No Laughing Matter
Some cartoons are just not funny. And I'm not talking about "Nancy". The recent caricature of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) has ignited the issue of religion vs. freedom of speech and I really felt the need to try and clear some misconceptions that have cropped up with this issue.
I guess the first question is, Whay all the commotion over a caricature of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). Any pictures of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) is forbidden in Islam because the Prophet instructed his followers not to allow any pictures of him to be made so that his followers would not go astray by idolizing him and in the end worshipping him and not Allah*, Muslims hold the Prophet very close to their heart and have the utmost respect for him but we do not believe him to be God.
Now is this a restriction on freedom? We all know that freedom comes with responsibility and I see a lack of that in this instance. Maybe the cartoonist or the newspaper representatives did not know that such depiction of the Prophet would unsettle nerves in the Muslim world. However, there are certain reports that claim that this entire episode was orchestrated but since I don't know the details I do not want to comment. I think religion is a subject over which people should think twice before making any sort of comment.
The next main question is the nature of protests by the Muslims the world over. I am completely against the way the protestors have reacted. Endangering civilian lives and destruction of property is against the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). There are other methods that they could have been adopted. According to me, a hunger strike would have been the best form of protest. Maybe we could learn a thing or two from Gandhi. I feel Muslims need to control their hot headedness in such situations cause in the end it makes it even more difficult for people to understand Islam as a religion of peace.
Theres another point I want to make. Islam does not ask people to make fun of/ insult any person's religion/ belief. I feel Muslims need to object on all those cartoons and episodes jesting the God's or prophets of other religions. If there's joke on Buddha, muslims should protest. If someone insults the Prophet Moses (PBUH), muslims should object. There are numerous instances of jokes on the Prophet Jesus (PBUH). I find it astonishing that no muslim objects to this because he too is considered a messenger of Islam. I've actually laughed alot on jokes made on followers of other religions but this incident has made me realize my mistakes and I've taken a personal decision not to let any person put down any one else's religion/ belief.
*I guess you were wondering why I put this asterix against the word "Allah". The reason is that I want people to know the correct definition of the word. In simple terms, Allah can be defined as God but since there is alot of mischief that can be done with this word (eg: made into plural, feminine gender etc.) we prefer to use the word Allah. We also use the term "Rabb" for Allah. There is no proper equivalent for the word "Rabb" in the English language. It means the One and the Only Lord for all the universe, its Creator, Owner, Organizer, Provider, Master, Planner, Sustainer, Cherisher and Giver of security.
I guess the first question is, Whay all the commotion over a caricature of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). Any pictures of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) is forbidden in Islam because the Prophet instructed his followers not to allow any pictures of him to be made so that his followers would not go astray by idolizing him and in the end worshipping him and not Allah*, Muslims hold the Prophet very close to their heart and have the utmost respect for him but we do not believe him to be God.
Now is this a restriction on freedom? We all know that freedom comes with responsibility and I see a lack of that in this instance. Maybe the cartoonist or the newspaper representatives did not know that such depiction of the Prophet would unsettle nerves in the Muslim world. However, there are certain reports that claim that this entire episode was orchestrated but since I don't know the details I do not want to comment. I think religion is a subject over which people should think twice before making any sort of comment.
The next main question is the nature of protests by the Muslims the world over. I am completely against the way the protestors have reacted. Endangering civilian lives and destruction of property is against the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). There are other methods that they could have been adopted. According to me, a hunger strike would have been the best form of protest. Maybe we could learn a thing or two from Gandhi. I feel Muslims need to control their hot headedness in such situations cause in the end it makes it even more difficult for people to understand Islam as a religion of peace.
Theres another point I want to make. Islam does not ask people to make fun of/ insult any person's religion/ belief. I feel Muslims need to object on all those cartoons and episodes jesting the God's or prophets of other religions. If there's joke on Buddha, muslims should protest. If someone insults the Prophet Moses (PBUH), muslims should object. There are numerous instances of jokes on the Prophet Jesus (PBUH). I find it astonishing that no muslim objects to this because he too is considered a messenger of Islam. I've actually laughed alot on jokes made on followers of other religions but this incident has made me realize my mistakes and I've taken a personal decision not to let any person put down any one else's religion/ belief.
