The publication of a series of cartoons ridiculing Prophet Muhammad in Denmark's Jyllands-Posten newspaper and their republication in a number of publications in other European countries has raised explosive anger in the Muslim World and has brought many controversies to the surface.

When covering any crisis, IslamOnline.net tries not to oversimplify but to consider the background, different dimensions, and implications of events. We observe the sensitivities of such an issue, but at the same time we are committed to covering and analyzing different arguments. In keeping with our mission to cover diverse voices and perspectives, we believe that each dimension and view of the dispute should be openly presented.

No one with any kind of social responsibility and civic awareness would deny the grave error that was committed by the Danish newspaper. The broader contexts should be brought to light to better our understanding of both the manifestations and the ramifications of this crisis.

In order to understand the cartoon crisis, we cannot take it out of the context of the models of integration adopted by Denmark and the underachievement of Danish Muslims in education and employment. The Danish Muslims' taking the cartoon crisis to the international level reveals not only the deep hurt and offense they feel by the publication of the cartoons, but also that they are not fully integrated into their society. Their anger comprises anxiety, disappointment, and fear that resulted from a gradual build-up of emotion and tension over a period of time.

The Danish cartoon crisis should be understood in light of the institutionalization of Muslim communities in secular European countries. This would be a long-term process that needs more understanding from all sides.

On the other hand, many analysts discuss how some dictator regimes in the Arab and Muslim world, especially in the Middle East, have politically manipulated the understandable popular anger and redirected it away from their problematic domestic agendas.

The reactions of Muslims worldwide have varied, such as peaceful demonstrations, calls for an official apology, calls for boycotting Danish products, and violent protests.

The different reactions and scattered campaigns and initiatives need to be collectively reviewed so we can learn by building upon our previous experiences. Aimless protests, without targeting specific goals instead of addressing specific requirements, are not the best way to confront any kind of assault. Even the boycott, which seems more powerful during this crisis, needs to be reviewed: How can it be more effective and how can it be used wisely and justly without turning into an inhuman group punishment?

We must move from reactions to concepts. The freedom of expression is a core concept used by different people to structure their arguments in discussing the cartoon issue. In our efforts to bridge the gap between our readers in different parts of the globe, we publish materials produced by contributors from both the Muslim world and the West to prove to our readers that it is very difficult to paint a certain society and a whole community with the same brush. In every society there are people who side with the human values of coexistence and respect.

Many people in the world avoid taking simplistic extreme stances by respecting the value of freedom, but they also admit that it does not exist in a vacuum. Freedom is not absolute because each country has laws that define the framework for exercising freedom of expression.

People who regularly avoid polarization are calling for dialogues, but the cartoon crisis has challenged "dialogue forums" worldwide, especially those between the Muslim world and the West. Observers have criticized the ineffectiveness of these forums. Most people see these forums as isolated islands only for the elites. The real defect of "dialogue forums" is that they celebrate the common grounds between different cultural and religious groups they represent instead of discuss the actual differences that may lead to conflicts.

People who engage in dialogue forums must change the addressing of broad issues without setting specific goals. If they are serious about overcoming a similar crisis in the future, they should work to form a new phase of dialogue between cultures and civilizations while avoiding the defects in dialogue mentioned here.

Facing or creating conflict of ignorance is a crucial choice for the media, which plays a key role in framing issues for the public.

The misrepresentation of Islam and Muslims in the Western media can be caused by other factors, ignorance topping the list. Ignorance arises from too little research and writing too many clichés. Another reason for the misrepresentation of Islam and Muslims is the structural and institutional dynamics of the media such as meeting deadlines and lack of contacts and sources that assist journalists in interpreting events.

In covering the controversial cartoon crisis, some may side with a media code of ethics, seeking a more balanced message; others may simply chase after profits by drawing a greater audience to follow the hot conflict without observing the sensitivities of the societies they are covering.