A friend of mine wrote this

I think it needs to be emphasized in the Western coverage of this matter (including BBC's) that the popular perception of Muslims regarding the cartoons is hugely skewed because of reports/rumors/email forwards that misrepresent the contents of the cartoons. The general perceptions vary between ideas such as the cartoons portraying the Prophet as a pedophile, or being raped by a dog, or being associated with pigs. Some sources of such fabrications have been identified, but most people are not clear on what the cartoons really portray and have a much more offensive and demeaning portrayal in their minds. A second issue is the perceived double standard in having laws in Europe that protect Jews and their symbols (especially the Holocaust) from ridicule or defame or even questioning and discussion, while Muslims are given the "freedom of speech" line by those same countries. A third issue of course is the lack of understanding of Muslims of their own history and how the Prophet himself (and God, through the Quran) has responded to ridicule directed at him. The Quran mentions in many places the kinds of ridicule that had been leveled at Muhammad (he was accused of being just a poet- poets usually having been perceived as being inspired by demons, or being a magician, or being a priest- also a concept with different connotations in pre-Islamic Arab society, or being simply mad). The Sira or history of the Prophet also mentions many kinds of abuse and ridicule that the Prophet had endured. My point is that the restraint showed by Muhammad and urged by him unto his companions in the face of such ridicule or abuse should be an example for Muslims today to follow. Words are words. They should be combated or responded to by words- or by "beautiful forgiveness" as Islam instructs- or as the Quran instructs: if the ignorant ones speak to us, then we say unto them peace be upon you, that is, we calmly and pleasantly ignore them.