It has been a week since the horrific massacre at the political satire magazine Charlie Hebdo and the Kosher supermarket in Paris. The world came together and condemned the killings. Sadly, the killers justified their attack in that they avenged the honor of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). I doubt that they ever studied the life of the Prophet.
The last Prophet (like other prophets before him) was not only insulted all his life but also abused and threatened physically. His response every time was to forgive. My favorite saying of him is "Even a smile is charity".
He had said,"charity is prescribed for each descendant of Adam every day the sun rises." He was then asked: “From what do we give charity every day?” The Prophet answered: “The doors of goodness are many…enjoining good, forbidding evil, removing harm from the road, listening to the deaf, leading the blind, guiding one to the object of his need, hurrying with the strength of one’s legs to one in sorrow who is asking for help, and supporting the feeble with the strength of one’s arms–all of these are charity prescribed for you."
I am disgusted that the killers took the name of my prophet before committing their heinous crime. This act was even more insulting to the Prophet and his followers than the Charlie Hebdo cartoons. Besides condemning this act and repeating the fact that Islam prohibits killing of innocent in strongest of the terms (Quran 5:32), I am not sure what else, a run of the mill or if you want to use media defined "moderate Muslim" like me can do. Should Lassan Bathily, the hero of Kosher supermarket, be referred as a "Moderate Muslim"?
I have been reading, listening and watching all the pundits talk about freedom of expression and virtues of the Western values (supposedly they are in contrast to Eastern/Islamic values) with the banner "I am Charlie" in their hands. Rupert Murdoch, the owner of the Fox Network tweeted informing the Muslims that you are all responsible for this. I am not sure who should we assign responsibility to all the lives lost in recent unjust wars, maybe to the pencils being thrown from the drones?
Contrary to what some might claim, never there has been a complete and utter freedom of expression anywhere in the world. Just look at the reaction in France, a comedian has been arrested for an offensive post on the facebook. In 2009, Charlie Hebdo fired Maurice Sinet for a cartoon that he drew which was insulting to Jewish people while facing charges of “inciting racial hatred” under French laws.
God has honored every human being, so let's live and let others live a dignified life. Let's not insult or vilify others and their faith. Even Stephen Colbert sets a limit (listen from 2:25) on what he thinks is sacred and should not be mocked or insulted. West and East share same common human values and preserving them is our best hope for the future.
Freedom of expression comes with responsibility. Freedom of expression does not grant free pass to indecency and insults. Pope Francis balanced it perfectly when he said that killing "in the name of God" is wrong, but it is also wrong to "provoke" people by belittling their religion. He further said if you use a swear word against my mother, then be ready for a punch back. So sorry Charlie, I am with the Pope on this one.
The last Prophet (like other prophets before him) was not only insulted all his life but also abused and threatened physically. His response every time was to forgive. My favorite saying of him is "Even a smile is charity".
He had said,"charity is prescribed for each descendant of Adam every day the sun rises." He was then asked: “From what do we give charity every day?” The Prophet answered: “The doors of goodness are many…enjoining good, forbidding evil, removing harm from the road, listening to the deaf, leading the blind, guiding one to the object of his need, hurrying with the strength of one’s legs to one in sorrow who is asking for help, and supporting the feeble with the strength of one’s arms–all of these are charity prescribed for you."
I am disgusted that the killers took the name of my prophet before committing their heinous crime. This act was even more insulting to the Prophet and his followers than the Charlie Hebdo cartoons. Besides condemning this act and repeating the fact that Islam prohibits killing of innocent in strongest of the terms (Quran 5:32), I am not sure what else, a run of the mill or if you want to use media defined "moderate Muslim" like me can do. Should Lassan Bathily, the hero of Kosher supermarket, be referred as a "Moderate Muslim"?
I have been reading, listening and watching all the pundits talk about freedom of expression and virtues of the Western values (supposedly they are in contrast to Eastern/Islamic values) with the banner "I am Charlie" in their hands. Rupert Murdoch, the owner of the Fox Network tweeted informing the Muslims that you are all responsible for this. I am not sure who should we assign responsibility to all the lives lost in recent unjust wars, maybe to the pencils being thrown from the drones?
Contrary to what some might claim, never there has been a complete and utter freedom of expression anywhere in the world. Just look at the reaction in France, a comedian has been arrested for an offensive post on the facebook. In 2009, Charlie Hebdo fired Maurice Sinet for a cartoon that he drew which was insulting to Jewish people while facing charges of “inciting racial hatred” under French laws.
God has honored every human being, so let's live and let others live a dignified life. Let's not insult or vilify others and their faith. Even Stephen Colbert sets a limit (listen from 2:25) on what he thinks is sacred and should not be mocked or insulted. West and East share same common human values and preserving them is our best hope for the future.
Freedom of expression comes with responsibility. Freedom of expression does not grant free pass to indecency and insults. Pope Francis balanced it perfectly when he said that killing "in the name of God" is wrong, but it is also wrong to "provoke" people by belittling their religion. He further said if you use a swear word against my mother, then be ready for a punch back. So sorry Charlie, I am with the Pope on this one.
Not a conspiratory theorist, but seems unimaginable to me for people to kill others in the name of the prophet who never avenged himself against insults and torture during his whole lifetime.
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