Don't let cartoon controversy stoke culture clash, says expert

Published: 2006-02-20

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A "clash of civilizations" between the West and the Islamic world is possible but not inevitable, said an expert in Muslim-Christian relations in discussing the controversy over Danish cartoons caricaturing the prophet Mohammed. Although some people in the West and in the Muslim world are trying to stoke the fires of a clash, the reasons behind the violent protests in Muslim countries are more complex than pitting respect for religion against freedom of expression, said John L. Esposito, founding director of the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University in Washington. The controversy must be seen within the context of Muslims' smoldering anger at what they perceive as Western stereotyping of them as terrorists because of the actions of a few extremists, he said. The war on terrorism is often seen by Muslims as a war against Islam and an effort to redraw the political map of the Middle East, he said Feb. 16. Esposito spoke at a meeting of the Alpha Sigma Nu Alumni Club of Washington. Alpha Sigma Nu is the honor society for students of U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities.

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .