In the past week, UNC faculty have been offering their views on protests in the Middle East against the online video mocking the Prophet Muhammad. In an interview with Radio Free Europe, sociology professor Charles Kurzman maintained that the film and some reactions represent less a “clash of civilizations” than a “clash of hatreds” between small groups intent on provocation. Professor of Islamic StudiesOmid Safi challenged his readers to ask themselves “What Would Muhammad Do?” in response to the film. Sociology professor Zeynep Tufecki compared the boundaries of public discourse in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East in a lively discussion of “Culture Clash Over Free Speech” on the Diane Rehm show. We’ll continue to post UNC faculty interviews and articles on the issue as they become available.
In the past week, UNC faculty have been offering their views on protests in the Middle East against the online video mocking the Prophet Muhammad. In an interview with Radio Free Europe, sociology professor Charles Kurzman maintained that the film and some reactions represent less a “clash of civilizations” than a “clash of hatreds” between small groups intent on provocation. Professor of Islamic StudiesOmid Safi challenged his readers to ask themselves “What Would Muhammad Do?” in response to the film. Sociology professor Zeynep Tufecki compared the boundaries of public discourse in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East in a lively discussion of “Culture Clash Over Free Speech” on the Diane Rehm show. We’ll continue to post UNC faculty interviews and articles on the issue as they become available.