Taking Islam seriously 101

Some claim the film in question is intolerant of Islam. But intolerance is a function of our tenet of free speech and intolerance in films has been a hallmark of Western film making for years. Intolerance of Christians and Jews that is. A recent example being Mel Gibson’s violently anti-Semitic Passion of the Christ. But Jews didn’t go out into the streets cursing, burning and longing for a beheading. Did they?

That said, many would agree that intolerant behaviour is unacceptable, wherever it is practiced. Not just in the West.

So what about intolerance abroad?

Daily, Arab school children both in the Muslim world and even in the United Kingdom are taught that Jews are the descendents of monkeys and pigs. And how Adolf Hitler was a great man. Surely this is intolerant behaviour. When will this be stamped out? Where are the demonstrations against those films?

Some Muslim nations regularly churn out assiduously fanatical films that demonise, degrade and delegitimize Jews in a manner matched only by the Nazis. Just last month a film depicting Jewish domination of the world, “Saturday Hunter,” was screened in Iran to an adoring public.

Why does such intolerance go unremarked? Why don’t Jews gather in crowds demanding the filmmakers and distributors be held to account?

Mr Premier, like many politicians and journalists, you seek all the facts but are in a frustrating position.

So let me simplify the issue for you.

First, the extremists in the crowd (certainly not all of those assembled) don’t give a hoot about our tradition of multiculturalism. To them, it is one of our many, many faults.

Second, to the extremists, an American is an Australian is a German is a Japanese is a Lithuanian is an Israeli. All infidels are equally guilty.  U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens was simply the biggest prize on offer last week.

Next week another prize will no doubt be found. And another, the week after that. And another.

Third, blaming the film as the root of the anti-Western outburst plays into the hands of the haters. Just look at the slogans held up proudly. Most did not refer to the film.