Bismika Alllahuma

Karikaturen tun, was so viel couldn? t: Vereinheitlichende Moslems über der Kugel.

Einerseits eine wachsende Anzahl von tapferen Freiheitkämpfern, geführt von den Journalisten, stehen bis? versichern Sie die Grundregel des freien Ausdruckes. nochmals? Und NichtMoslems wundern sich, warum dieses vereinheitlichte Verbrechen no-show ist, wenn es zu den scheinbar wichtigeren Ausgaben wie beheadings, Ehrentötungen und Selbstmordbombardierungen kommt.

Als moslemischer Journalist setzt das mich in einen haltbaren Punkt, doesn ein? t es?

Gut nicht wirklich.

Gelassen? s erhalten die Tatsachen gerade. Was ist genau die Ausgabe?

Das dänische Papier Jyllands-Posten druckte eine Gesamtmenge von 12 Karikaturen des Prophets Mohammad letzter September, einer, ihm das Tragen zeigend die headdress, die wie eine Bombe mit geformt wurden kalimah eingeschrieben auf es, während andere ihn hatten, zu sagen, daß Paradies kurz von den Jungfrauen für Selbstmordbomber läuft. Eine norwegische Publikation druckte die Karikaturen im Januar neu und Publikationen in mindestens vier anderen Ländern einstiegen in das Geschäft in den letzten Paaren von Tagen, um ihre Unterstützung für die Grundregel des freien Ausdruckes auszudrücken.

Moslemisches Verbrechen hat Proteste, Entführung- und Todesdrohungen, Boykotts der dänischen Produkte und diplomatische Gamaschen angetrieben. Dänische Molkereiunternehmen Arla Nahrungsmittel hat 125 vorübergehende Entlassungen resultierend aus dem Boykott verkündet; nationale Führer sind in den Beutezug und in sogar U.N. gesprungen. Generalsekretär Kofi Annan hat eine Aussage herausgegeben, um die wachsende Krise abzukühlen. Herausgeber sind sacked gewesen in, was? s gesehen, um ein Angriff auf redaktioneller Unabhängigkeit zu sein.

Mittelreports sind schnell, zu unterstreichen, daß islamische Traditionen Beschreibungen des Prophets verbieten. So ist das Verständnis, daß das Verbrechen durch die scheinbar krasse Mißachtung für dieses verursacht worden ist? Islamisches Tabu? durch die Publikationen in der Frage, die ist, warum Reporter ohne Ränder und andere Journalisten und Nichtjournalisten gleich widerstehende sind, wenn nicht kämpfend, diese Welle von Raserei.

I? sicheres m recht viele verletzte Moslems zeigt auch auf dieses als die Quelle ihres Verbrechens.

Aber ich bitte: Würden Moslems eine gleiche Menge des Verbrechens waren der Prophet gezeigt worden in einem positiven Licht ausdrücken, das auf seinem Unterricht basierte und möglicherweise weisen würden einen angeblichen Terroristen, an Unschuldige nicht zu töten?

Vermutlich nicht. Yes, there might have been some disappointment over the depiction of the Prophet, but it wouldn?t be anywhere near what we?re seeing now.

Thus, the main issue here isn?t the depiction of the Prophet, but rather, the depiction of the Prophet in an incorrect and dishonest manner.

As a journalist, I truly value our freedom of expression and as my colleagues on this message board know, I attempt to stand by that principle whenever possible.

We all know that the right to free speech is an integral element of a democratic society. Those of us living in democratic societies enjoy that right on a daily basis.

However, no right is absolute. There are always limitations and exceptions.

I can express myself by screaming, for as long as I wish, but not to the detriment of my neighbours. Similarly, I can publish whatever I want, as long as I don?t tarnish anyone?s reputation by spreading lies or promote hatred against anyone.

I can even publicly express damaging, unflattering comments about someone, as long as they?re in the public interest and I don?t do it with malice.

