June 06 2006: THIS is regarding the letter entitled ‘Protesting Da Vinci Code’ (June 1). Sundus Anwar is justified in questioning the protests of Italians, since the western world in general criticised the Muslims for protesting against the cartoons of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

However, there is a vast difference between the two forms of protests. I live in Australia which is predominantly a Christian country, but people here are cool about the movie. Those who are interested will watch it and those who don’t care for the movie won’t watch it. The Italians protested publicly, and burnt a few books but so what? They did not harm those who went to see the movie, or threaten to kill the actors or directors.

On the other hand, many people got killed (ironically most of them Muslims) when the cartoons were published. Public property was also destroyed. I think that is where the difference lies. There is one segment of people which goes into a frenzy and kills or destroys and another which adopts more peaceful means of protest — or even better, completely ignores the issue.

LAXMI MURTHY
Sydney, Australia
Source: Dawn
Date:6/6/2006