Times Report on Islamic Split in Middle East on Cartoons

Furor Over Cartoons Pits Muslim Against Muslim
By MICHAEL SLACKMAN and HASSAN M. FATTAH
There is a rift in the Middle East between those who want
to engage in direct dialogue and those who focus on outside
enemies.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/22/international/middleeast/22cartoons.html?th&emc=th

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Those not familiar with Islam may not be aware that it is not a monolithic, unified religion. There is no Pope in Islam. Currently we are witnessing the divisions both by country and within Islam over such an issue as the cartoons that have offended many. Islam, as the other two major Western religions, Christianity and Judaism, is divided between those with secular concerns -- universal human rights, the rule of law, etc. -- versus the particular religious codes and taboos unique to subdivisions of each of our religions. What we are seeing with globalization is a mutual exposure of each culture's values that are sometimes challenging to others. The cartoon matter manifests one of these collision areas -- within Islam, as this article reports, as well, as Islamists (purists who wish a return to fundamentals) clash with secularists who defend such values as free speech, democratic elections, personal liberties, etc.
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"A war is just if there is no alternative, and the resort
to arms is legitimate if they represent your last hope." (Livy)
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Ed Kent 718-951-5324 (voice mail only) [blind copies]
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