So What Was Behind The Muslim Cartoon Brouhaha?

[Annie]

It wasn't just depictions of Muhammed:

http://www.meforum.org/article/1437

From the conclusion:

...

There are other reasons to be skeptical about the security services' benign attitude toward radical imams. Tina Magaard, an expert in Islamic literature at the University of Aarhus, analyzed a sermon delivered by Hlayhel in the aftermath of the cartoon saga, in which, according to his Manichean vision of the world, he divided Danish society into good and bad.[51] If Jyllands-Posten, the Danish government, and the People's Party were evil for their roles in the cartoon controversy, PET and Arla, the Aarhus-based food industry giant that condemned the cartoons fearing economic repercussions against its businesses in the Middle East, are praised for solidarity with Muslims. Magaard believes that Hlayhel considers his own position in Denmark to be similar to that of Muhammad in Medina when the Prophet, having limited power at that stage, formed alliances with tribes of polytheists and Jews. PET and Arla, in Hlayhel's vision, are good Danish "tribes" with whom a deal can be made for the greater good of Muslims. But Hlayhel's covenant, like Muhammad's, Magaard warns, is revocable: it will be valid only as long as it serves the Muslims' interest, and circumstances will change as the balance of power shifts.[52]
The Aftermath

It seems that power may be the imams' goal. Since the cartoon saga ended, Hlayhel has thrown his weight behind the construction of a large new mosque inside Gellerup, a project he had previously opposed. Wealthy Saudi businessmen have visited his mosque, attracted by his new notoriety. Since money for the construction of the mosque now comes from foreign sponsors supportive of his politics,[53] Hlayhel stands to benefit more and expand his influence at the expense of those more beholden to the local community. Those moderate and liberal Muslim organizations on the other hand that do not receive foreign largesse struggle to survive. Some receive funding from the city council but often at the expense of accusations of being government puppets.

Like the cartoon controversy, the Danish solution to the dual dilemma of how to empower moderate Muslims without tainting them and how to marginalize radicals without backlash will have repercussions beyond Denmark's border. While some in Europe are watching, many others remain in a state of denial, handicapped by political correctness and self-destructive taboos.