I read the May 23 front-page article "Anime stokes ire of Muslims" with some concern, as it reminded me yet again how insignificant events get blown out of proportion when it comes to the Muslim world. The chairman of the fatwa committee of Cairo said the scene "depicts Muslims as terrorists, which is not true at all . . . . This is an insult to the religion."

I have not seen the anime in question nor do I have the slightest desire to do so. Without going into the discussion of religion or its various forms, let me try to make a simple point. I am Hindu and I know for sure that Hinduism (as any other religion) does not preach violence. Hence if I came across a silly cartoon or material that depicts Hinduism as violent, I wouldn't bother to give it a second look -- not because I don't care about my religion, but because I KNOW the cartoon is entirely false and probably the work of some half-witted cartoonist.

Why then, I wonder, do some Muslim leaders always raise a hue and cry over such insignificant incidents?

If they genuinely believe their religion is not violent or doesn't preach terrorism, then why the need to get overly defensive when some stupid bloke makes disparaging remarks about Islam? If the fort is fundamentally strong and immune to enemy attack, then why spend so much artillery trying to defend it every time someone throws a pebble?

ami shukla