I don't know much about Pakistan other than what I read here and there. I don't know enough to really comment in a sensible way about it. But at least with the web we can have conversations - something that we are doing right now. I know the media spins in whatever direction the wind blows in a country as well - that is par for the course.

I honestly don't know about the image of Muhammad. I don't actually have an opinion on that aspect, because I do not feel that I am entitled to one - as someone pointed out before, I am not a Muslim. That is true. But when people who are Muslim say something - well, lets get rid of the 'Muslim' bit. If it were a bunch of druids who didn't like images portraying trees in sexual acts (I am reaching really far here and sincerely hope that it is far enough that I do not offend anyone!), then I would say... listen to the druids.

As a sidenote, I was surprised to find out that the images of Muhammad weren't actually... images of Muhammad. So I learned something of this. And the philosophy explained that I read, where Muhammad seemed to say that he didn't want his image to affect the way people view the religion (or something to that effect) certainly makes sense.

I've noted that on the Talk page, people have said that there could be two versions of the Wikipedia entry on Muhammad. I think that would at least demonstrate that there was some sensitivity, but then people say... "Oh, no, then what about other pages like that and this and that and this..."

There is something here that I will say, and that I hope a few people take to heart. The Wikipedia can be forked. It takes some money, yes, but it can be forked. And I see that coming down the road - its a matter of time before some interest group or another forks the Wikipedia.

You and I - a Buddhist and a Muslim - are having a sensible discussion about beliefs. If that discussion cannot happen on the Wikipedia, then the right thing to do might be to heed their advice. If they don't want to respect your wishes, then do you really want to use it anyway? That is about where I have reached with the Wikipedia. I used to advocate it, but I have seen some really biased attitudes coming out of the Wikipedia administrators on many issues... enough so that I no longer advocate it.

But while I may criticize, I have to admit that don't have a better way to do things. Its not perfect, and I think a lot of that has to do with the people who make decisions about content. The system might work with the right people, but I don't really know. What I do know is that whether it intended to or not, it continues to demonstrate the same problems that it was created to solve.