[Futurework] Reverence for Prophets, Freedom or Press and World Peace

[Ed Weick]

The following piece was written by a friend, a Muslim, who is as disturbed as many of us are about the stupid and insulting cartoons published in European newpapers and the violent reaction to the cartoons in the Islamic world.  For the time being, my friend does not want his name or other particulars about him put forward, but I will say that he is a highly intelligent person who has had a dintinguished career in the public service and academia.  Any comments on the piece can be sent to me and will make sure that he gets them.   Ed          BALANCING  REVERENCE  FOR  PROPHETS, FREEDOM OF PRESS  AND  WORLD  PEACE   As a Canadian of Islamic faith, I am tormented and also puzzled to watch the wide spread anger and resultant violence over the publication of cartoons insulting to our beloved Prophet Mohammad. Some in the Western World especially in Denmark, France and Italy, argue and rightly so, that freedom of press is one of the core values of a truly democratic society. Consequently, an elected  government such as that in Denmark, is duty bound to safeguard that freedom.   No one can deny that a free press is the life blood of a healthy democracy as it acts as a watch dog for protecting our liberties and freedoms. However, it is very strange that segments of the press so often choose highly provocative and destructive ways to assert such freedom. Making fun of religious leaders and to throw mud on founders of great world religions does not seem to be the most desirable way to promote or to confirm freedom of press.   There is ample evidence that contrary to the prevailing belief in some Muslim circles, the mass media in Europe and also in North America has been equally if not more, UNKIND to people of other faiths including Christians and Jews. In recent past, some European newspapers and TV stations have printed material and shown unflattering pictures and caricatures of Jesus Christ. Naturally, such acts have been highly offensive to people of Christian faith.   Fortunately, people living in liberal and secular democracies recognize the need and importance of free speech and have cultivated a high degree of tolerance for those who may have extreme, opposite and even offensive views. However, this is NOT an integral part of the culture of people living in a vast majority of Arab/Islamic countries.   People in most of these countries are ruled and controlled by unelected rulers who use fear and merciless oppression to govern their people. Opportunities for organizing civilized public discussions, open dialogues and to accept honest disagreements are not available to ordinary citizens. The only outlet for expressing anger and outrage is to protest against others and especially those who are perceived to be enemies of Islam or “ Islamic Values”.   Considering that some European countries and especially France has experienced wide spread public unrest and violent demonstration by Muslims protesting the banning of hijab, it seems unfortunate that a Danish newspaper decided to publish insulting material about Prophet Mohammad. Even more disturbing are the quick follow-ups by newspapers in France and Italy in reproducing the same material.   These actions are bound to be offensive to millions of Muslims around the world and cannot be considered as good steps just to prove that the Western Press is free.   People in Europe and other countries of the free world already know that their press is free. Some people in the United States have been arguing that the press has more freedom than necessary.   In case the Western media is trying to send this message to Muslims masses it  seems pointless as a vast majority of Muslims already know that there is much greater degree of press and personal freedom in Europe as compared to what they have in their own home lands.   That is why so  many Muslims and their families continue to  leave their ancestral countries for a better life in Europe and North America.   Given the opportunity many more people from Arab and Islamic countries including some from the oil rich Gulf region, will migrate to the West.            THE MUSLIM REACTION IS AS EXPECTED.   As expected, many Muslims and especially those in the troubled Palestine, protested loudly, emotionally and violently. As has been the case involving past such reactions, anger over Salman Rashdi’s book entitled “ Satanic Verses”, Muslims may once again do more harm than good to their cause as a result of their over reaction to the publication of these offensive cartoons.    This time again, unruly Muslim crowds poured into city streets to express their outrage and vent their anger at the West in general and at the Danish government in particular. Some religious fanatics and imams are quick to take advantage of the raw emotions of demonstrators by condemning the whole European continent and the “Western Society”.   Undoubtedly, this ugly situation is not helpful for enhancing world peace and for fighting the menace of international terrorism. Osama Bin Laden and company will try their best to exploit this unfortunate incident and many innocent people, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, may bear the resultant tragic consequences. It is time for the political and intellectual leaders in the Arab and Islamic countries to come forward and inject a dose of sanity to diffuse this erupting volcano.   To start with, let us recall how the Prophet of Islam reacted when he faced similar situations. As recorded in Islamic history books, after receiving divine message from Angel Gabriel, Prophet Mohammad stayed in Mecca for about thirteen years preaching Islam. During this period, the Prophet and a small number of his followers suffered constant humiliation, ongoing insults and even torture inflicted on them by Mecca residents including some of Prophet’s own relatives.   The situation became so unbearable that Prophet Mohammad and his companions were forced to migrate to the City of Medina. He was warmly received there and was able to establish quickly a strong community and an Islamic state.   Having gained the needed strength, The Prophet and his supporters returned to conquer the City of Mecca which they were forced to leave earlier.   As every adult Muslim must know that the first action Prophet Mohammad took after defeating the people of Mecca was to forgive them all. This conciliatory step was taken to ensure that all inhabitants of Mecca whether Muslims or non-Muslims could live in mutual peace and harmony and work together for building a better future.   This noble example emphasizing forgiveness, tolerance and harmony among the people of different faiths must be remembered and faithfully followed by all Muslims.   As a Canadian of Islamic faith, I find it very repulsive to see other Muslims burning the Danish flag, damaging foreign-owned property and threatening the lives and safety of Europeans and other foreign guests. Such actions are as totally reprehensible and unacceptable as the cartoons were published by a Danish newspaper and not by the Government or the peace-loving Danish people. It is unfair, unjust and also un-Islamic to blame every diplomat, a whole nation or an entire continent for this despicable action by a newspaper.   An overwhelming majority of Europeans and indeed all the people living in the West, are highly civilized, caring and sharing people. Whether it is sufferings caused by a tsunami along the Indonesian coast or an earthquakes in Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the bulk of foreign assistance in cash and needed material has been donated by the kind, generous and gentle people of Europe, The United States and Canada.   Muslims should not forget that Canada, the United States and every European nation keep on welcoming thousands of displaced Muslim refugees from war-torn countries such as Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan.   Muslims have every right to complain and protest against any ugly, biased and tasteless attack on our religious beliefs or our beloved Prophet. However, we must always remember our civic duty to obey all laws of the country we choose to live and prosper. The best way to protect our faith is to love our country, respect fellow citizens  and promote peace and mutual tolerance at home and abroad.

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