I agree! that the picture for us the muslims is very grim . But the western civilization would have to understand that the many parts of our world are deprived of the luxuries of the west . The radical thought gets encouraged when this gap widens . In my view the western civilization has evolved over a period of time after reddenning the mud of Europe for centuires for much petty issues than religion but once they did and learned the lesson they are progressive , So here we also try the same to encourage the progressive thought .

No one wants to hinder the freedom of speech but what happens that when such writings appear the radicals within Islam gets an opporunity to spew hatred and make their case strong and moderates get mowed down . I think with freedom comes responsibility . If we want peace in the world ; we need to find a solution . Now we see every day economies getting collapsed . Why! becuase the world is at an un-necessary war between civilizations . Billions have been spent on it . If we act responsible we could fight against radicalism on both sides of the fence. Without offence the heat is on both the sides .

Our religion teaches us to respect all the prophets before the Holy Prophet . We respect Moses , we respect Jesus not because we do a favor to anyone but that is what our religion teaches us . For us Holy Prophet is the last of all the lines of the prophets including Jesus and Moses and our respect is equally for all . We cannot imagine to be derigratory against anyone of them . We respect them as our own and so we ask for respect . It pains muslims when such un-necessary incidents happen . I hope , what the author is written is positive as she is committing like following in the footsteps of Karen Armstrong. There are so many western writers who have discussed Islam. Some I personally respect alot . Because they were intellect enought to approach even some sensitive issues within. I also wish she has done the same and managed to walk on the thin line b/w opinion and facts .

Friends , now if we all want to live in a peaceful world . We need to resolve our issues . I am sure there would be people trying to do the same on both sides of the fence . But our job on the muslim side of the fence becomes difficult when such issues occur. Like some one said we are 1.5 Billion . and 99.99% are peaceful . Some of them have gone extreme but with only responsible behavior a target of 100% could be achieved .

This is my personal opinion. If YOU do not incite the first blow, in other words, if you just stop these attempts to blaspheme against Islam (as interpreted by Islam, for which full disclosures can be obtained upon request from scholars) then your right to freedom of speech will not be hampered by the threats from Muslims who obviously feel violated from such an unprovoked attack by certain individuals from the West.

Muslims are not going round to western countries and telling them that you cannot have this freedom of speech, but you are simply inciting the type of response from them, which can be interpreted as been to restrict freedom of speech by the West. This is a perpetual cycle that only encourages hatred and fear from both sides, yes both sides.

Because nobody from the Muslims is objecting your freedom of speech from the start, you should not be inciting the Muslims in the first place and then hide behind the banner of defending freedom of speech. This is in fact a cowardly act by the initial inciter, because let’s face it; Muslims will object to this type of behaviour from all spectrums, from the very moderate, to the highly observing individuals. And if you in fact incite the Muslims at bit too much, then you will get a reaction from them that has the potential of it being devastating, and I am not saying this as a threat, I am truly concerned that people from amongst the non-Muslim community just do not understand the reverence Muslims have towards our Islamic personalities. For example, we love our Prophet (p) more than ourselves and our parents. And we are mandated to defend his honour, at all cost. This is actually an order of faith, so we will have people who will use this Islamic mandate to fulfil their obligations upon their faith. Do see how deadly this situation can go? Has it got all the correct ingredients for civil unrest? You be the judge of that. Have we forgotten the cartoon controversy? Even Muslims countries, which are supposed allies of the West, had started to boycott Danish products, then one country’s foreign minister said that if a Muslim was to commit suicide bombing to defend the honour of prophet Muhammad (p) then that would, in his eyes be justified. Can you get even more blatant than that?

So we can see how this entire scenario can be played out, how did it start? Let’s go back, it began with a person who wanted to be famous, incited Muslims, then brought about the idea that freedom of speech was being under attack from “freedom hating people” ... and you know the rest.

Question, would someone be as bold enough to publish books denying the holocaust? Or defaming the Star of David? Thought not.

http://www.depers.nl/buitenland/250156/Crisis-bewijst-zege-moslims.html