Argonautica Polaris

Lollywood and Dannebrogen

Sunday. Time to summarize one week of intensive newspaper-reading in order to try and understand what the Cartoon row is about. Basically I think the danish flag has now gone through a process that has turned it into a signal and an icon that can be used by just about any muslim country in order to make their voice heard abroad. Behind the discontent among the population triggering the massive numbers of protesters, can be almost any set of circumstances. The only thing in common is that they all wave the danish flag over the flames. The rather unoffensive 12 danish cartoons are just 12 little pictures among thousands alike and worse, published during the years 2000 and in the previous century.

I think identity must be the word here. Or rather a feeling of lack of identity among the population in many of the countries involved in the demonstrations. No European union to keep them together. No strong economic image to rally in the industrialized world. Developing countries, yes, but are they developing fast enough to keep up with "the western world"? In this lack I think islam becomes that missing connection, and as such it is in need of an enemy to reinforce itself.

Since I had to make some sort of case-study in order not to succumb to information over-load, I used Asia Observer to find out more about Pakistan, a country reported by BBC as one where there has been particularly violent protests. I found conflicting reports about this country which seem to hold everything from Lollywood stars, islamic universities and Pakistani fashion designers on the go. At the same time it is a country where it is possible to use all the mosque fundings as a bounty on the head of a dabbing danish cartoonist. That in a country which reportedly still have some 40 % illiterate. How can it all be possible? Imagine all those money spent on health care and schoolbooks instead! I hope some reasonable muslim men and women will now react and finally step up and say "enough of this!".

The link below is to the search-portal Asia Observer. Also a norvegian behind this portal.

posted by "Amira" @ 11:09 AM