Good question:
It's (partially) about what a society is referring to when it speaks of a "loss of control".
"Westerners are brought up to think of anger as a sign of weakness, powerlessness and lack of self-control. In
Muslim culture, anger is seen as a sign of strength. To Muslims, being
aggressive is a way of gaining respect. When we see pictures of bearded
men hopping up and down and shooting in the air, we should take it for
what it is: these are the true role models of acceptable behavior."
"
In
Western culture, self-confidence is connected with the ability to meet
criticism calmly and to respond rationally. We are raised to see people
who easily get angry when criticized, as insecure and immature. In
Muslim culture it is the opposite; it is honorable to respond
aggressively and to engage in a physical fight in order to scare or
force critics to withdraw, even if this results in a prison sentence or
even death. They see non-aggressive responses to such threats and
violence as a sign of a vulnerability that is to be exploited. They do
not interpret a peaceful response as an invitation to enter into a
dialogue, diplomacy, intellectual debate, compromise or peaceful
coexistence but the opposite."
(For a more comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon and the Arab shame-honour system, read David Pryce-Jones'
The Closed Circle)
