Re: Over a quarter of British Muslims have sympathy for the Charlie Hebdo terrorists
Charlie Hebdo and other self righteous groups and individuals did go out of their way to insult Muslims…
Leonard Lopate a local radio host, made an excellent point in his show a while back…
He said, when these satirists attack the Govt, when they attack the Church, or other such institution, they are usually attacking very powerful groups. The Catholic church for instance is immensely powerful and wealthy. They can fight for themselves. The cartoons attacking the Prophet however, target Muslims, especially French Muslims, who are often poor, disenfranchised and do not have the capacity to speak on their own behalf. So Charlie Hebdo, is actually mocking and harassing people who really have no voice in French society. Thats not admirable, thats called bullying.
We find this is becoming common across Europe and the US. Muslims fall victim to such attacks because they are often politically and economically weak. They are an easy target. I wouldn’t be surprised if the 24 percent everyone is so afraid off are just poor working class people, who not particularly sophisticated are very religious, and are easily exploited through such “polling.”
Re: Over a quarter of British Muslims have sympathy for the Charlie Hebdo terrorists
Reactions should be limited to peaceful protest. Ignoring stupidity like derogatory cartoons is also encouraged, and is perhaps sunnah to do so. For whatever reason, Muslims love to cite the example of the Prophet ignoring those who insulted him, and yet forget it when the example is most relevant in their own dealings.
Re: Over a quarter of British Muslims have sympathy for the Charlie Hebdo terrorists
Agreed, and such needless provocation is wrong IMO. That said, religious satire is not a crime in France but murder is. If someone does not like French laws, they are free to live in a country where the law more closely aligns with their values. There is absolutely NO JUSTIFICATION for murder/terrorism WHATEVER THE PROVOCATION.
Re: Over a quarter of British Muslims have sympathy for the Charlie Hebdo terrorists
UK has close to 3 million Musilms. I am guessing you will need to interview a few thousands more before you find someone that was part of the BBC survey.
Re: Over a quarter of British Muslims have sympathy for the Charlie Hebdo terrorists
My friend, people who were born and raised in France are French citizens regardless of their race or religion. Hence they have every right in the world to “dislike” the laws of France, as the laws are the laws of THEIR country.
If not, then the question you have to answer, is at what point do the children of immigrants in France become sufficiently “French” to be able to disagree with French laws without being deemed a “foreigner.”
Its a great injustice that people born in france to immigrants parents, by no choice of their own, are now told that if they dont like the laws there, they should leave? How absurd. If this was coming from a White person, they would label you a racist.
Re: Over a quarter of British Muslims have sympathy for the Charlie Hebdo terrorists
Fair point, and that’s why its important for these individuals to respect French law (whether they like it or not). France does not follow Islamic law, and has very strong laws protecting freedom of speech. So insulting religion is not a big deal in France. Not liking the law of the land does not give you the right to break it.
Re: Over a quarter of British Muslims have sympathy for the Charlie Hebdo terrorists
I am not going to stand here and defend French law. I am sure there is room for improvement. But I will repeat - Not liking the law of the land does not give you the right to break it.
Re: Over a quarter of British Muslims have sympathy for the Charlie Hebdo terrorists
Or get the blasphemy law changed. Am not sure about France, but in UK and US, there is a way to get the law changed. If denying holocaust can be a crime, then Muslims should work towards getting such religious satire criminalized. Violence is never an answer.
