Bismika Alllahuma

I fumetti stanno facendo che cosa tanto couldn? t: Musulmani d'unificazione attraverso il globo.

D'altra parte, un numero crescere di libertà-combattenti brave, condotto dai giornalisti, stanno levando in piedi fino a? riaffermi il principio dell'espressione libera.? E i non-Musulmani stanno domandando perchè questo oltraggio unificato è un no-show quando viene alle edizioni apparentemente più importanti quali i beheadings, le uccisioni di honour ed i bombardamenti di suicide.

Come giornalista musulmano, quello lo mette in un punto duro, doesn? t esso?

Bene, non realmente.

Lasciato? la s ottiene i fatti diritti. Che cosa è esattamente l'edizione?

La carta danese Jyllands-Posten ha stampato un totale di 12 fumetti del Prophet Mohammad settembre scorso, uno mostrandogli l'uso headdress a forma di come una bomba con kalimah iscritto su esso, mentre un altro lo hanno avuto dire che il paradise sta funzionando bruscamente dei virgins per i bombardieri di suicide. Una pubblicazione norvegese ha ristampato i caricatures in gennaio e le pubblicazioni in almeno altri quattro paesi hanno saltato sul carro nelle ultime coppie dei giorni per esprimere il loro appoggio per il principio dell'espressione libera.

L'oltraggio musulmano ha stimolato le proteste, minacce di morte e di kidnapping, boicottaggi dei prodotti danesi e ghette diplomatiche. Gli alimenti danesi di Arla della ditta della latteria ha annunciato 125 licenziamenti come conseguenza del boicottaggio; i capi nazionali hanno saltato nel foray e perfino in U.N. Il segretario generale Kofi Annan ha pubblicato una dichiarazione nel tentativo di raffreddare la crisi crescente. I redattori sono stati sacked in che cosa? s vista per essere un attacco ad indipendenza editoriale.

I rapporti di mezzi sono rapidi precisare che le tradizioni islamiche vietano i depictions del Prophet. Quindi, la comprensione è che l'oltraggio è stato causato dalla negligenza apparentemente blatant per questo? Taboo islamico? dalle pubblicazioni in questione, che è perchè i reporter senza bordi ed altri giornalisti e non-giornalisti stanno resistendo a egualmente, se non combattimento, questa onda di collera.

I? la m. abbastanza sicura molti musulmani oltraggiati inoltre indicherà al quel come la fonte del loro oltraggio.

Ma chiedo: I musulmani esprimerebbero una quantità uguale di oltraggio il Prophet erano stati indicati in una luce positiva basata sui suoi insegnamenti, forse insegnando ad un terrorista potenziale a non uccidere i innocents?

Probabilmente non. 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.