foment a clash of civilizations. Many in the Muslim world believe that the war on terror is really a war on Islam. With the publication of these idiotic cartoons, they appear to have been proved right.

KAMRAN PASHA

Los Angeles

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I deeply sympathize with those in the Muslim world who are outraged by the publication of caricatures portraying Muhammad as a terrorist. But terrorists masquerading as Muslims have done far more to denigrate the image of their great prophet than any cartoonist. I would only ask that Muslims be half as vocal in denouncing those who cast a negative shadow on a disproportionately wide spectrum of the Muslim population and who give satirists in Denmark material to work with in the first place.

RON OVADIA

Irvine

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I cannot help but contrast the present furor over the “insulting” Danish cartoons with the tempests of a few years ago when certain artists publicly presented “works” portraying a crucifix dipped in urine, or the Virgin Mary decorated with feces. Now, the offending image of Muhammad cannot be even seen and ergo assessed in the media: “CNN has chosen to not show the cartoons out of respect for Islam,” says CNN’s website.

European talking heads gravely intone about the need to balance a free press with respect for religion. What’s quite obvious is that respect for religion varies widely depending on which religion is being caricatured.

ERIC CARLSON

San Francisco

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I was saddened to read in your Feb. 3 editorial that you are opposed to European leaders “apologizing for one of the core freedoms of a democratic society.”

No leader has disputed the right to publish the cartoons. Some have condemned the publication as in bad taste and unnecessarily offensive. The apologies are for the offense caused, not for freedom of expression. No one has suggested that any action be taken against the newspapers.

If we are to live together in a multicultural world, mutual respect and understanding is essential.

STANLEY CROSSICK

Founding Chairman

European Policy Centre

Brussels