Revealing expressions in the heart of European media
posted in response to Cartoon + Interpretation at post.thing.net
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The Danish Cartoon
This guy looks like a desi - South Asian - bouncer. That explains why he has a ferocious public profile. May be he's a low-ranking sepoy guarding the armament depot, and his headgear is part of the uniform along with other such British colonial curiosities. Can't think of a rebellious British Muslim ex-colony that has gone that way though?
Anyway, the insignia on his turban is a fine piece of Arabic calligraphy of 'there is no god but god, Muhammad is his messenger' - the basic Muslim confession or 'kalma' - probably commissioned by a sultan who is keen on art. And trying to muster an army that will look good in his defence - king of kings, god's shadow on earth. That discounts the subject being a Sikh - who wouldn't wear that, even if he had to quit the army. So it's likely this guy's sultan has a tiny monolithic kingdom gone psychotic under threat - but that doesn't explain the art - aesthetics must have been the sultan's childhood passion - he's making a statement.
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Sultan Mehmet II
It is doubtful if the subject is very independent-minded - and most likely values loyalty over practicality - which is why he is loaded with a lit bomb on his head and doesn't realize it. He's either a conned neocon, or he's gotta be a masochist spy who loves it - in Europe.
The explanation that makes momentary sense, is that a ferocious looking Muslim, like a live bomb about to explode, looks good in Europe.
But the final one has to be that Muhammad's aesthetic is about to ferociously explode in Europe.
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Tughra of Suleiman I
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[imgs: Jyllands-Posten, Topkapi Palace]
gazelle at Truth Shall Veil Beauty
Article comments
1 - Bill
Why is it okay to decpict the Son of God, Jesus Christ in any characature we want; to ridicule, disrespect the Savior any way we want.
The outraged Muslim extremist need to loosen their turbins so blood can get to their small brains and realize that this is the real world and that nothing is beyond sarcastic ridicule.
If the Son of the one true living God, Jesus Christ, is not 'off limits' then why should the extremist Muslims expect their 'prophet', who by the way was only a man and could not over come the grave, be placed on such a lofty pedistool?
2 - gazelle
Why is it okay to decpict the Son of God, Jesus Christ in any characature we want; to ridicule, disrespect the Savior any way we want.
1. not all christians think so.
2. most muslims dont think so. because although a man like muhammad, jesus they think, as a prophet of god, should not be disrespected.
so its not ok universally. it only seems an okay thing to do to some people.
best
3 - Human
We are human beings, and humanity lies in respecting and honoring people who are different than yourself and who follow different religion than yourself. There is no honor or dignity in ridiculing some one else's faith and hurting their feelings. So use common sense and try to not hurt others feelings.