Why are people reacting so violently to images of mohammed?
84016
-From the source quoted below...\n\n"Controversy over the publication of images depicting Mohammed in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten has erupted into an international furor. While Muslims worldwide are calling for a boycott of Denmark and any other nation whose press reprints the cartoons, Europeans are trying to stand up for Western principles of freedom of speech and not cave in to self-censorship in the name of multiculturalism and fear."\n\n"While the debate rages, an important point has been overlooked: despite the Islamic prohibition against depicting Mohammed under any circumstances, hundreds of paintings, drawings and other images of Mohammed have been created over the centuries, with nary a word of complaint from the Muslim world. The recent cartoons in Jyllands-Posten are nothing new; it's just that no other images of Mohammed have ever been so widely publicized. "\n\n<snip>\n\nIt's also hypothsised that the situation was inflamed by the addition of 3 images that were NOT printed by the Danish newspaper.\n\n"Yet when a delegation of Danish imams went to the Middle East to discuss the issue of the cartoons with senior officials and prominent Islamic scholars, the imams openly distributed a booklet that showed 15 images -- not only the original 12 cartoons, but three fraudulent anti-Mohammed depictions that were much more offensive than the ones published in Denmark. It is now thought that these three bonus images are what ignited the outrage in the Muslim world. The newspaper Ekstra Bladet obtained a copy of the booklet and presented the three offensive images on its Web site (though not in an easy-to-find place). All look like low-quality photocopies."\n\nIt comes down to a clash of cultures and an intolerance of world views. Perhaps with a little provocation thrown in. I can't explain the level of violence though. Seems pretty extreme.
445044
Hi. My name is Mohamed Yaser, and I'm a muslim. You see, your question's got lots of answers. First of all, the 9-11 terrorist acts don't have to be necessarily done by muslim extremists as you say, it could probably be someone who's trying to give the world a false idea about Islam. There were lots of such things before, and many of them were discovered later. you see, Islam is a really peaceful religion... REALLY peaceful, but your media just doesn't like it that way, so if you want to know about Islam, try looking somewhere else. You can check out this site (it's one of our biggest sites online, and you'll find a link for English): www.islamway.com.\n\nHowever, I don't deny that there ARE infact some Muslim extremists who do commit terrorism, but these guys are usually people who don't understand Islam well, so they go around blowing everything up and think that this is gonna send them right to paradise. I think people like these are present in all religions, sure there are Christian and Jewish extremists too.\n\nNow, after telling you all the other possibilities, I'll answer your original question: Why do these extremists hate the U.S.? Well, your question shows that you really don't know what's going on in the world (sorry, no offense!!). Haven't you heard of what's going on in Iraq and palestine and Afghanistan and Chechinia and and and and? America is practicing pure terrorism there, but the American media apparently doesn't show you that. America just looks for any reason to get in, and then starts destroying everything; houses, people, women, babies, everything. The pictures and videos are all over TV. You can't expect Muslims to see that and just love the USA do you!! And then there was this reprint of our quraan, and those cartoons offending our prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). All that and you're asking why Muslims are angry with America?\n\nMuslims don't hate christians or anything, they just don't like whats going on, and in our religion, to fix this, were supposed to talk, to argue peacfully, not fight. This part is what the extremists don't understand.\n\nWhew! that was long! Sorry for the boring answer, I just wanted to make everything clear. Thanks for your very polite question, many people aren't that civilized.\n\nHope my answer was what you wanted! Bye!\nMohamed Yaser
894223
I suppose it's how extreme a form of their religion they follow. Look at the number of so called honour killings happening, where people have relationships outiside their social or religious background. It's rather worrying- i was watching it on crime watch the other night.
115154
I am sure it would have been much more controversial if Rolling Stone called him Mohammed rather than Jesus. Christians have always had art with people in them. Muslims have always said it was wrong to have any art with god or the prophet in it.
452845
As far as I understand it, it is against their own religion.  Therefore they are being inconsistent and hypocritical.  Mohammed was a peaceful leader and yet they blasphemed his name themselves by rising up in such a violent way to 'protect' his good name during the incident of the cartoons.  What of the fact that they have slandered the Christian icon Jesus?  Yet, they don't expect Christians to rise up against them do they?  \nOr is that what they want?  Another holy war to make life interesting?  To lose their loved ones in bitter rage in the name of religions that have both preached peace and love (in spite of admitting only one God)?\nIf it were a matter of severe oppression and humiliation it would be understandable, but still not justified in the eyes of their own religion.  But it is not.  Muslims are accepted worldwide nowadays due to religious tolerance.  They are making THEMSELVES feared and hated through their own actions.  Should others rise up against their religion in the name of their own (as of old) and try to dominate them in the name of THEIR one true God?  Perhaps this would gain a grudging respect from Muslims and matters might calm down.
653373
because some people (not all) want to spread hate about Islam. you know they have a goal in their heads.\ngood links:\n\nwww.askmuslim.com\n\nhttp://www.beconvinced.com/en/main.php
981544
Because some brands of Islam seeks to impose its views on the world by force. As to comparing religions, not really sure where you get that from; I have not heard many people doing such a thing.
198555
Gee,  people wonder why people are leaving religions in droves and are thoroughly disgusted with the institution as a whole and use the word hypocrisy.  The cartoons were offensive and so were the anti-Semitic cartoons the Islamic press were publishing at the time.  But there is freedom of speech and we are entitled to use it!  Nor do people not of one have have to conform to the rules of another.  I find it funny Muslims are in an uproar over cartoons of their prophet yet at the same time running blatantly anti-Semitic cartoons in THEIR papers.  Talk about talking out of both sides of your mouth...\n\nGROW UP THE WHOLE LOT OF YOU!  We ALL have to live in this world not just you!
