The Voice of Reason

Yesterday there was a demonstration in Trafalgar Square, London by several thousand Muslims protesting about the cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. To these people such caricatures are blasphemous and unacceptable. This I can understand. This I, and most other cogent people can agree would be upsetting to people of really heartfelt beliefs.
The difference between this demonstration and others that are happening all over the world is that this was peaceful. The participants deliberately kept their protest down to cogent argument, not threats of violence. Several young Muslims decried the violent attitude of some previous demonstrators. British Muslims, who have never known other than a British way of life, can still be offended by such cartoons. They deserve to be heard. They have demonstrated their concerns and worries in a peaceful and democratic way. No threats, no violence, no fatwahs.
These people deserve to be listened to. Most of them were young. Most of them were born in this country. Most of them want just to be treated with respect and to be allowed to worship their god in the way that they see fit. To these people the upsurge of violent protest does nothing but harm to their cause. They just want to live in peace with those around them, whatever their beliefs.
I salute these young Muslims as the true ambassadors of their faith. God, Allah, call him what you will, will smile down on these people and on those who accept them for what they are - fellow human beings.