One distasteful cartoon brought a 60 year old Sarawak Tribune to its knees. This untimely oversight was to be the death warrant for this English daily. Now Sarawakians are trying hard to find a suitable replacement. Did it deserve such a severe reprimand? Despite their top editors accepting blame and acknowledging an error, the Government it seems had no mood to compromise. Now, many are left jobless and the English media scene in Sarawak in disarray. Malaysia it seems wanted to portray its seriousness in defending Islam. Would it not have been sufficient to make a public apology? Or have religious fanaticism won the day yet again?

Religion promotes peace. It encourages you to love your neighbour and even forgive your enemies. Those who go the extent of blaspheming will have to deal with the wrath of God. The act of defending a religion is understandable but it will remain a futile exercise in this hostile world. With recent developments how can one not tie Islam with terrorism. Many retort that Islam has nothing to do with terrorism, yet strong graphical images of beheadings and bombings were so intertwined with Islam. The word jihad would send jitters down your spine. Perhaps many say that it is not true Islam and these acts of terror do not represent Islam. Who is right and who is wrong?

Religious wars are nothing new and have been on this earth for centuries. It has cost many lives to be lost but the lessons are never learnt. The difficulty of reasoning with religious fanatics is obvious. Perhaps the aim of any exercise is to remove religous fanaticism, not just Islam but other religions as well.

The scale of this current "cartoon" episode has yet to reach its climax. It is a standoff between the West and the Islamic world. Malaysia has stated clearly which side she's on. Perhaps the next world war is looming, and it is unlike any previous world wars. God help us all.