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Free Speech should not be restricted.

March 15th 2006

Newspapers around the world should publish the forbidden cartoons of ProphetMuhammad which are considered 'blasphemous'. Muslims should judge the images

themselves. If they don't like it they might sue the publishing house or stop buying the

newspaper. The publishing community and the Muslim population have a right to theirown opinion. Both parties are entitled to do as they wish as long as they don't hamper

each other or the society.

The cartoons first published in an independent Danish newspaper in September 2005. In

the following months some European newspapers reprinted them leading to violent

protests throughout the Muslim world. Muslims began discarding Danish goods in theirrespective countries, Danish embassies were forced to shut down and Danish nationalswere harmed. Larger news agencies have not aired the images for the sake of peace.

Many people did not get to see the images and did not have a chance to judge for

themselves what they thought of the images. Freedom of speech and expression allowseveryone to have an opinion. Muslim should have the same freedom as everyone else to

debate, criticize and challenge their religion. They cannot be treated like special groups

who need special protection. Many are upset and hurt, but that is the point of living in afree society. The protesters should be tolerant enough to accept mere humor. They should

express their views peacefully. In Denmark, there are counter demonstrations by

moderate Muslims saying they don't want the images banned. The counter

demonstrations are conducted in a more peaceful fashion. Peace might not be an effectiveway to express ones views but it is the honest alternative.

It would not have been such an issue if it were pictures of Jesus Christ or a differentcultural or religious leader from the west. Due to the liberal thinking of most of the

westerners such protests and riots will be avoided. In the past there have been

blasphemous claims about Jesus Christ being involved with a woman and havingchildren. The Christians though shocked never reacted violently. There are 33%

Christians and 20% Muslims (as the CIA files show) out of the world's population. Had

the Christians participated in violent protests there would be more number of casualties.

Recently an heir to the throne of England dressed up as a Nazi in a party. The British

people were least bothered by this joke. Caricature is considered normal in manycultures. There have been numerous cartoons of Politicians, Kings, Presidents, Prime

ministers and other socially important characters. It would not be a joke unless a group ofpeople don't get hurt and another group doesn't laugh at them.

Its ironic the Muslims riot about limits to free speech when some of their devoteesslaughter human beings in video without mercy. Support for the prophet should be

expressed by carrying out his teachings and keeping away from the things he forbids. The

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cartoon in which the Prophet is trying to stop the suicide bombers entering the afterlife

because they have rum out of virgins have a kind of moral and political message. Free

speech today has helped uncover many conspiracies of the past. Today tyrants have beenidentified, and governments fear lying to their citizens. People despise being lied to more

than they hate being made fun of. Free speech has helped democracy run in the way it

must "by the people and for the people".

Submitted by: Abhimanyu Mani Acharya Dixit