I’m not sure how I feel about this development:
Bush commented alongside King Abdullah II of Jordan at the White House. Abdullah, too, called for protests to be peaceful, but he also spoke against ridicule of Islam’s holiest figure.
Islam is interpreted to forbid any illustrations of Muhammad for fear they could lead to idolatry.
“With all respect to press freedoms, obviously anything that vilifies the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, or attacks Muslim sensibilities, I believe, needs to be condemned,” he said.
I think this message was designed as a soundbite for Muslim audiences. The White House was eager to show to the Muslim world that the United States is respectful of Islam and their prophet, while at the same time, on the same day, the Secretary of State is saying some pretty inflammatory things directed to the local state sponsors of terrorism. While I’m not sure how I feel about the leader of my country making the reverential statement “peace be upon him,” I think the tactic was well thought out. Hopefully Al Jazeera picked it up.
