The opinions expressed in this statement are the signatories` personal views and do not necessarily reflect those of the institutions to which they may be affiliated.

The publication of a series of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad in a number of European newspapers has led to official protests by Islamic governments, boycotts of European products, demonstrations, and attacks on several western embassies in the Middle East. Appearing when memories are still fresh about reports, later denied, of the desecration of the Qor`an by American troops at the Guantanamo prison, the drawings have strengthened the perception among many Muslims that not only are they being exploited economically and manipulated politically by the Western powers, but they are also insulted by the West culturally.

At the same time, troops from several Western countries are deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq; Israel continues its occupation of Palestinian Territories; the West has threatened to stop its financial support for the Palestinian Authority now that parliamentary elections have been won by the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas; and tension is rising over Iran`s nuclear program. In the West itself, many Muslims, and other minority communities, have for a long time been facing what they see as the erosion of cultural diversity and increasing prejudice. In such a highly polarized world, the continuation and escalation of this new conflict can have disastrous consequences.

The publication of the cartoons has been defended by some in the West on the grounds of freedom of expression. However, freedom of expression can only increase understanding if it is exercised with intellectual rigor and social responsibility. To present the Prophet Mohammad as a symbol of terrorism, as is done in one of the cartoons, is no different from presenting Moses as the symbol of right wing Israelis` actions against Palestinians, an association that would be rightly condemned as anti-Semitic and is prohibited by the laws of many European countries.

We call for a serious treatment of Islamic values by the West in line with the tradition of commitment to facts and rational analysis that have distinguished the best in Western thought since the Enlightenment. Writings on Islam by secular authors such as the late Maxime Rodinson, and the late Montgomery Watt - French and British biographers of the Prophet Mohammad, respectively - are regarded by many Muslims and non-Muslims as models of scholarship.

At a time when humanity is in dire need of understanding to ensure peaceful coexistence, the propagation of a set of ill-conceived drawings in several European countries has reinforced ignorance and hatred towards Muslims, and incited, albeit inadvertently, violence against European citizens and interests in Arab and Islamic countries. In defense of all those who have been aggrieved, we call on the authorities in all the countries concerned to prosecute those who have inflicted harm, either by abusing freedom of expression, or by seeking redress through violence, rather than through the rule of law.

Initiators:

• Hossein Shahidi, Assistant Professor of Communication, American University of Beirut, Sari Hanafi, (hanafi@p-ol.com) Visiting Associate Professors of Sociology, American University of Beirut

First Signatures:

• Hassan Hanafi, Prof. of Philosophy, University of Cairo
• Nabil Dajani, Professor of Communication, American University of Beirut
• Armando Salvatore, Research fellow in Sociology at Humboldt University, Berlin
• Ray Jureidini, Associate Prof. of Sociology, American University in Cairo
• Lisa Taraki, Prof. of Sociologist, Birzeit University
• Georges Giacaman, Prof. of Philosophy, Birzeit University
• Omar Nashabe, Assistant Prof. of sociology, American University of Science and Technology
• Baudoin Dupret, CNRS/IFPO, Damascus
• Benois Challand, Senior researcher, European University Institute, Italy
• Lena Jayyuisi, Prof. of Communication, American University of Sharqa
• Michael Warschawski, Human rights activist, Jerusalem, Israel
• Joss Dray, Photographer, France
• Micheline Garreau, Human rights activist, France

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