In reference to those cartoons of Muhummad which caused massive riots in Europe.
The foundation of Arab society is not the individual, but the community: first, the family, then the extended family or clan, then the religious community, and sometimes then the nation. With this worldview, if cartoonists in Denmark insult Islam and their prophet, and if the leader of Denmark (the “Danish community”) does not denounce it outright, then Muslims here interpret him to be saying that he and the Danes endorse the cartoons and insults. While the Danish prime minister publicly expressed his disapproval of the cartoons, he also shared that it was not illegal in Denmark, as there is freedom of expression and press for individuals. Ironically, this statement was interpreted by the Islamic community as endorsing and supporting the cartoons. The two cultural worldviews were not able to understand each other at all.
Full article here.
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