“And let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just, that is next to piety and fear Allah, for Allah is acquainted with all you do” [TMQ Al-Ma'idah: 8]
When the cartoons where published depicting the Prophet (saw) as a terrorist, much hurt and anguish was caused amongst the Muslim community worldwide due to the honoured and loved position the Prophet (saw) is held in, so naturally it caused a lot of emotion amongst Muslims. This in turn caused a lot of protests and demonstrations, some violent but mostly all peaceful- where Muslims from all walks of life, nationalities and opinions, came together and expressed their resentment at the actions of the Media who reproduced the cartoons.
Much was made about the ‘hatred and bigotry’ of the Muslims who protested against the insult, citing the point about Freedom of speech- But the question must be asked: What was the intentions behind the cartoons of the Prophet (saw) being published?
If the intention was free debate and discussion, then Islam and Muslims would find no problem with this and would welcome the chance to engage in sincere intellectual debate with anyone. But is actually drawing a picture of the Prophet (saw) with a bomb for a turban, really about debate and discussion? Would drawing a cartoon of black people as criminals be acceptable in the name of freedom of speech? Or would a cartoon glorifying Nazism be allowed in European society? The answer is no; so how can the west expect the Muslims to sit idly by while their religion and Prophet (saw) is insulted- someone more important to most Muslims then their own parents!
Is it not the mark of a civilised society that people insult and abuse each other, nor will insulting Europe’s 20 million Muslim population (in the most grievous manner) really be conducive to a tolerant and harmonious society. Freedom of expression must come with responsibility.
In the news recently, Sheikh Abu Hamza was sentenced to jail for ‘preaching and inciting hatred’- the question arises for Muslims: “why are not the Danish cartoonists sharing the same fate?”
Why is it that supporting Iraqi freedom fighters is a punishable offence (under the terrorism act) but insulting a civilisation’s most beloved Prophet (saw) isn’t?
This clearly shows that Freedom of speech only exists for those who expression opinions not contrary to western ideas and beliefs. Muslims should wake up and see clearly the double standards of the west, and realise that the west cares nothing for that which Muslims hold sacred- we should unite and establish a state that can protect Islam and the rights of Muslims; a state that would not allow insults to Allah or his messenger (saw); a state that would be a shining example to the world of rights, progress, morals and enlightened thinking. The Islamic State (Khilafah).
“The Imam (Islamic leader) is the shield behind which the Ummah fight and protect themselves” (Bukhari)
Posted by Abdullah al Andalusi 