Hundreds of Muslims are dead. Millions have marched in a thousand cities across the globe to show their frustration and disgust at the blasphemous cartoons. It is now almost six months since those horrible men mocked the Muslim world and broke a billion hearts. And how has the leadership of the Muslims world reacted ? Atrociously, with a lot of bellowing, hot air, bombast and posturing, all devoid of substance.

Mullahs have demanded that the cartoonists be handed over to them, to kill in accordance with their beliefs, completely oblivious of such niceties as the rule of law. The hugely bearded minister of Haj of an Indian State has appeared on television and offered a cash prize of Rs. 510 million ------ Yes, Rs. 510 million -----to anyone who "kills the cartoonist". The fool did not even know that there are several cartoonists, not one, and his prize could cost him several billion rupees. His offer is a brazenly criminal act. He is publicly inciting people to commit murder. If he now travels to Europe, in the unlikely event that any country grants him a visa, he would undoubtedly be arrested and put away behind bars for the twilight years of his life. Certainly not the best way to win sympathy for a noble cause.

Worse than religious reactions has been the response of Muslim rulers. Firstly, they want an apology from Western governments, including Denmark's. Secondly, they demand that several countries must change their laws to punish blasphemers. Thirdly, they wish to mobilize the United Nations and the Islamic Conference (OIC) to act.

These are all pipe dreams. Why should their governments apologise, leaders of many countries ask ? They have not done anything wrong. Except for a handful of right wing bigoted politicians, others have strenuously condemned the blasphemy. The difference is one of perception. What we regard as blasphemy often does not agree with their citizens's idea of freedom of expression. Many Muslim leaders have unwittingly escalated the criminal act of a newspaper to a religious confrontation with many countries. This is most unfortunate. The cartoon issue has to be addressed. But certainly not unreasonably.

As for the demand that all these countries change their laws, this is not going to happen. They are democracies. Their legislators make laws which reflect the wishes of their own people. They do not make laws based on the wishes of foreign countries. And those, too, of OIC members. Of the 57 members of the OIC, only a few (like Turkey, Malaysia, and Indonesia) are democracies, while one or two others (like Bangladesh) are getting there. The remaining 50 or so are dictatorships, some benign and tolerant (like Jordan) others ruthlessly autocratic (like Uzbekistan, Kazakistan and Saudi Arabia). While these 50 dictators can change laws in their own countries with the snap of a finger, in their arrogance they cannot comprehend that the same snapping of fingers will not change laws in foreign democracies. Of only sixteen hereditary autocratic rulers still remaining in the world (7 Emirates, Saudi Arabia Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Brunei and Nepal) fifteen are Muslim. Most are propped up solely by US support, which seems to be gradually on the wane. All 50 have repressive laws. None has the moral high ground to demand that others change their laws.

Worst still is the track record of many countries shouting the hoarsest. The January 2006 issue of the National Geographic magazine, a generally credible publication, is an eye-opener. Of the 10 worst cases of genocide in the 20th century, 5 are by Muslim States. Mao killed 30 million of his own people; Russia under Stalin 20 million; Germany killed 11 million in the 1940's; Japan killed 10 million; Pakistan, at No. 5, killed 3 million in East Pakistan; Sudan in the 1960's and today has killed 2.8 million; Nigeria (1960's) 2 million; Afghanistan (1980's) 1.8 million; Cambodia (1970's) 1.7 million and Indonesia (1960's) 1.2 million. And while most Muslim states roundly condemn atrocities by non-Muslims in Chechnya, Kashmir and Palestine, there is sadly no robust Muslim voice condemning the on-going wide-spread killing of Christians by Muslims in the Dharfur region of the Sudan. Such double standards, of ruthless dictatorships and widespread genocide, do not lend much credibility to the voice of Muslim leaders.

Harnessing the support of the UN and the OIC is pointless. The less said about it the better. UN resolutions only work when super power interests are involved, which in this case they are not; while the total impotence of the OIC is legend.

But that does not mean the issue should be set aside. Never. The guilty must be punished. Those actually involved in this horrible deed are the cartoonists, owners, publishers and editors of the Danish paper. All Danes, Europeans, Americans, Christians, Jews, and others are not responsible. Same as we Pakistanis cannot be punished for the 3 million that Yahya Khan killed in East Pakistan.

It is not difficult to punish the actual perpetrators of the blasphemy within the law. Muslim leaders must shed their bombast and take meaningful action. Take out a million dollars from their immense hoardings. Hire a bunch of the finest, most powerful, most expensive lawyers in Europe. Mandate them to go after the blasphemers under Danish law, which already specifies prison sentences for such acts. Pursue them relentlessly, till they are behind bars. The deterrent effect of such punishments will itself restrain others from blasphemy in the future. It is most surprising that although many voices have been raised in support of this legal course of action, no one has acted.

Next, hit them where it hurts the most -------financially. Put up more money. Buy the paper. Fire every body. Hire any of the hordes of decent, capable, literate Danes to run it as a moderate and tolerant paper. That is the capitalist way, where everything comes at a price. Pay the price.

Finally, put up another ton of money. Hire the world's top media moguls. Launch a sustained, worldwide blitz to bring home to the world the correct message of peace, of love, of tolerance and magnanimity which is the very essence of Islam. After all, Muslim money sustains the monster of Al Qaeeda and intolerance. Muslim money has to change that image.

But neither fool, nor be fooled. Images can only reflect reality. It is time Muslim dictators let go and unshackle their citizens. A billion miserable Muslims living under these 50 dictators are desperate for a change. Their anger is turning more violent, with the cartoon issue acting as a catalyst. They only want freedom, a just and prosperous future for their children. And a secure world for all of mankind.

The alternative, a future of intolerance and conflict, is too horrific to contemplate.