The publication of Prophet Muhammad's (SM) cartoon in a Danish newspaper and followed by newspaper of other countries seems to be a calculated step, knowing perfectly well that it will be condemned by the Muslims all over the world and there was bound to be violent demonstrations protesting this heinous deed. So, it is quite clear that they have done it on purpose to portray the Muslims as extremists.

No picture of Prophet Muhammad (SM) has ever been published, it is quite natural that these cartoons will deeply outrage the Muslims and they will protest vehemently. We do not understand why the Danish government and the government of other countries are not seeking apology; their adamant attitude is really deplorable.

Nur Jahan, Chittagong * * *

I strongly condemn from the core of my heart the publication of blasphemous cartoons of

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in a Danish newspaper and also in some other European countries. This reprehensible publication has triggered protests in the entire Muslim world. Yes, it is a bit disappointing to see some protests going violent, thus leading to loss of lifes and property. But still I do not support the notion of remaining silent and not protesting.

A few writers in this column have suggested that Muslims should have remained silent instead of getting violent and cited some verses from the Holy Quran where Allah advocated His Messenger to show patience and forgiveness in the face of adversity. Allah asked His Messenger to show such forgiveness when hostilities were directed personally to him. But the Danish newspaper, by putting a bomb over his turban, has portrayed the Prophet as a terrorist and has thereby suggested that he preached terrorism. This is therefore insulting to the entire Muslim community

since it has implied that each and every Muslim is actually a terrorist.

When the sentiments and rights of the entire Muslim community are concerned, there is no point remaining silent but to protest as Hazrat Hussein did at Karbala. But of course we should not turn violent. There is a Hadith which says that, “A first-class Muslim is that person who, when he sees any injustice, stops it by getting involved physically. A second-class Muslim verbally protests such injustice while a third-class Muslim only abhors it from his heart.” So, simply remaining silent relegates us to below third-class, which implies there is no real faith in us.

So, it is always better to live as second-class Muslims rather than third-class or even below that. I ask all my fellow Muslim brothers and sisters to boycott all Danish products till the Danish government formally apologises for the misdeeds committed in the name of free

speech by a Danish newspaper and enact laws to punish those who hurt the religious sentiments of others. That will appease the Muslims and pave the way for peace and harmony among peoples of all religions.

Sameer Ahmed Khan Mojlish Dhanmondi, Dhaka

* * *

Tens of thousand of people throughout the Muslim world have staged protests and

torched three embassies in the name of protest of cartoons of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). In addition, at least 20 or more people have died during rioting.

The European leaders and politicians, however, as a matter of free speech, defended the newspapers' right to publish the blasphemous images. Many of the western leaders and editors told that freedom of speech is essential, and it doesn't mean

they are in favour of disrespect. But doesn't it only give the illusion of freedom?

Some people say that the press can say whatever it wants. But does somebody dare write anything about the Holocaust? Is that freedom of speech? The media in the world should consider adopting a voluntary code of conduct to avoid any blasphemous publication to seek a model of living together that would avoid radi-calisation. The mainstream Muslim community worldwide is somehow happy with the West, but there are signs of revulsion after publication of the blasphemous cartoons of their Prophet.

On the whole, so far I know, people in the European or Western countries are tolerant of religion, but there is continual misunderstanding about Islam throughout the Western world, nowadays. There is a lot of bad propaganda about Muslims, that they are all terrorists, that there is no way to talk to them, etc. As a result, Muslims and

non-Muslims around the world begin to feel a little apprehensive of one another. The artists who drew the cartoons might have chosen to express their freedom of speech, but failed to depict anything other than an ignorant stereotype.

Sirajul Islam

Shyamoli, Dhaka

* * *

Idle brain is devil's workshop that is what can be said about the cartoonist. In Bangla there is a saying that the Satan's job is "Gur Lagano" to stick molasses, rest of the work i.e. the fighting part is done by the human beings and the Satan enjoys if from afar. Whosoever has done it, he did it knowingly and enjoying his success with a wide grin in his face.

I am sure except for very few no one would like to see that cartoon, leave aside making any meaning of it. Then how the Muslims, who are offended should react? Should the Muslims fall into the trap of the Satan to make him winner? Or

should they react sensibly and show restraint under such provocation? There are many cohorts -- Salman Rushdie and Taslima Nasrin to name a few whom we know. They could not do any harm to the Muslims and will take appropriate place in history and I am sure anybody hurting some one's or a group's sentiment will be paid back in his own coin. So don't worry.

The picture we paint about the west is high morale, civilization at its peak and champion of democracy.

To this a Muslim should just say, "Thank you Mr. West, we do not need the kind of civilization that you portray, please keep it with you".

Commodore AMA Alam (Retd.) BN

New DOHS, Dhaka