Re: Wondering how the Prophet might have responded to the cartoons..
This is a bit off-topic. But why is it bad for Muslims to be angry about these insults on the Prophet (pbuh)?
When other religions are attacked their followers are mad too. They don't like it either. I remember when I was about 13/14 years old. There was this bald female popmusician, she had a music clip in which a picture of the pope was being torn apart. Everybody got crazy and mad. It was on the tv news, in the news papers and even though she apologised and said no harm was meant, I think she wasn't allowed to sing anymore, or something like that, I can't remember the full story anymore.
Anyway, what I want to say is, that I'm tired of hearing that we Muslims are 'not openminded', or that we have 'no sense of humor' or that we are not 'tolerant' etc. etc. etc. while every normal person from any religion would not tolerate such intense mockery and insult of their religion. This is no innocent joke. Just an excuse to pick a fight with Muslims.
Unlike what happened to that bald female singer, she was banned from singing or something like that, Muslims have not demanded that those cartoonists should be banned from making cartoons, but we are just asking their apologies and that they should stop insulting our religion. There is nothing wrong with that.
Re: Wondering how the Prophet might have responded to the cartoons..
When other religions are attacked their followers are mad too. They don't like it either. I remember when I was about 13/14 years old. There was this bald female popmusician, she had a music clip in which a picture of the pope was being torn apart. Everybody got crazy and mad. It was on the tv news, in the news papers and even though she apologised and said no harm was meant, I think she wasn't allowed to sing anymore, or something like that, I can't remember the full story anymore.
Anyway, what I want to say is, that I'm tired of hearing that we Muslims are 'not openminded', or that we have 'no sense of humor' or that we are not 'tolerant' etc. etc. etc. while every normal person from any religion would not tolerate such intense mockery and insult of their religion. This is no innocent joke. Just an excuse to pick a fight with Muslims.
Unlike what happened to that bald female singer, she was banned from singing or something like that, Muslims have not demanded that those cartoonists should be banned from making cartoons, but we are just asking their apologies and that they should stop insulting our religion. There is nothing wrong with that.
Sinead O Conner is the name u r looking for.....Irish pop singer, she may have suffered christian fundamentalism but there were no death threats, she still sings and was in her time top of the charts.
As for 'just seeking an apology' is concerned, well the Danish newspaper has already printed an apology what else are they supposed to do? Hand over the cartoonists to a Muslim court? You do not have to be a genius to figure out that these cartoons were offensive to Muslim sensibilities, but the reaction of burning embassies, torching properties, vandalism, death threats? Does that not confirm the stereotype image projected by these cartoons?
Re: Wondering how the Prophet might have responded to the cartoons..
Yes, it does. I agree, it should have been handled differently. But there were many normal protests too, without violence. Since the beginning of those cartoons there have been petitions against them, peaceful protests from different sides. The cartoonists were told peacefully how insulting they would be. Yet they didn't care and kept doing it. And now, months later we have rallies.
The smaller group of violent protesters have once again seized the spotlight, no they are given the spotlights everywhere while the peaceful protests are mostly overlooked.
Re: Wondering how the Prophet might have responded to the cartoons..
I have been wondering if the concept of freedom of Speech allows one to abuse one's mother or father and be happy with it?
One of the saying that "Your freedom ends where my nose begins" may have some answer to its limitations. One is rightful to protest and react if his person, his belief and his comfort zone is encroached upon. Protesting and reacting differs according to the nature of people, climate they live in and many other aspects.
I condemn the act of making the caricature of our Prophet (Pbuh) and condemn its publication and reproduction. Mere innocense pleaded on behalf of the cartoonist is meaningless as the damage has been done and I have been wronged.
Re: Wondering how the Prophet might have responded to the cartoons..
The smaller group of violent protesters have once again seized the spotlight, no they are given the spotlights everywhere while the peaceful protests are mostly overlooked.
