Manal and Alaa's bit bucket free speech from the bletches

Under the pretext "freedom of press," my beloved prophet, peace be upon him, was being mocked 1,400 years after his death. What did he do wrong to be treated this way? Was it his call for humanity to worship the one God and abandon idol worshipping? Was it Islam's message that makes human beings accountable for their deeds, good or bad? Was it his call to stand for justice, compassion and equality? Freedom of press should be respected, and Muslims should be the first ones to protect and seek this right. However, freedom comes with responsibility, sensitivity and fairness. As much as you are not free to inflict physical harm on someone as a way expression, you should not inflict an emotional assault on 1.5 billion people and shield yourself behind the freedom of press. To me, Islam is the best way of life, and Muhammad is the best role model for humans. I share these feelings with 1.5 billion Muslims -- men and women, white and black, Arabs and Asians, professionals and illiterates, young and old, all over the globe. I do agree that, as was said after 9/11, Islam is a religion of peace hijacked by the terrorists. This is the feeling of the majority of Muslims. However, the war on terrorism is perceived as a war on Islam and Muslims. Islamophobia is spreading all over the Western world and hate crimes against Muslims are on the rise. Muslim masses feel that they are attacked not only by the West but also by their own pro-Western governments. At a time when Muslim detainees are stripped naked and tortured in Abu Ghraib, when Muslim women are prohibited from wearing hijabs in France, a Danish newspaper becomes the center of attention by publishing cartoons attacking the prophet of Islam. What is the cartoonists' motive? Who is benefiting from publishing them? At a time when sages across the world are desperate to build bridges of understanding, a detonator for a clash of civilizations comes from the north. Many Muslims are very emotional by nature. When they love, they would give everything, and when they hate, they turn into volcanoes of anger. Burning buildings, kidnapping people or hurting them is unacceptable under Islamic teachings. "You do not do evil to those who do evil to you, but you deal with them with forgiveness and kindness," the prophet once taught his companions. The Quran tells the prophet to "show forgiveness, speak for justice and avoid the ignorant." These are the teachings Muslims should follow as they express justifiable concern about the publication of the Danish cartoons. This unfortunate episode can be used as a learning opportunity for people of all faiths who sincerely want to know more about Islam and Muslims. It can also be viewed as a "teaching moment" for Muslims who want to exemplify the prophet's teachings through the example of their good character and dignified behavior in the face of provocation and abuse. As the Quran says: "It may well be that God will bring about love (and friendship) between you and those with whom you are now at odds."