The Clash of Caricatures

The publication of cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten and the ensuing violent protests in the Middle East are proof to many Europeans that a clash of civilizations between Islam and the West is upon usa clear-cut case of where the freedom of the press rubs against unreasonable fundamentalism. Politicians of all stripes throughout Europe, including myself, agree that the freedom to express ones opinion is among the founding principles of democracy, and that there should be no limitations on this inalienable right. However, deferring to democratic freedoms is not sufficient means to solve this escalating conflict.

Basic rights are one thing, but the responsibilities that come with them are another. On that front, Jyllands-Postens explanation for publishing the drawingsa critique of the medias supposed self-censorship of Islamic issues in Denmarkis disingenuous. The newspaper, in fact, is known to support the Danish right-wing political party Dansk Folkeparti. And it speaks volumes that in 2003 the paper was not willing to print caricatures of Jesus because it would have insulted its readers. Jyllands-Posten had only one intention in mind when it published the cartoons: provocation. And it worked.

However, what is currently happening in parts of the Muslim world is hardly a spontaneous popular uprising spurred by provocation. The reaction is too orchestrated and too dated; after all, the cartoons were first published last September. For Islamic fundamentalists, the issue is not really about their religious beliefs being insulted. Rather, it is about power and political interests, not a clash of civilizations. Portraying the Islamophobic West as the enemy conveniently distracts attention away from other internal problems, just as does the ever-convenient anti-Israel, anti-Semitic rhetoric espoused by radical imams. If Israel, or the West, is to blame for everything, then the radicals do not carry any responsibility for failures in their own communities. It is also hard to take the fundamentalists complaints of religious disrespect seriously, considering that they applaud cartoons that portray Israel and Jews in the worst possible light.

So, then, what can be done to diffuse such tensions? Some have suggested that there is a need for new press regulations, such as the voluntary media code of conduct suggested by European Union (EU) Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini. That is not necessary. The ones we have already suffice. We do, however, need a broad, public debate about the limits of good taste and respect for religious convictions. That must include European politiciansand journalistsrecognizing the sensibilities of Europes multicultural societies.

A close dialogue with Europes religious minorities can act as an early warning system inside and outside our borders. This vehicle for intercultural mediation is used far too infrequently. Shortly after the initial publication of the cartoons, the ambassadors of several Muslim countries requested a meeting with Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen. Rasmussen, noting the anger of his own Muslims, should have accepted the meeting instead of only referring to the freedom of the presss infallibility. A meeting wouldnt in any way have threatened the freedom of expression and press rights. Indeed, the prime minister could have used the occasion to explain why he couldnt censor Jyllands-Posten, even though he found the images offensive.

The European politicians who focus on violent overreactions abroad should note the peaceful reactions of the estimated 15 million Muslims here in Europe. After all, embassies are being attacked in Damascus, not Berlin. I am thinking in particular of certain German politicians who, since 9/11, have viewed Muslims primarily as a security risk and keep coming up with new ways to raise the bar on naturalization. In my home state of Baden-Wrttemberg this year, the conservative government introduced a new citizenship questionnaire to test the loyalty of Muslim applicants. Among the queries: Do you think that forced marriages are consistent with human dignity? and Some people accuse the Jews of being responsible for all thats bad in the world and even go so far as to blame them for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in New York. What do you think of such accusations?

Instead of humiliating Muslims and showing prejudice against Islam, a better approach is to strengthen the hand of moderate Muslims. Beyond soft diplomacy, the best way would be to support Turkey in its bid to join the EU. Many would regard such a step to be imprudent. But as a democratic and Muslim country, Turkey can play a special role. The Turks too have reacted in a level-headed manner to the current controversy. The Turkish government has made it clear that it sees no contradiction between the freedom of opinion and the respect of religious values. Turkey may still have a lot of catching up to do when it comes to freedom of expression, but it is already proving to the worldand particularly to Europeansthat Islam and free speech are not mutually exclusive. By bringing Turkey into closer dialogue, Europe can bridge the divide between the Western and Muslim worlds.