Yesterday, a self-professed Muslim from the Netherlands posted the following message in response to a roughly-drawn comic strip displaying Mohammed talking about recent death threats against people who draw pictures of Mohammed. Yes, it’s very meta, I know. But still, we got this response from the aforementioned Dutch Muslim:
“I think that the one who published this cartoon, even has nothing to do with humanity or what others fell about their relegion and their prophet. Or, he don’t care about the biggest personnality in history. In all cases he did something bad and he know this because he knew who he can feel if some one drawn a cartoon of Him in a bad way. Anyway, all i can is that i hope this person apologise to himself because he dosn’t know what he did to himself and i don’t think he will do it ,moreover a small artical saying that he was wrong to do this will be enough.
For Your Knowledge I’m a muslim and I will not do it even with your favorite football player let alone someone who is your example.
Thank You.
From a MUSLIM”
An apology? An admission of wrong-doing? Does he read this blog? Well, gosh and wool socks, we all should grow a bit, shouldn’t we? Maybe it is time that I offer a heartfelt apology and sincerely admit that I was wrong. So here goes.
I offer my heartfelt apology to those who expect me to refrain from embracing in their fictions. I’m afraid I will continue to bother you by refusing to pretend that these fictions are real. Look, it’s one thing for a community of people to believe that they shouldn’t make pictures of some historical figure they choose to worship. Y’all want to do that, go ahead: it’s your right. It’s another thing for members of that community to threaten other people with death unless they abide by a religion’s parochial rules. That’s crossing the line from oddly fascinating but certainly tolerable to really frickin’ annoying.
I was wrong, really I was, to refrain from making another poorly-drawn comic strip with Mohammed in it. As long as there continue to be people who feel it is OK to issue death threats against people (who aren’t even, let’s remember, Muslims) just for drawing pictures of some dead guy named Mohammed, it is imperative not only that pictures of Mohammed continue to be drawn, but that more pictures of Mohammed be drawn whenever attempts to enforce silence occur. Even relatively mild-mannered reproaches like that from the Dutch Muslim above need to be answered with a demonstration of continued free expression. Opponents of liberty need to learn that their attempts to control others will only backfire.
I’m really sorry that you haven’t managed to scare me and other freethinking people into putting away the pen, but gosh, that just isn’t going to happen. It must be awfully frustrating for you, and I sincerely wish to express my sadness that any actions I take might be associated with emotional pain on your part. Getting you and other intolerant fundamentalists pissed off is not my primary objective. Indeed, my goal in putting out images of Mohammed is to help you learn that your anger is not a license to kill, or to mute others. It is my hope that one day you’ll realize that your anger is pointless, and you’ll stop brandishing it like a weapon. Until then, you need to own your sense of offense and your emotional distress: you’re the one who has decided to feel the way you feel about what are objectively a few scribbles on a scrap of paper. If you want to feel better about all this, you have the power to make that happen by controlling your emotions, getting a grip, and beginning to be OK with the notion that not everybody must live by your standards. Go on, take a deep breath and give it a shot. You might like it.
I will begin to make amends for my unfortunate lack of comic production with the new comic you see to your right. The remediation of any other associated difficulties is really up to you.
To Shane the linguist.
I am sorry for not having english as mother-tongue. I don’t believe it should in any way be a factor. If you believe so, maybe you to should reconsider your syntax as well my friend. As for an actual dialogue and exchange of thoughts, I believe you have yet to prove you can do so.
I don’t defend the muslim religion in this particular case, in fact I don’t defend religion at all. What I try to point out is that this debate is not even fought on the same grounds. Some previous comments suggested that freedom of speech was predominant in importance; Is a cartoon of a Allah with dynamite in his turban something we should defend? Should we be proud of freedom of speech when its not used to actually be the forth estate, but a sarcastic Western expression of a stereotype? I’ve traveled and lived in north Africa in the past. let me tell you that I never saw people sleeping in the streets, under bridges and commiting crimes like here in America. They have a type of respect for other people we don’t have here anymore. It’s cultural and within them. Of course they’ll be upset if we demonize their God! Especialy by defending it with ”freedom of speech” when we dont even have something constructive to express and exchange.
Progressive,
My Moslem friends are telling me the problem with the cartoons is the very idea of using the Prophet as a caricature. This is the closest I can come to understanding why they are upset. There have been so many incoherent posters here, but you get the idea they want to express SOMETHING. The most common explanation they give is “how would you like it if..” which of course doesn’t mean anything to us because satire for us is a legitimate way to express political ideas. My point was that we do treat our own religious icons in this way.
Perhaps a better explanation to Moslems would be one I saw on a Moslem website. According to British law (and this was tested in the British courts recently), it is not illegal to hurt feelings. It is illegal to hurt people or property.
shane says:
I personally don’t feel that the Muslim religion is correct but everyone is entitled to their own oppion…
progressive n’ proud says:
I also don’t believe the Muslim religion is “correct†(though I suspect you didn’t mean that the same way I’m using it now). Neither do I believe that any other religion is the “correct†one. It’s that kind of thinking, “I have the one-and-only answer and everyone else is entirely wrong and therefore evilâ€, that has caused and continues to cause so much human misery. All religions have positive aspects and all are supposed to be worshipping a divine source. The latter is supposed to be the key point–so what if your neighbor’s way of doing so is different from yours…
Ok, so I will give you the fact that there are many people from many nations posting on this board; and that their knowledge of the english language may not be as good as yours or mine.
