I was listening to the radio on my drive to work and there was a story on about the increasing violence and protest surrounding the publication of the cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad in unflattering and negative ways. The protesting and rioting has led to death and now unofficial economic sanctions against Denmark by Arabic countries (Saudi Arabia and Kuwait so far).

Throughout history predominate religious figures have been the base of ridicule and insult - it still happens today. Look at the work of people like Andres Serrano who created “artwork” called “Piss Christ” which features Jesus on a crucifix submerged in the artist’s urine; it’s caused outrage among Christian groups, but to my knowledge (and research) no riots or death.

Every day there are examples of such reaction by extremist Islamic groups - which (I imagine) paints a very negative picture of Muslims in the minds of non-Muslims. I think this must especially be the case in the world’s mind with this example because Denmark has traditionally been such an open and “anything goes” society.

When I contrast such world-events and outcry of “Muslims” against my own experience with yourself, I see a different side of Islam. But it seems that the side of Islam that is promoted by Muslims such as yourself (peace, tolerance, the free pursuit of religion) is drowned out in the world at large.

I’m curious what your thoughts are on the extreme level of violence in the protests over this cartoon? Why do you think it’s turned from a public outcry by the Muslim world into economic sanctions and rioting? I was curious what your opinion was of this row over the cartoon and how Islam is perceived in general in the world? What do you see is the end-result of Islamic countries seeming working hard to polarize themselves from all of the rest of the world?

I hope none of the above is offensive; I’m just curious about your perspective. It seems that everything has become polarized in the last few years - republican vs. democrat, gay vs. straight, theism vs. secularism, etc.