Sir, – Simon Woodworth’s cringeworthy letter (September 15th) is sadly typical of the reaction of many in the West to the latest round of violence by extremist Muslims in relation to a perceived slight.
The fault for the deaths and violence lies entirely with those carrying out these acts. There should no equivocation suggesting that they might have a point. They do not. Being ridiculed and ridiculing are part and parcel of the cut and thrust of living in a society where there is free speech. Muhammad was figure from the distant past who means nothing to me or the majority of this planet beyond being a historical curiosity.
Making fun of him causes me or few other outside the Islamic world any offence and if someone chooses to make fun of him people just have to get over it. As David Cameron said, the best censor is the Off button if you are so offended.
The violence has been whipped up by extremist elements to push their medieval agenda and force their “red lines” on everyone else. We need to make it clear that there are no red lines when it come to satire and ridicule no matter how badly it is done. – Yours, etc,