However, I strongly believe that Jesus Christ is The Way, The Truth, and The Light. So that is why I can say that I do not think it is correct. Do I believe that it would be ok for me to take some one hostage or kill them if they did feel the same?? Absolutely NOT. Jesus was the most peacefull man that ever walked the planet. So for me doing something like that would be against all of his teachings. And anyways, didn’t I say that everyone is entitled to their own opinion? I know that I did, how could you not see that? As for all religions, I honestly can’t speak. I do understand where you are coming from, and I also know enough about the Muslim religion to know that it is a religion based on peace and understanding. But when I said that “I believe it is not correct.” That is exactly what I ment. But is it not my right as a human being to have that opinion? I do have the one and only answer, but I do not push my beliefs on others and I do not judge my fellow man for not having the same belief system as I. However if my faith is put in question I have no problem with telling someone exactly how I feel. Furthermore, it is unimaginable that someone could see from my previous statement that I think that people of a different religion could be evil! My best friend is Catholic. We have discussions all the time about who’s religions is correct and why. He knows and I have told him many times in our discussions that I do not believe that Catholocism is correct. However “evil” he is not. Where you came up with that one I will never know.
So you see…. even in Christianity there is conflict. It is all about actually reading the scriptures to find out what the man that wrote them said. I guarantee that if The Muslims that plan terror and hate functions had actually read their scriptures…. None of this would even be talked about. As far as I’m concerned, they bring all the jokes and hatred they recieve from others on themselves by being ignorant of their own religion.
shane
it is amzing no one in the conversation told about the nature of the normal form of the other animal human,, he is in the proud of he is some thing,,
the funny thing you have no idea what is happening with you, then where is the time to think about muhammed and jesus and buddah,, why you cant be a budha or jesus or muhammed why are you people crying behind this people, be secure your self and build your self , never waste time for others name,,
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This is in reply to the the reply given by American Mick where he has shown knowlegde of Islam be refering to different instances in the history of Islam where peace was advocated and particulary told me that Abu Bakar (R.A.U)told the muslims to learn to forgive others whevnever some gross offence was inflicted.Let me float this piece of information to him that forgiveness in this particular case was never advocated ;infact even if a Muslim’S parent dared to say anything against the Prophet (P.B.U.H)he was killed by his own son.The love muslims bear for the Prophet(P.B.U.H)far exceeds the love of our own family menbers.So they there is no need to make starements anD quote instances of forgivneness without full knowledge of Islam.Let me tell u that burning flags and effigies is nothing actually the offenders should be brutally put to death and no one asks the Damned danes for apology ;just wait and let the Muslims get their hands on them and give them the worst of deaths.
Tayyaba Haq
I expect Muslims will be equally angry if a cartton was made to insult moses or jesus or portrayed them as terrorists.
In general I believe that making fun of other people religions is very uncivilized.
let us share the godness of all religion instead of sharing hatred and diversity>
in all I was touched by your decision. you set foroward an exmple to follow in hope of staring a new page in human relation.
Ok i tried to read the whole thread from the top down, but almost fell asleep half way through…
i must have skipped a large number of posts before writing mine..but i do have a point i need to make clear:
In Islam, if you allow other people (whether muslims or not) to break the rules in front of you (drinking alcohol, not respecting fasting times,…) you will be committing a sin yourself…why you ask i am sure…well the answer is quite simple, when you are following the rules, praying, fasting, refraining from alcohol and whatnot, seeing some1 breaking them makes them much harder, thus the person with a weak will might break the rules him/herself. this is one of many reasons, but the most logical one for people who are not muslims.
this exists in many countries, where drugs are illegal for example, or drinking in public while walking on the street is illegal…its not a form of dictatorship, but a way to ask people to respect other ppl who do not wish to break the rules, or to follow the sweet path of the forbidden things.
About the damned comics, in Islam, Jesus and Moses are Prophets as well, and very important (parts in Qoraan are about them and about the Virgin Mary), having drawings of them, whether comic or not, in Islam is Blasphemy (spelling)
The reason for that is that God did not create a way for us to actually capture the actual figures and appearances of these prophets, he had his reasons, from what I understand, the reason could be to prevent us from saying this prophet looks better than the other one, or to say this race is more important (redheads better than blonds, or black better than white, the list goes on…) for this reason, you notice that in movies like “The Message” which is partially about Islamic history, does not show the face of Prophet Mohammad.
Bottom line is, Muslims try to enforce the rules not to repress anyone, but because if they dont in their wn countries where they have the power, its a sin for them… and about the making fun of a Prophet, well it is considered blasphemy and a huge insult to people who acknowledge your holy people as their own Prophets and have very much big respect for them.
