18th February 2006

Cartoons, Western Freedom and Prophet of Muslims

by Abdul Aleem -- Source: www.dawn.com

After the mischievous publication and republication of the blasphemous sketches of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) in many European countries that have incensed the Muslims all over the world, the offenders seem largely unrepentant. They keep stressing that freedom of expression is a sacred right of the western peoples, which allows them to publish such material or speak their minds.

Over a year ago, two incidents had happened in Britain that show the selective application of this western principle. In one case, during Mr Blair’s election campaign, the Labour Party had published an ad that showed the then leader of the opposition, Mr John Howard, who is Jewish, as a pig with wings but having Mr Howard’s head. The British Jews reacted angrily, saying that a pig is considered unclean (non-Kosher) under Jewish dietary laws, hence this was an insult to them for which those responsible must apologize. Mr Blair had immediately done the needful.

In the other episode, the mayor of London had likened the Jewish reporter of a British newspaper who had been pestering him, to a "(Nazi) concentration camp guard." This, too, had caused uproar in the Jewish community and it had wanted him to retract his words. The British premier had also joined them by asking the mayor to apologize. However, when it comes to the Muslims, the western leaders and the media are generally quick to apply a different set of standards.

Likewise, a couple of years back, the then prime minister of Malaysia, Dr Mahathir Mohammad, had caused a storm in the West by criticizing the Jews, although his words were true and he had also praised the Jews for their many positive accomplishments. Similarly, there was an outrage in the US and Europe when the Iranian president recently suggested that the Holocaust did not actually occur and that Israel should be shifted to Europe or Alaska, etc. In fact, many other people, including some American Jews, have since long expressed their doubts about the Holocaust.

Why is the right of freedom of expression not available to others? The Al Jazeera office in Afghanistan had been “mistakenly” attacked by American forces and its reporter injured around 2001 after coverage had been given by the news channel to the Taliban and Osama bin Laden, in addition to presenting the western viewpoint. Recently, there has been a news leak that Mr Bush and Mr Blair had discussed the possibility of bombing the Qatar-based channel’s headquarters as a punishment for exercising its freedom of expression.

However, when US Gen Boykin and some evangelists had insulted Islam, its Prophet and even their God (Who is actually the same for everyone) over a year ago, neither Mr Bush nor anyone else had reprimanded them or asked them to apologize.

Western newspapers that have published the sacrilegious cartoons have displayed their utter ignorance about the real nature of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). However, the intolerance or violence this implies is completely false, as can be seen by just a couple of sayings of the esteemed Messenger: "When the bier of anyone passes by you, whether Jew, Christian or Muslim, rise to your feet." He had also asked his followers to help the oppressed people, whether they be Muslims or non-Muslims.

If the media personnel had taken the trouble to educate themselves about Islam and its Prophet, their misunderstanding and resultant stereotyping, leading to the needless bitterness and turmoil we are witnessing today, would not have occurred. At the same time, one would like to advise those Muslims who have resorted to violence to shun it and, instead, present the truth about their religion in a wise, peaceful and friendly manner by following the Holy Prophet’s teachings in letter and in spirit.