343695
it's sad how they succeed to destroy the image of this beautiful religion Islam. muslims are victims of this nasty game. and it's obvious from reading people comments such as (reward 12 virgins for the suicides) that they just know so much little. they didn't know that all Muslims scholars condemn theses terrorists activities but for some reason they don't receive any news about that here. Islam forbid killing Innocent people, Islam forbid killing your own self and Muhammad warned the Muslim world from being extremist and he said three times:\n "those who are extremist are going down"\n\nJesus talked about the comforter, and they claimed it's the holy spirit. comforter was refer to Muhammad the comming prophet who will complete the message of God and He is the last of all the prophets. \n\nand the Quran is a big evidence of the real God. but some will aruge about Islam without even discover Islam. what if Islam was true and Muhammad was a true prophet?
895188
God is not scared who do not believe in him and who also do not accept Koran as God's words nor believe Muhammad as a Messenger of God. Allah's men who have turned terrorists and believe in all these are hated whole over the world. So, what we can conclude is that some people misuse God's name to acquire respect and fear from the God fearing people. Otherwise, this Hell, Heaven and Allah's distinction as infidels and believers all these are sheer humbug! Figments of human imagination being sold as revelation.
956824
IT IS HARD TO LIKE A GROUP OF PEOPLE THE PROMOTE TERROR AND GET THEIR THRILLS ON BEHEADING PEOPLE !!!\n\nTHESE ACTIONS ARE INHUMAN AND JUST UNACCEPTABLE !!!
378452
It is a good question, and something that I as a muslim, get very upset about.\n\nFirstly as I am sure you know Islam Completely against Violence.\n\nI think we as muslims do not do enough to make this clear to non- muslims. And we let the fanatics takes over Islam.\n\nThere is a victim mentality, that is always blaming somebody else for what is going wrong. Also there is a problem that muslims to not like to criticise other muslims, even if there are doing something totally wrong.\n\nI live in England, and I have muslim friends who will not condemn the suicide bombers in London because they are muslim, and they say they must have right reasons in their mind for that act. \n\nMany people protest about the Americans in Iraq, quite rightly, but more muslims are killed by other muslims like Zarqawi. I don't see too many people outside Iraq rushing to protest against his actions. Most people are against is actions but why are they quiet. He is as big a evil as Bush.\n\nFor the cartoons I was against them, and I am lucky to live in a country where they are not published, but by protesting against in the way they proved the cartooners right. (it was unaccept for some muslims to say kill all danish) And why do people not get as upset bu terrorist attacts in the name of Islam?? These are REALLY a blaspheme against god.\nAlso it is very unfortunate that some muslims make simular cartoons against jews. The Iranian newspapers response to run a cartoon about the horoculst was appalling and un Islamic. I sometimes think Muslims have double stands like the their criticise the west as having.\n\n\nThe media DO high light bad behaviour by muslims over good, \nBut we are often to blame because WE donot make our voice strong enough when other muslim do bad things in the name of Islam.\n\nIt is easy to fall in a victim mentality, when people attack us and become defensive. \nBUT it is better for us to PROVE the attackers wrong by confronting people who misuse islam..
1158636
FUNNY HOW AROUND THE WORLD  there were massive portests against the cartoons even people killed, embassies burned, diplomats attacked and boycots of denmark...\n\n\nBut why none against the treatment of women in islam, \nforced arranged marriage,\n the lack of gay rights with gays executed, \ngirls stoned to death for making love etc...\n\nWHERE WAS THE OUTRAGE?\n\nIe important stuff not silly cartoons...\n\nIf I was Allah Id say stop sucking up to me go rescue the girls...
785562
There could be many reasons though I can only think of one: \n\nWe are all getting a bit uptight about Islam. Everybody including politicians are condemning Islam. Therefore, Muslims over the world are a bit..... how should I say..... frustrated......??? They see anything like this against them. A few years back, I should have also thought like this. (that ransacking muslim graves is racist and anti-religious)
383855
Muslim people are strapping bombs to their bodies and blowing up innocent children and adults.  I saw footage of people dancing in the streets whe news of 9/11 was made public.  And the hijackers on the planes that day were all Muslims, at least the words they said were in praise of Allah. \nYou are not telling the truth.
163004
maybe those ppl who support the cartoons dont have any thing better to do ???!!!\n\ni for one do respect all faiths such as christians ,jews ..considering that i am a muslim...i do not dare mock jesus or   moses ...and respect those prophets alot...i dont know why some ppl want to mock muslims....for a muslim i am agianst all the killings of any innocent ppl regradless of thier faith...but i am also agianst those who disrespect my religion and my prophet {PBUH} and will do all that is inmy power to protect OUR RIGHT...which is called freedom of protection hehe and not freedom of expression= freedom of abuse... these ppl are using that..! dont u agree??
949753
That's how they are brainwashed. if they see a nun cowered from head to toe, they think very highly of that woman, they think she is a very pious woman, she is doing god's work etc. But when they think a muslim woman then they think that  she is mistreated , subjugated, and needs to be liberated.WOW........\n\n  Same is the case with beard.Their jesus can have a beard, their santa claus can have a beard, their God can have a white flowing beard and they are all good people . But when a dark skin person has a beard than than the first thing that comes to their mind is this guy probably is a terrorist WOW...........  AMAZING..........