So i beleive the whole riot thats happening started in a simple manner,where Danes were asked to remove it, they refused and started picking on Muslims…i am sure the consequences were quite normal.
Take it on a personal basis, if someone draws a nude portrait of your mom, sister, wife, lover screwing an elephant, pig, or whatever…(the point is majorly insulting for you personally) , and publishes it, you ask them to remove it, they publish it more, and declares in public that you are a fol and makes more fun….what do you do?
Its true what they say: Best way to deal with Bullies is to stand up and say NO until they back off…
No self-reflection there on “bullies,” Wassim.
You go right ahead and draw pictures of my Mom screwing a pig. I have enough confidence in my beliefs and my family to shrug it off.
yes Jim, butunfortunately not every1is as confident as you are.
which is a reason why when people cuss each other, especially with words that could inflict something bad to the parents like SOB, Bastard and such, would 80% of the times cause fights.
Maybe you belong to the mature 20% who would just tell them “whatever, shut your yap and get a life” but others do take it seriously…
this goes to various topics like sexual embarrassment , discrimination, racism and others…
Point is: the public usually puts laws and unspoken rules to be considerate to the most sensitive (in a logical and rational way), to protect almost everyone and prevent fights.
Words don’t inflict anything bad. People’s behavioral reaction to words is what causes harm.
just like when you say: guns dont kill men, men kill men (or smthn like that)…
its not an accurate saying, to every action there is a reaction, i am sure you agree. so if you can stop your actions, the reaction wont even exist, thus wont harm or bother anyone…
and by the way, if u recall what exactly happened, it was comic strip -> people asked nicely to remove it -> some refused -> then the whole riot happened.
so it was a chain reaction somehow…
let me ask u this, i u gave a friend that u supposidly respect, and u do smthn that really disrespects him and disparages him… and he tells you what effect it has on him….wouldnt u do smthn about it? or at least stop it? or just go on pushing all his buttons until he snaps?
If my friend snaps and burns down buildings and kills people because I say something, then there is something wrong with my friend.
A word is not a gun. A word is not a bullet.
If I’m wrong, if a word is a gun, then let me say this: Wassim, it enrages me to the point of setting off nuclear weapons that you ever open your mouth. Isn’t it your responsibility never to open your mouth? How dare you open your mouth?
Get it?
hehe this made me smile.. no offense
anyway, the point i was trying to make by the whole “gun hurts” saying was about the behavioral reaction that you were talking about. and am talking in more depth than simple aspect of words and guns…
and if u say smthn wrong to ur friend, no he will not make nuclear weapons, he will simply push u, u push back, one thing leads to another…. hey “world war was caused by a slap ” … so basically it all comes down to, dont disrespect people’s views and beleifs, if u cant really pay the bill… right?
But you’re disrespecting my point of view, aren’t you? By your own logic, you should be quiet and not risk offending me with your point of view.
Obviously I don’t believe you should be quiet. Obviously you don’t believe you should be quiet. Why do you think I should be quiet? Because it’s OK to possibly offend my sensibilities, but it’s not OK to offend yours?
The one thing lacking in the “Muslim” world is a sense of humor. It would behoove them to develop one since they are such a laughable bunch!!!
I guess if you can’t laugh at yourself, you have to kill others by cutting their heads off.
Faith is a personal business, whatever yours may be. By demanding others to share yours , your cheapen what you believe. Surley God is a big engough boy to take care of himself. He certianly has a sence of humor… he created man, with enough awareness to know he exists, but most don’t understand why!
Other peoples opinion only matters, even in matters of “religion” if you think it matters. Other than that it’s just Blah blah blah. If your sure enough to know something is true, what does and idiots opinion matter?
When you let someone elses opinion matter, its because you’re in doubt.
No insult hurts as much as the one that hits the mark!
but again we go back to the point of in islam itself, its a sin to let others blaspheem in front of you and not do anything about it. so ppl reacting in a shushing way is a way to prevent their own selves from sins and such..
Muslims have a sense of humour… ever watched axis of evil, borat, minority rules..? just an example of many..
but just bcz one thing for them is a red line and they are oversensitive about it… doesnt make them bad people and have to be challenged by the rest of the world and what not…
besides, i go back to another point, respect other people’s sensitive buttons, and you will not have to go through the whole fights and whatnot…….
But you haven’t respected my “sensitive buttons” by keeping your mouth shut, have you?
There are lots of groups that say it is a sin or forbidden in some way to “let others” do things. For the Chinese government, it is forbidden to “let others” criticize the government. Do you think the Chinese government is wise to forbid its citizens from criticizing it?
I wouldn’t use the words “Ppl reacting in a shushing way” to characterize rioting, burning down buildings and issuing death threats.
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u
why you americans and europeans think that you all know everything?
is it so difficult to respect someone who is believed by billions of people?
are the ones who draws this comics too intelligent?i mean are these comics too funny?
these billions of muslims doesnt draw anything that can hurt somebodys feelings about religions..jesus ,moses tec..are all believed by muslims but why mohammad (s,a,v) not by others?
just some respect!
its sure false to theraten this comic drawers and so..its sure all wrong..
? ju st say some respect!