Europe’s Dilemma
Charles Johnson
Thu Feb 16, 2006 at 7:45 pm PST • Views: 331
The ghosts of the Spanish warriors of the Reconquista are restless tonight, as their modern day countrymen willfully forget their sacrifices: Don’t Burn Muhammad | The Brussels Journal.
In 711 Muslim armies crossed the Strait of Gibraltar. They took Spain by force and remained there until they were thrown out during the reconquista in 1492. Every year, in a tradition that goes back to the 16th century, Spanish villages still celebrate the liberation from the Moors (as the Muslims were locally called) during “Moros y Cristianos” festivals in which effigies of the prophet Muhammad – the so-called “la Mahoma” – are mocked, thrown out of windows, and burned.
Now the Spanish, having witnessed what happened to the Vikings recently, are wondering whether they can still continue their tradition of “offending Muslims.” The village of Bocairent near Valencia decided this year to discontinue the century old tradition of mocking and burning effigies of Muhammad. Bocairent does not want to risk becoming the target of suicide bombers.
But one Dutch political cartoonist is made of sterner stuff. (The title “Gevoelig” means “Sensitive.”)
Frank says: