Traveling to Southeast Asia? Take Care...

If you read carefully, the headlines are broadcasting a warning you may need to heed if you're headed for Southeast Asia. The world media printing and reprinting of cartoons targeted at the Muslim world that could, by any stretch of the imagination, be considered racist and culturally offensive, has kindled protests and violence in the Middle East and Asia; an embassy was burned in Lebanon and the Danish government has issued travel warnings to Danes for 14 countries, according to the BBC.

Greg Carey, About's Guide to Asia, reminds us that 3/4 of a billion Muslims live in southern Asia and says in an article today, "Travelers from the Southern Philippines to Dubai should be aware that they could find themselves caught in a tense situation overseas if a newspaper from their home country reprints the offensive cartoons while they happen to be traveling for pleasure or business in a country with a large Muslim community." Though the US media appears to be avoiding printing the offensive cartoons, Southeast Asia may be a place to exercise travel care at the moment. We also need to remember never to paint an area or a group with one brush.