A worrying trend seems to be emerging since the publication of the cartoons of Mohammed. Some muslims are calling for a ban on criticism of him as it could be construed as inciting religious hatred - they site laws that protect Jews and Sikhs as precidents. However, Jews and Sikhs are protected by law not for their religion but for their race. We all are able to choose religion (or should be able to), and that requires debate, questioning and discussion with no barriers to the nature or extent of that discussion, wheras no-one is able to choose their ethnic background. It seems to me that if you are not willing or able to defend your faith against criticism, it's not really a faith!
This is an interesting article from the Telegraph (shock horror!), which might interest you...
