Now the Danish cartoon protests have brought death to the Muslim world. And not to the Danes–but to Muslims protesting violently against the cartoons.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) – Hundreds of Afghans clashed with police and soldiers Monday during demonstrations against the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. Four people were killed and at least 19 wounded, officials said.
The worst of the violence was outside Bagram, the main U.S. base in Afghanistan, with Afghan police firing on some 2,000 protesters as they tried to break into the heavily guarded facility, said Kabir Ahmed, the local government chief.
Two of the demonstrators were killed and five were injured, while eight police were also hurt, he said. No U.S. troops were involved in the incident, Ahmed said.
The protests are spreading, fanned, somehow, by, gee, I don’t know–could it be Islamists churning up the rage by spreading lies and misinformation? No. Couldn’t be.
Police investigating Sunday’s fire and riot at the building housing the Danish mission said that, contrary to previous reports, the mission offices were intact. The fire and wrecking of offices had been confined to Lebanese businesses on lower floors.
At least one person died, 30 were injured and about 200 people were detained in Sunday’s violence, officials said. Prime Minister Fuad Saniora said the arrested included 76 Syrians, 35 Palestinians and 38 Lebanese.
The Beirut violence came a day after violent protests in neighboring Syria, including the burning of the Danish and Norwegian missions. The United States accused the Syrian government of authorizing the protests in Lebanon and Syria, an accusation also made by anti-Syrian Lebanese politicians.
Gee, 76 Syrians were arrested in the protests. Imagine that. And the Danish embassy in Syria was torched. Syria, where there is no such thing as an uncontrolled mob.
Make no mistake, these protests are far more serious than any other protests that have hit the Muslim world. The Islamists are using them. The Syrians and Iranians are using them. Al Qaeda will be mentioning the Danish cartoons in their next tape; count on it.
Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Kashmir, Turkey, Gaza–the protests are spreading. Australian Muslims told the Australian press not to publish the cartoons; one did anyway.
The events that were started by the Danish cartoons will have echoes reverberating for decades to come. This isn’t just the so-called clash of civilizations. I believe this is the next step in the Terror War that began on 9/11. I also believe that the Islamists have tipped their hands too soon. If they had held off for a few more years, they’d have had all Europe behind them, cowering and afraid to publish the cartoons or stand up for the Western values of freedom. Instead, the Islamists have shown Europe what kind of intolerance they have in their own nations. If the protests don’t start getting ratcheted down, I think there is going to be massive bloodshed. I think there will be armed confrontations. And I don’t think that Europe’s Muslims are going to walk away the winners in this one.
Is it a civil war when one side lives in your country, but does not feel a part of it?
I don’t know. But we may be on the verge of finding out.
Don’t get me wrong: This isn’t a good thing. It is a very bad thing. But apparently, we’ve been heading for this clash for decades.
I wonder if an American newspaper will get the courage to print those cartoons.
Have you seen that one?
Tell it all…