*I guess you were wondering why I put this asterix against the word "Allah". The reason is that I want people to know the correct definition of the word. In simple terms, Allah can be defined as God but since there is alot of mischief that can be done with this word (eg: made into plural, feminine gender etc.) we prefer to use the word Allah. We also use the term "Rabb" for Allah. There is no proper equivalent for the word "Rabb" in the English language. It means the One and the Only Lord for all the universe, its Creator, Owner, Organizer, Provider, Master, Planner, Sustainer, Cherisher and Giver of security.
posted by FRZ at 8:39 PM
6 Comments:
Interesting perspective Faraz. I have a few comments.
The polarity in mindsets between the Islamic world and the West broadens each day. There is no denying this. Expecting Muslims to acknowledge free speech in this context is impractical, unrealistic and probably not the smartest approach. Likewise, as you have pointed out, violence achieves nothing. Rather, it only broadens the divide, fosters more hatred and puts us back a couple of steps.
Obviously there has to be common ground in the form of compromise. This is where it is esential to recognize that this issue goes beyond the context of cartoons and theology alone. In the context of globalization, there are critical lessons to be learned on both sides if we are to achieve anything positive down the road. Today its cartoons, tomorrow its something else.
My sense is that the western world must respect the difference in cultural, political and religious perspectives when defending something as fundamental as free speech. I personally wouldn't take offense to Lord Krishna being ridiculed in cartoons but the rest of my country would. If we are to bridge this divide in mindsets then the west much use "freedom of speech" responsibly. I personally don't think the cartoonist did anything wrong, but 30% of the worlds population does. What makes this hard for the west to comprehend is everytime an incident occurs the Islamic world buys into violence.
This motivates my next point. In this day and age of globalization, the Islamic world must recognize that blind submission to traditional authority is a backward mindset. If a revered Mullah condemns an action by the West (cartoon, war, media..whatever) the immediate response from the masses cannot simply be angry, violent protest without any dialogue. One must learn to think for oneself and form one's opinion before blindly submitting to authority. This is where education and literacy come in. The Islamic world (especially Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan) are in dire need of leaders who recognize the need for reform. This includes tolerance of other mindsets, belief systems and doing away with oppresive regimes.
I wish to quote Thomas Friedman (NYTIMES) from an interview he did last year that addresses the broader issue which is the root of the problem:
" The second largest Muslim Country in the world is not Iran, not Saudi Arabia, not Pakistan. It is India. We know that Al Qaeda is a Noah's ark of Muslims all over the world, but none of them are from India. Maybe there are, but none have manifested themselves. Why is that? Could it be becuase the richest man in India is a Muslim software entrepreneur, Azim Premji? Cound it be because the president of India is a Muslim? Give me a context in which yound people see that they have a chance to have an entrepreneurial idea and start one of the biggest companies in the wolrd. Give me a context in which anyone can aspire to the highest offices. Give me a context in which people who have a legal dispute can get it resolved in court - and not have to bribge a hudge with a goat. And guess what- they don't want to blow up the world; they want to be a part of it. When I was in India after we invaded Afghanistan, there was a debate on Indian television between the leading Muslim cleric of New Delhi and the country's leading female movie star. The cleric called on all Indian Muslims to rise up and join the jihad against America. The moviestar basically told him to shove it, live on Indian national TV. Why did she do that? Becuase she could. She lives in a context that empowers her and protects her as an Indian Muslim woman to do that - to fight the war of ideas. She didn't do it because she read American propoganda. It sprang from her soul. That is what changes the world. Things will change if we have little Indias in every one of the Arab countries."
This religion issue is just something beyond my understanding. I have seen muslims who take great pride in their religion (nothing wrong with that), they boast how followers of Islam are the only ones who actually practise their religion in todays world, while other religions, specially christians, have abandoned their whole belief system in the name of convenience.
This i dont agree with. Islam cannot, and im sure is not, the way so many of these followers interpret it. It cannot be about fighting, it cannot be about suicide.
