Publication of 12 insulting cartoons of Prophet Muhammad –peace be upon him- caused a clear clash of two ideologies: theists and atheists. Under theist’s group all adherents of divine religion will be listed. Because all messengers are sent from the same God in the heaven (Allah) for a noble purpose. That is to guide mankind to the salvation by worshipping one and only One God. These messengers brought a knowledge that nobody can bring by thousands and millions of years of research. If the reward for these messengers is to humiliate them and ridicule them in public, then no wise human being will support that. On the other hand, atheists do not believe in Prophets as messengers from a divine creator. The whole story is fiction to them. They do not believe in a world hereafter. They are totally bound to this world. It is not surprise to see them ridiculing the theists.However, there is a common tool that every human being possess: that is the wisdom, reason and brain. Let me use this common machine to discuss the issue of freedom on expression.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
According to Universal Declaration of Human Rights , freedom of expression is protected in article no. 19. However, in the article preceding it (no. 18) freedom of religion is guaranteed. Here is article 18.Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.So, if any body claims the right of free speech according to article 19, then that freedom can not go and violate article 18 which is granting freedom of religion.
Is it Practical
To prove that freedom of speech is a big lie, just consider those countries who claim to express it firmly, and feel proud for that, like Denmark. Do they have freedom of supporting Hitler in holocaust? Do they have freedom of anti-Semitism? So, why do they have freedom of anti-Islamism? If supporting Hitler and anti-Semitism is a crime, then is Supporting the Prophet of Islam a Crime? Have you ever heard of ridiculing one of those powerless Kings in Europe in public press? Why it is not done under freedom of speech?The conclusion here is: those non-Muslims want to show their hatred towards Muslims, especially with the current trend of mass conversion of Europeans to Islam. They thought posting such humiliating pictures will relieve some of their anger. When Muslims protested, they raised this flag ‘Freedom of Expression’.
Limited or Unlimited Freedom of Speech
I think it is very much compatible to common sense and human nature to claim that freedom of speech works within boundaries. Truth is a measuring factor that limits the working area of this freedom. False things can not be aired under freedom of speech. If a prestigious newspaper like ‘Washington Post’ publish an article titled ‘Bush turned into Monkey’, then this newspaper must be condemned because it cannot justify publishing lies under the umbrella of freedom of press. Similarly,drawing the Prophet of Islam with a turban-bomb is unjustified because it is depicting lie to millions of peoples. The conclusion is that the most liberal democratic societies does not allow unlimited freedom of speech, especially if this freedom of speech encourages in circulating lies and false statements. And especially, if these lies are attacking the most popular religion on Earth.
Separation between Cause and Effect
One of the common excuses of these newspapers who published the cartoons is that: “We published those cartoons but we did not intend to dis-respect Muslim sentiment”. In my view, as it should be the view of any normal average adult is that it is wisdom of a child. Only pre-school children can do something silly and speak the truth saying “I did not know it’s consequences”. Then this child should be excused for telling the truth. But can we excuse those adults in Jyllands-Posten if they pour gasoline into fire and did not know it’s consequence? Can someone go into the rain and expect that his/her dress will not get wet? Can someone draw humiliating pictures of the most respected person to some group of people, and yet expect that these group of people will not get angry?
The real freedom of Speech Under Islam
Islam encourages telling the truth. Islam does not ban anyone from expressing the truth for which the whole nation will benefit. Rather Islam discourages keeping the true knowledge without spreading to the whole globe. According to a hadith, the best martyr is the one who gives his soul in telling the naked truth in front of an oppressing leader. Quran teaches the Prophet to get the opinion of his companions before deciding on any issue, thus promoting the freedom of speech in the society. There are lot’s of examples and stories when the top most person in the Muslim society (the Caliph) listened to the advice of an old lady or a street layman which was carrying wisdom and truth, and because of that abandoned his own opinion. Islam came and showed the mankind the meaning of Human Rights. Islam showed the real meaning of freedom of speech. When a person stands in the middle of a crowd and promotes the idea of assigning a false god besides Allah, then this man has no freedom of Speech. Because this man’s speech is lie, false and leads those who listen to him/her to hell in hereafter and chaos in this world. Similarly, if a Muslim stands in the crowd and gives a lecture belittling Prophet Jesus, then he is punished and he has no freedom of speech is telling a lie against one of the best Prophets of Allah.
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Indeed, We have sent down for you (O mankind) a Book, (the Qur'ân) in which there is your reminder (and Honor). Will you not then understand? [Quran al-Anbiay (21):10]
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