YESTERDAY’S arrest of seven people in connection with an investigation into a conspiracy to murder a Swedish cartoonist is a stark reminder of the international sweep of terrorism.
It is a reminder too of the kind of intolerance that has become unacceptable in the West. Lars Vilks’ cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad with the body of a dog was offensive to some Muslims but that does not mean he can be murdered or abused in any way.
None of those arrested have been charged much less convicted of anything so they, under our system, are innocent.
The arrests does however highlight the great clash of cultures we will have to deal with sooner or later.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Wednesday, March 10, 2010
