I started to read the Monday issue of Daily Illini with the hope that the editorial board would realize the hate-driven, discriminatory, and inconsiderate actions of their editor in chief and would apologize for the publications of the cartoons. What I ended up getting was a new insult: the one by Gorton was an insult to my prophet (peace be upon him) and the one on Monday to my intellect. There seem to be an apology by DI to the Muslims but it is not for the publication of the cartoons (since the editorial board members “do not necessarily disagree with the decision to print these cartoons”), but for the way the editor in chief abused his power. As a Muslim who has been offended by the publication of the cartoons, I could not care less about the power structure within DI. That is not my problem, it is yours, and the following days would show if the majority of editors (other than Gorton and Prochaska) have any say in the newspaper: i.e. would these two renegade editors be punished in any way for abusing their power or would they enjoy being famous.

It is finally clear for the editors in DI that these cartoons do not promote or initiate any kind of dialogue. This was already clear for any person who follows world news, and knows the consequences of the publication of these cartoons in different parts of the world. Now we should wait and hope that DI would realize that:

n These cartoons are a security threat to the Muslims, especially Muslim women who are very distinguishable from their headscarves.

n DI is working hard to stop dialogue efforts. How can you expect Muslims to get into dialogue when all they get in return is insults to their beloved prophet (peace be upon him) and their faith. Everyday you get those cartoons in your website, you are making a firm statement that you do not want to have any discourse with the Muslim community.

n The Muslim community is not offended more easily than the other communities. An insult to our prophet is among the worst insults you can do to us. If this is what you want well then you got, and I think, as person who is losing hope of any fair treatment in this society, you would probably get away with it.

I am sorry to say this but I do not have any regard for DI at this point.

Hamza Balci

Postdoctoral Research Associate