Below is a series of pictures, which are mostly rather gruesome to look at. However, for Islamists and indeed, many moderate Muslims, there is one image that will drive the rage-o-meter off the scale. Can you guess which one it is? (click on the image to enlarge)

Amazing isn’t it?

Yesterday (20th May) was ‘Draw Mohammed Day’. A Facebook page was set up for people to post their drawings of the Islamic Prophet Mohammed. Over 90,000 people became a ‘fan’ of the page and at the last count around 4,000 images had been posted. Admittedly, some of the pictures were gratuitously offensive in that they showed Mohammed with items and in scenes that would make your grandmother blush. However, that’s not the point. Many were neutral and even positive reproductions of classical and mundane portraits of Mohammed or Arab-looking men with beards.

What went wrong? Facebook went wrong. Today the page no longer exists as Facebook has removed it. While one only has to type in ‘Jews’ and ‘Israel’ into the search box to find rabid hate groups, mostly created by Muslims, a simple page of drawings and cartoons which were a symbol of freedom of expression, has been obliterated.

Danish and other European cartoonists live in fear of their lives because of drawings they created portraying Mohammed. Some have had their homes attacked whilst infamous incidents such as the murder of Theo Van Gogh still haunt the streets of Amsterdam. These cartoons and drawings were a symbol of post-Enlightenment values being defended against 7th Century barbarism. The capitulation of Facebook over this, is disappointing to put it mildly but sadly, not surprising.

The question remains, when will we, the West, stand up for our values and liberty? Before or after it is too late?

Image courtesy of American Thinker.

See also: Dhimmitude and Draw Mohammed Day. (Michelle Malkin)

“The hate for the West swells like a fire fed by the wind. The clash between us and them is not a military one. It is a cultural one, a religious one, and the worst is still to come.” Oriana Fallaci

Under the new law, which is expected to be given Royal assent, any and all mention of peace, reconciliation and pacifism could land the accused with a custodial sentence of more than twenty years followed by automatic deportation upon completion.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s spokesman has told the press that all Labour MPs are behind the bill as well as having cross bench support from the Liberal Democrats and some Conservatives. The Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is said to be aiming to get the bill passed as quickly as possible in time for the up-coming review of Britain’s role in the war in Iraq.

However, critics have complained that the possible new law goes against the very values and foundations of democracy and free speech. A UKIP parliamentarian who asked to remain anonymous said in an interview this morning:

“Democracy means differences and debate. It’s a very sad day when the UK bans an unsavoury but elected spiritual leader and outlaws the criticism of war. Pope Benedict might serve no other purpose but to offend with his words of peace but we still have a duty to let those we deem extreme have their say and that includes the general population as a whole.”

Foreign Secretary David Miliband told the BBC’s Hardtalk: “The home secretary made a decision on an individual case as she is required to do.”

Many newspapers have also supported the bill with The Guardian and The Independent among those most corroboratory. The Guardian’s ‘comment is free’ section has been filled with messages in agreement with the government’s plans. The chairman of the ‘Socialists for Equality’ group, which has connections to the Labour Party said:

“This is a wonderful new era for war, violence and freedom of speech. As has been said before, we are not allowed to cry ‘fire’ in a crowded cinema so why should people be allowed to incite peace with such barbaric messages of hope?”

Small protests have been planned by pacifists in a number of major British cities. They are expected to come in the form of mass sit-downs and tea parties on major roads and in cathedral squares.