The failed attack on the Danish caricaturist Kurt Westergaard has increased anxiety in Europe about religious extremists. In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, Islam scholar Peter Heine discusses Islam's stance toward violence and the nature of the threat in Germany. SPIEGEL ONLINE: In the wake of Friday's failed attack on the Muhammad caricaturist Kurt Westergaard in Denmark, there is once again talk of a so-called "Islamist hit list." But does such a thing really exist? Peter Heine: There certainly isn't any set hit list for the simple fact that there are too many Islamist organizations, networks and individual groups. And all of them have their own goals, whether political or military.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: In the wake of Friday's failed attack on the Muhammad caricaturist Kurt Westergaard in Denmark, there is once again talk of a so-called "Islamist hit list." But does such a thing really exist?
Peter Heine: There certainly isn't any set hit list for the simple fact that there are too many Islamist organizations, networks and individual groups. And all of them have their own goals, whether political or military.
Why did the editors of Jyllands-Posten want to mock Islam in this way? Some of us believed it was in bad taste and also cruel. Intentional humiliation is an aggressive act. As a journalist now living in the same town as Westergaard, I thought some at Jyllands-Posten had acted like petulant adolescents. Danes fail to perceive the fact that they have developed a society deeply suspicious of religion. This is the real issue between Denmark and Muslim extremists, not freedom of speech. The free society precept is merely an attempt to give the perpetrators the moral high ground when actually it is a smokescreen for a deeply rooted prejudice, not against Muslims, but against religion per se. Muslims are in love with their faith. And many Danes are suspicious of anyone who loves religion.
A fascinating ride into nutty religious ideology. she seems to believe that anything a religious person finds offensive deserves whatever punishment the offended person deems fit. keep to the Fen Causeway
