I tend to be a little optimistic and think there can and MUST be something good in any type of NON VIOLENT (online)confrontation between the Western and the Muslim worlds.
Being a visual artist and a proud Canadian that was born and spend my first 10 years in the Mid-East, I can tell you that these current "affairs" hold very true place in my heart.
I am not a Muslim, I am not here to judge or tell you what they teach and don't teach within the religion, but just through observation and study, I've learned that most Muslim youth in countries like Pakistan do not have reliable sources to be properly educated about Western, democratic culture. In fact I believe they are strongly discourage to learn (and understand) about different ideals, laws and traditions in other parts of the world.
A Muslim child most likely spends majority of his mental developing years studying the Quran and not much else.
Having said all of the above: I've been following very closely "Everyone Draw Muhammed Day" page since the beginning of the week, I probably read thousands of comments posted by Offended muslims and by the participants and supporters of the page. There's lotta bullshit there from both parties let me assure you that ....lotta threats, insults, racism, hate mongering, yep it's all there if you wanna go read.
But let me say one thing to you, if you filter out that bullshit mentioned above, a good chunk of comments actually evolve from anger and insult to discussions and debate, I read so many intelligent and evolving (back and forth) debates and discussions by the minority mature crowd on that page. I was delightedly surprised to read a mature person from Pakistan explain his argument to someone mature from the US or Europe about the differences of their ideals and beliefs as a human being.
Basically there was dialogue there, a communication brewing between very "different" people from different parts of the world. And More importantly this was done in a civilized fashion.
But Unfortunately Pakistan's government decided to cut off it's entire population from the rest of the world through facebook and most of these youth who just barely started to spark some common ground with people outside their religious beliefs: Were basically forced to walk away from their computers to make protest banners and go outside, march and burn Danish, Swedish, American flags etc.
As controversial and unnecessary this facebook page might seem to you and some others...It is still this Only window of opportunity created through the popular and effective medium of the internet which allowed Masses from every corner of the planet to share their thoughts and opinions instantly, and maybe even understand and except each other more as fellow human beings.
And that's why I applaud the organizers and support this event.
