Islam forbids visual depiction of Muhammad: A second aspect of the depiction ban is noted by John Esposito, editor of "The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World." Besides shunning any hint of idolatry, he says, the practice also expresses "the deep reverence and respect Muslims have for Muhammad" as "the ideal Muslim." He notes that when the prophet is named, believers always add "peace and blessings be upon him" and that he is sometimes called "the living Quran."The "ideal" Muslim?
Mohammed advocated open, offensive warfare against non-Muslims (Qur'an 9:5), ordered the subjugation, humiliation, and oppression of Jews and Christians who preferred such an existence over beheading (Qur'an 9:29), and frequently received "revelations" from his (false) god conveniently justifying, permitting, and condoning his thievery, murder, and lust--including the consummation of his "marriage" to a nine-year-old child (see Bukhari).
If Mohammed is the ideal, what does that imply about his followers? What does this mean for the Infidel?
(And "living Qur'an" is an obvious attempt to lend Islam's (false) prophet some of the credibility coming from the Bible's description of Christ as the "Word" made flesh.)
Bukhari says the cartoons, first published in Denmark, constitute a triple offense for Muslims: first by depicting Muhammad at all; second by treating him disrespectfully; and third because "in the present circumstance it is a symbol of the clash of civilizations that they want to insult the prophet and the whole of Islam."
Esposito, who is Roman Catholic, says the ban is so important that, for Muslims, the cartoons reinforce "a deep-seated belief that respect for Islam doesn't exist" in Europe.
"It can be read as a deliberate attempt to provoke and test, not only religiously," he said. "It expresses the tensions toward immigrant communities. It says this is what democracy is about: nothing is sacred."
Sayyid M. Syeed, secretary general of the Islamic Society of North America, said it's important that non-Muslims distinguish between freedom of opinion on religious matters and needless offense.
Muslims respect free speech rights, Syeed said. But "in a democratic environment, living in a pluralistic society, people should know they have to respect the sensitivity of Muslims on this issue. It does not muzzle their freedom of speech in rejecting Muhammad as the prophet."