Which brings me to my next confusion. surya says islam needs reform. correct me if im wrong faraz, but isnt innovation/change/reform of the Quoran prevented in the Quoran? muslims the world over will see a sign which tells them that now is the time for change, or something to that effect?
But if muslims the world are feeling the wrath of the most countries in the world, to an extent, coz of their own fault, maybe it IS time for a change. This could be the sign. Any terrorist in any fictional movie, book or even cartoon is always a muslim. I dont like such reference, but i can see where it comes from.
and i felt the west handled this in totally a wrong way. you had countries like germany and even switzerland printing cartoons, after this whole incident, in the context of freedom of speech. they just didnt need to do that.
back to work now...
yes karan ur right. The Quran does not allow innovation because it is decreed in the Quran that it is the last and final guidance for mankind. Allah says that He will protect the Quran from corruption and manipulation which is why there are no versions of the Quran. There may be slight variations in translations but the Arabic version of the Quran has not changed since the day it was revealed. Now the question is not whether Islam should reform itself as the media would like to have you believe. The first question is are the followers of Islam following their religion as per the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). The answer is no. If you think the Muslim world is divided form the west, it is also important to note that muslims are also divided amongst themselves. The other question u ask is regarding the violence. Nowhere does the Quran advocate endangering innocent lives, and civilian property. What the Quran states is that if someone oppresses you or insults your religion, you should fight back. However, I have said that the protests were not done appropriately. There are other. more civilized ways to protest.
Lastly if your going to say that Islam should change, I first recommend that you study Islam rather than comment from outside the fence. Only if you try and learn maybe some questions will be answered. And the best place to look for the answers are in the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)
Faraz
When I suggested that reform is key, I wasn't saying Islam as a religion should change, I meant Islamic society and governments in Islamic countries should change. There is a vast difference there. Now, if one argues the latter is not possible without Islam changing then certainly this is a matter for Muslims to discuss. I am by no means commenting on the religion changing, though there are those who feel this is a necessity for Islam to better integrate itself into modern society. I disagree. Rather, I am suggesting the need for the basic tenets of a modern day, democratic society to be upheld from China to Alaska, the Arab world included. This includes freedom of speech (with responsibility), equal rights for women, tolerance of other cultures and religious/political affiliations aka secularity and the list goes on. Again, I shamelessly cite India as an example. No doubt, we have had our issues with religious tolerance in the past, but we have come a long way in this regard.
I watched an interesting debate on this issue on TV last night. Two well informed, educated ambassadors of the Arab world and two prominenet newspaper editors from Europe participated. I won't go into details but it was obvious that the debate this has spurred is, dare I say, a necessary evil because global leaders and average individuals alike are having to address the question "where should the line be drawn as regards free speech, if at all?". Myriad perspectives on the table adds richness to this debate. With dialogues come hope and improved cultural understanding of these polarized mindsets. That said, it is necessary for the west to distinguish between Islam and Islamisists, just as it is necessary for the muslims to distinguish between all westerns and those who are looking for political domination of the Mid-East. Only then can productive dialogue happen. Without this, the gap will only keep widening.
Where the Islamic world starts to loose the debate is when they go beyond the peaceful dialogues and protests and subscribe to violence. In the eyes of the west, cartoonists should not need to "run for their lives" because of something they published in a newspaper. A democratic system questions the interpretation of the law or the law itself through voting, legal debate and reform not through threats and violence. The idea that people should put religious laws before secular laws in dicating our actions is flawed.
"and i felt the west handled this in totally a wrong way. you had countries like germany and even switzerland printing cartoons, after this whole incident, in the context of freedom of speech. they just didnt need to do that."
My response is that in the context of free speech in today's world to print, does not mean to endorse. They are presenting what is the most widely debated issue in the world today.
Maybe this will add some perspective:
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2006/781/in2.htm
More than me, I think Muslims need to read the Quran and understand what it says. Like you say, Islam does not preach violence, and tho i have never read it, Im sure it doesnt. Then its followers need to understand that, rather than persons "on the other side of the fence".
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