Ever since the Danes published the abominable cartoons of our beloved Prophet (saws) on 30 September 2005, the European newspapers observed the lack of backlash by the Muslims. Hence, I believe obtained the courage and arrogance to publish the pictures again in Norway, Sweden, Germany, France and Italy. When this issue came to the attention of the Ummah, globally, it is then that the World began to take notice of the uproar amongst the Muslims. Protests in Palestine, Iraq, Indonesia, Jordon, Syria, Iran and many more to now the protests taking place in Europe.
When I heard that boycotts are taking place of Danish goods and that the ambassadors have been recalled from those respective countries mentioned above, I sensed a different level of power Muslims had begun to act with.
Nevertheless the Danish Prime Minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, was forced to address the issue, even though he refused to earlier in September. He said “A Danish government could never apologise on behalf of a free and independent newspaper. This is basically a dispute between some Muslims and a newspaper,”
Other media publishers that printed the cartoon did it to stand united with Danish newspaper for supporting Freedom of Speech. One of the top guys at Jyllands-Posten paper, which printed the cartoons, stated that “We have a culture of satire and we apply this to the royal family, politicians, Jesus, figures from other religions as well.What we did with the Muslims is the same.”
What is pitiable is how some secularists and their likes in the publication world are now using this event as a political football to show the importance of Freedom of Speech. That it is this fundamental pillar of society where discussion and debate, tolerance and respect of each other’s view can occur and be maintained. What shocked me was the Newsnight interview yesterday, where a “Muslimah” known as an “Academic” promoted the idea of printing the cartoons. Her arguments were the same malarkey I just described above. A few questions need to be posed to those that agree for the publication of these INSULTING pictures about their tenets of their civilization:
1. If the West claims to be a civilized nation, and ensures protection of minority groups and their beliefs, does not this fiasco contradict the principle?
2. Why does the Freedom of Speech argument not be asserted when it is applied to comments of incitement to racism and Anti ““ Semitism but upheld when insulting Islam and the Muslims?
3. When Muslims want to criticize UK foreign policy, they are under the threat of being arrested by legislation currently under debate, under glorification of terrorism. Where are the ardent supporters of Freedom of Speech defending their right?
4. If Freedom of Speech is a right and a power to make a civilized nation, should it not come with responsibility?
This is one fact to show humanity, that the current prevalent system dominating the World is not competent to be viable system for humans. The further decay of secular, liberal societies where your beliefs can be mocked and potentially this act can be praised is an indication of the uncertainty and desperation we humans inhabit. Historically, when a system did exist in the past, the beliefs of religious communities were protected from such wanton disrespect. This system was the Islamic Caliphate.
February 4th, 2006 at 11:21 am
Extremists crash the party again (updated)…
This afternoon, after jumu’ah, there was a demonstration outside the Danish embassy in Sloane Street, London, which was supposed to follow a march from the “Central Mosque” near Regent’s Park. I got to the embassy around 2:15pm, to find a……
February 4th, 2006 at 12:24 pm
Assalamu ‘alaikum.
The mashed concept ‘Freedom of speech’ justifies these peoples actions.
So unfortunate and shocking to hear about the muslimah promoting the printing.
May Allah (swt) guide us all, Ameen.
February 5th, 2006 at 11:30 pm
[...] I know some of us are very angry over the depictions of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that were very offensive. With all the negative publicity and opinion thrown at Islam since the World Trade Centre was hit by planes, I’m not surprised that many of us are at breaking point. Subsequently, many innocent Muslims from across the Middle-East have been slaughtered and imprisoned. In the west, many Muslims have been attacked, ostracised, spat upon in the streets and more. I assume that for many these offensive cartoons of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) were the last straw. I was myself further disgusted today in finding that Wikipedia has now published them too. However, what I fail to understand is that for an issue that has been simmering for many months, why it has suddenly hit boiling point. Furthermore, I am unable to comprehend what purpose can be gained from worldwide demonstrations, violent protests and burning embassies in Syria and Lebanon, which Bin Laden would be proud of. I hate those that offend Islam, and I hate those that purposely bring it into disrepute also. For a people which have the fastest growing religion with such a wealth of morals and values, it is absurd that we are now known to become more outraged over these cartoons then we do over poverty, occupation, terrorism, war and oppression. What has been defined as a spirit of defiance is in fact a collective act of irrationality. We are a people that once ruled much of the world, but this current outburst of irrational emotion and activity suggests why we are now instead ruled throughout much of the world. I have read that it is not all Muslims, but just a minority that are the cause of these protests. However, selective reporting or not, it appears that a significant amount of followers have now joined in and are providing their support. [...]