The cartoons of the Prophet , especially the one with his headdress shaped like a bomb, can be given three general interpretations in today?s context:

a) He was a terrorist.
b) He supported terrorism.
c) Islam is a religion of terrorism, since he symbolizes the religion

Anyone who is familiar with the life and the teachings of the Prophet knows that he was not a terrorist. There is no such thing as a terrorist Prophet and if there was, it would mean he and his followers would live to terrorize others, which we know is certainly not the case.

Yes, he did lead and fight in battles. But since when did fighting wars become terrorism? If that?s the case, any leader that takes his nation to war should be considered a terrorist.

As for the second interpretation, once again, anyone who is familiar with the teachings of the Prophet knows that he did not support terrorism. He forbade the killing of innocents and even ordered his followers not to kill
birds and other living creatures unnecessarily. And even though the Makkans had terrorized him and his followers, he did not retort with the same when he conquered Makkah later on, nor did he let any of the followers terrorize anyone either, even as victors.

As for the last possible interpretation, once again, if anyone studies the teachings of Allah and the Prophet Mohammad in their entirety, they will know that Islam is not a religion of terrorism. It?s just not true. Yes,
there are groups and individuals who attempt to justify acts of terrorism through Islam, but that does not mean that Islam is a religion of terrorism. If it was a religion of terrorism, Muslims throughout history would have been terrorists, which just isn?t the case.

Therefore, we can conclude that if the cartoons are interpreted as a) and b), they are slanderous and libelous, or if they?re interpreted as c), they promote hate by branding all followers of Islam as terrorists, and since no
one likes terrorists, people will naturally be led to hate Muslims.

This issue is not about Muslims hating freedom of expression. Rather, it is about the abuse of the freedom to spread hate and fuel stereotypes.

There is no doubt that the cartoons were originally published with malice and spite, to spread stereotypes and provoke a group that has already been victimized as a whole for the actions of a few.

But that?s not the only reason for the outrage.

The level of love and sentimental attachment many Muslims have for and with Mohammad is unparalleled, and may in fact be very difficult to comprehend for non-Muslims.

Think of your dead parents or grandparents that you loved dearly. If someone were to slander them publicly and make a mockery of them, how would you feel? Would you not react angrily and defend them?

You probably would, except the chances of anyone paying attention may be slim, since you would be alone, or perhaps have the support of a dozen or two people.

For Muslims, their beloved prophet has been slandered and mocked. He is not here to defend himself, so his followers have taken on the task, out of their love and devotion to him. What we see now is the result of compounded anger, which isn?t always expressed in the wisest manner, especially when emotions are running high.

The issue of incorrect attribution is an important one. If Osama bin Laden was the subject of the cartoons, hardly anyone would complain. Thus, it must be understood that Muslims are not attacking freedom of expression. Rather, they are reacting to hateful, mean-spirited distortions.

As for the question about why Muslims are so sensitive about cartoons while they don?t speak out against other seemingly important issues, the fact is that these cartoons of the Prophet have struck a common, emotional nerve across the Muslim world, while unfortunately, there is no unanimous agreement on the other issues, with which some Muslims obviously do not have a problem since they take part in or support those actions, such as beheadings, honour killings and suicide bombings. It doesn?t make it right, but that?s the reason behind the muted or disjointed response.

Some have complained about the boycotts in response to the cartoons. What?s wrong with Muslims exercising their freedom of choice? Boycotting is a common tactic for expressing displeasure, even if it doesn’t directly affect those at the root of the displeasure.

In fact, in 2004, a group of Americans residing across the border from the Canadian town of Nelson, British Columbia threatened to boycott the town if it went ahead with the construction of a monument to U.S. Vietnam War draft dodgers. The construction of the monument was a form of expression, yet the town was threatened with severe economic repercussions if it had gone ahead with the construction of the monument. It didn?t.

Publishing and protesting are both forms of expression, and they must both be exercised within reasonable limits.

Muslims deserve an apology. And they seriously need to learn how to contain their emotions and express their displeasure using non-violent means. But as long as the incorrect analysis of the issue as a ?freedom of expression vs. Islamic stigma? battle remains, I’m afraid the vicious cycle of publications and protests, and more protests and more publications, will continue.

Taken from sunniforum.com, published with permission.