Stéphane Bussard, of Swiss paper Le Temps, interviewed Muslim scholar Tariq Ramadan on the issue of the Mohammed cartoons; Ramadan asserted he feels "The reaction of Muslims is ... excessive and disproportionate."

Ramadan explains that what is revealed by this controvery is that "laughter or mockery about religious matters is alien to Muslims' universe, whatever be the religion laughed at or derided ... The reaction of Muslims is nevertheless excessive and disproportionate."

When asked how he would explain the West's total incomprehension of the Muslim reaction to the cartoons, Ramadan responded as follows: "This is not a conflict between freedom of expression and religious dogma. What some Muslims request is not more censorship but a wiser use of freedom of speech. On the other side, they must understand that, from Voltaire to Hugo and up to Western contemporary literatures, there is a tradition of making fun of religious facts. They must learn to adopt a critical intellectual distance and ignore it calmly, while also explaining their point of view."

Ramadan was also asked: Those Muslims who reacted to the cartoons mention a lack of respect towards their faith. What about their own respect for freedom of expression or other religious in the Arab/Muslim world?

He responded: "It is true that there exist unjust and discriminatory treatments in societies where Muslims are the majority and it is true that Muslims are not vocal enough to condemn these attitudes. They must express themselves. This said, respect for others is not a question of reciprocity but a question of principle: it is not because dictatorial states fail to respect minorities that democracies, as if they were mirrors, should be allowed to do the same."

On the subject of the right to freedom of expression, Ramadan commented as follows: "The right to freedom of expression has never been absolute. There are laws which ban racist pronouncement for example. Adding up to that every society has its own rules vis-à-vis respect due to the religious sphere and cultural rights. Within this legal framework, it is expected from everyone to make a reasonable use of his freedom of expression while keeping in mind the sensitivities that exist in his society. European societies have changed and now include Muslim sensitivity: the point is not to impose laws but simply to widely open oneself to this new sensitivity."

As far as a solution to the crisis is concerned, Ramadan advocates: "That people on both sides of the line of divide take some distance from their initial position. That we understand that we have more things in common than unreconcilable differences. A large majority of us cherishes freedom of expression, diversity and dialogue."

Source: Le Temps (in French) (through the Commonwealth Press Union newsletter)