February 6th, 2006 at 12:54 pm
Some journalists have made statements about Arab ignorance of European governmental involvement in the media. The argument they are making is that Arabs are so used to the press being controlled by the government of a country that they are blaming the Danish government for the actions of Jyllands-Posten. Of course this could be true for some, but that really avoids the issue at hand. It isn’t simply that the protesters want censorship of the media. They are calling for the recognition of the responsibility that accompanies all privileges.The press should not be stopped from reporting on legitimate news events, but I fail to see how these cartoons do that at all. Freedom of the press is not absolute. If the newspaper was to print images Martin Luther King as a slave under the guise of ’satire’, I’m quite certain they would be facing prosecution.
This leads to the second point:
“Certainly you have in the Messenger of Allah an excellent example”
Some people are legitimately protesting to express their love for Muhammad (saws) and to show their disgust at the publishing of these images. Others have transgressed the boundaries. In destroying buildings and engaging in violence, they have stepped outside the example of Muhammad (saws) and are giving more fuel to those who would slander Islam.
When Prophet Muhammad (saws) was insulted – as consistently occurred during his lifetime – his response was to challenge the basis of the slander. However emotive these images are, they don’t justify acting in such a manner as would take a man to Hellfire.
February 8th, 2006 at 7:00 am
We have already burn few qurans in Finland in this weekend as a support to Denmark
Finnishe media has sensored those pictures, which they took about these burnings.
Seppo Lehto – Finnland
February 10th, 2006 at 9:58 am
Lehto,
Thanks for reminding us that pathetic idiots exist on all sides.
February 11th, 2006 at 12:23 am
Just quickly wanted to comment on the double standards of the Danish Government.
In Denmark:
Section 140 of the Criminal Code prohibits any person from publicly ridiculing or insulting the dogmas of worship of any lawfully existing religious community in Denmark.
Section 266b criminalises the dissemination of statements or other information by which a group of people are threatened, insulted or degraded on account of their religion.
So basically the Danish Government had the power to prevent these picture to be published. But instead we wittnessed the arrogance of the government and repeated statement that the government cannot interfere with the media. To me this just shows severe prejudice towards Islam.
Is it a suprise the Muslims are showing there anger at the Embassies rather than just the newspaper?
February 14th, 2006 at 8:32 pm
Ok Ande Ka Phanda – this was sent to me in a text. I thought it would be nice to share:
“Here we stand all together
In this crappy British weather
Flemming Rose, the little snot
Phlegm you are, rose you’re not
Your challenge truly was absurd
Your words smelt like doggy turd
I must admit I tell a lie
Compared to you, dog poo is pie
Jyllands Posten, the new bog roll
Flush it down the toilet bowl
Danish, Spanish, Germ and French
Collectively, God what a stench”
- by Anonymous
February 14th, 2006 at 10:02 pm
hehehe
The issues raised by this event have done far more than just enrage Muslim communities worldwide. The publication of the cartoons challenge the core values of the society we live in.
Personally, I believe the cartoons showed complete disregard of a faith, were offensive, unnecessary and were used to agitate the Muslim community.
The man who decided to publish these cartoons thought otherwise, believing them to be a legitimate satirical depiction of a character from the past.
Surely this simplest difference challenges the notion of ‘freedom of opinion,’ thus exposing the fallacy of the current system from its very basis…
March 1st, 2006 at 2:30 pm
If someone owns quran it`s his business what to do it
To keep it in his own bookstore or burn it = That`s just pure choise of owner. It`s not a political issue at all.
That`s not any issue if somebody use pages of quran to wipe his ass or put it fire
March 1st, 2006 at 9:49 pm
Lehto,
I had to edit your comment, because it was incoherent. I’ve tried to retain as much of your original comment as I could, but please try to stay on topic. I fail to see how Russia has anything to do with this?
As for your point about freedom of ownership and freedom of expression, I think you’re right. Perhaps that isn’t what you expected me to say? The point is that if we all followed freedom as absolutists rather than as pragmatists, which is what you are suggesting, you are 100% correct. Of course, you mistakenly assume that we accept freedom as a basis for action. It really shouldn’t take too long for you to have a look around on the blog and see that your assumption is unfounded.
I am yet to hear a justification for your statement that “burning a Qur’an is not a political issue”. I think you’ll find that you’re mistaken, and quite possibly just lying. If it was completely apolitical, I doubt you’d be doing it at all. People have better things to do with their time and money than to buy a specific book so that they can make a bonfire. You aren’t doing a particularly good job of lying to us, and it makes you look a bit silly.
I really have little interest in how you choose to act. I am more concerned with how you make the decision to act at all. With freedom as a criterion, you are destined for failure. Let’s be clear: you are suggesting unrestricted freedom. The contradiction will naturally arise when you are faced with a clash between your freedom and someone else’s. Who decides? As soon as a decision is made, someone has lost their freedom, and again your very criterion is contradicted.