Danish Cartoon Protests
As a number of our authors are actually in region or have ties to it, 'Aqoul has been closely following the Danish cartoon controversy and its impact in MENA:
Complete utter nonsense: "Offended by Cartoons" Muslim Pinheads Boycott the Danes
Lounsbury issues a scathing response to the Islamist "cretins" who have succesfully revived the "ancient art of demagoguery" by deliberately misrepresenting the issue in order to provoke widespread anti-Danish (and by extension anti-West) feeling. [January 30, 2006]
More Comments on Complete and Utter Nonsense
Bint ash-Shaitan (don't ask, because we won't tell) flips off Saudi surveillance to document reactions in the Kingdom, in particular religious television channels, popular opinion and even text messages. [January 31, 2006]
Cartoons, Manufactured Outrage, Tolerance & Dissent
Lounsbury returns to describe the prime drivers of this incident and further elaborates on the motives and interests of Salafist separatists (who disapprove of contact with non-Muslims in principle). He notes the general absence of sane responses from Muslim leaders, but acknowledges the Canadian Muslim Association's reasonable commentary on the matter. [February 2, 2006]
Background story to the "Danish cartoons" issue - and commentary
Raf* provides readers with details on the Mideast "road show"
undertaken by a young Danish imam and his associates to raise awareness
about anti-Muslim discrimination in Europe. The dossier of evidence, assembled
and presented by Akkari et al, contained the published cartoons as well
as some unpublished drawings of dubious origin. Comments on this entry
are excellent and worth reading. [February 3, 2006]
Why do the Syrians burn embassies but the Iranians don't?
Raf* comments on the conspicuous presence (or absence) of protests in
certain MENA countries, linking these to specific local conditions, rather
than a broader "Islamic rage". [Februrary 4, 2006]
"No Offend Chinese Women": Denmark and the Mutation of Organized Protest
Matthew Hogan draws a parallel between the Mideast protests and demonstrations
occuring in China prior to Tianmen. He ponders the possibility of a "silver
lining" where mass action over Danish cartoons might pave the way
for organized popular protests and greater political participation in
the Mideast. [February 5, 2006]
Cartoon Outrage: Salafist Entreprenurial Behaviour, Manufacturing Incidents & the Problem of Moderation
Warning readers (well, subliterate dimwits and knee-jerkers) in advance
that nuance is important when considering MENA issues, Lounsbury offers
a detailed analysis of the cartoon protests and the underlying Salafi-Jihadi
agenda. He also describes the lost moderate voice (pious and disgusted
by acts of terror, but wary of the West) and notes the lack of media attention
on MENA residents who did not respond the controversy (e.g. “Millions
of Maghrebines don’t particularly bother to do anything about Danish
cartoons” is a rather boring headline). [February 6, 2006]
Neandernews: Danish Imams Busted
Neandernews reports that the "pig snout" depiction of Mohammed was actually a photo from the French Pig-Squealing Championships in Trie-sur-Baise (Photo sources: Neandernews and MSNBC). [February 6, 2006]
Salafist Entrepreneurial Behavior: A Previous Incident Noted
Recalling the Alexandria riots last year, Tom Scudder observes that after-the-fact
incitement and political opportunism often go hand in hand. [February
7, 2006]
Mobilisation and Redirection of Anger: The Emergence of a Common Message
Meph examines religious messaging in the wake of the Danish cartoon controversy
and explains how these calls for solidarity are rooted in the rejection
of the West. By presenting the Islamic path as the only viable option
against a backdrop of secular and western failures, religious scholars
aim to convince Muslims that the renaissance of the Islamic people can
only be achieved by turning away from Western ideals. [February 7, 2006]
'Aqoul quoted in Financial Times
Financial Times cites
'Aqoul extensively in a survey of blogosphere responses to the Danish
cartoons. This is the second major publication to reference 'Aqoul, but
this time it wasn't over something utterly
trivial. [February 8, 2006]
Open Discussion: MENA, Muslim Minorities & Moderation
Lounsbury considers the problem of building consensus among moderate
Muslims and explores the notion of a "pious middle" - Muslims
who are horrified by the bloody-mindedness of Zarqawi-type terrorism but
at the same time distrustful of the West. Engaging this group in meaningful
dialogue is a challenge if one doesn't clearly understand what moderation
means in a MENA context. [February 9, 2006]
Cartoons: Reasonable Protest
A quick note from Lounsbury draws attention to the recent peaceful protests
by Muslims in Paris and London, condemning both the portrayal of Mohammed
and the violence that ensued. [February 12, 2006]
Contrarian Cartoon Commentary: Mechanics in Politics and Boycotts
Matthew Hogan elaborates further on his argument that the cartoon controversy may help create conditions for facilitating real political participation in the region. As with the Chinese anti-African riots, political mobilization over Danish cartoons can lead to constructive activism in other spheres as well. [February 16, 2006]
Posted by eerie at February 19, 2006 10:55 PM