I totally agree with you, initial attempts to find a peaceful and civilized conclusion to this imprnding crises was rebuffed by these so-called champions of free speech. My grudge is with the violent nature of these protests, double standards practiced by Muslim states who sit silently with pictures of Abu Ghraib and genocides in Iraq.
Re: Wondering how the Prophet might have responded to the cartoons..
Reaction from Canadian muslims:
Muslims must use cartoon controversy as outreach opportunity
Friday, February 03, 2006 3:03 pm
The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN) is calling on Canadian Muslims to use the recent controversy of the cartoon depictions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as an outreach opportunity.
Canadian Muslims can explain Islam and the reaction of Muslims to the cartoon depictions by several means, including: giving Friday khutbas, writing letters to the editor of your local newspapers, calling in to talk radio shows, sending e-mail comments or phoning in comments to TV stations, and talking with neighbours and coworkers about the incident and about the Prophet.
Here are some suggestions of what can be covered in khutbas:
What the Prophet Muhammad means to Muslims;
Aspects of the prophet’s personality;
The Messenger and the message;
Ignorance fuels adverse reactions to the prophet’s message;
How the Prophet Muhammad dealt with personal attacks:
Praying for forgiveness for the people of Taif, who physically assaulted him;
Offering kindness to abusive neighbors;
Offering amnesty to former enemies in Mecca;
Ignorance can only be countered by education and personal examples of good character;
The prophet’s love, mercy, good manners, and educational approach turned foes into friends;
Turn these defamatory incidents into a learning opportunity.
Encourage Muslims to share information about the prophet with neighbors of other faiths.
Here are some additional suggestions to the above that can be addressed in comments to the media:
Discuss why the cartoons were offensive;
Discuss how the purpose of freedom of expression is to create healthier, stronger and more diverse societies, and not to gratuitously insult and revile the deeply held beliefs of others.
Please also send a thank you note to all media organizations that have not reprinted the cartoons or engaged in equally gratuitous, insulting and defamatory coverage against Islam and Muslims.
ACTION REQUESTED:
Use the above listed talking points and follow these actions:
DISCUSS WITH NON-MUSLIM COWORKERS, FRIENGS AND NEIGHBOURS who the Prophet was and why the cartoons were offensive.
HOLD OPEN MOSQUES to explain who the Prophet was and his importance to Muslims.
GIVE KHUTBAS on the incident and encourage Muslims to use this as an opportunity for outreach and for fostering mutual understanding.
WRITE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR AND SEND COMMENTS to local newspapers, radio and TV stations. Use this as an opportunity for outreach, and remember to keep the tone of your letters and comments respectful.
SEND THANK YOU NOTES to media organizations that have not reprinted the cartoons or engaged in other offensive coverage. Let them know that you respect their right to freedom of the press and freedom of expression, and that you also appreciate that they have used those freedoms in a responsible manner to foster discussion and debate while refraining from engaging in the insults and defamation contained in the original cartoons.
Re: Wondering how the Prophet might have responded to the cartoons..
Montreal muslims’ reaction: Montreal Muslims pledge protest will be peaceful
Updated Tue. Feb. 7 2006 11:23 PM ET
Canadian Press
MONTREAL — As violent protests continue throughout the Muslim world over cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad, organizers of a protest in Montreal promise a peaceful gathering this weekend.
Said Jazari, imam of the Al Qods Mosque in Montreal, said local Muslims need a outlet for their frustration, but he said violence will not be tolerated at the demonstration planned for Saturday. “We’re trying to denounce all acts of violence, all acts of terrorism, and also condemn the caricatures against the prophet Muhammad,” Jazari said in an interview.
Salam Elmenyawi, leader of the Muslim Council of Montreal, said he has received dozens of phone calls from Muslims angry about the caricatures originally published in a Danish newspaper last fall.
But Elmenyawi expressed concern the weekend gathering could turn violent. Many of the city’s mosques will also open their doors to the public this weekend to foster understanding, he said.
“The issue is very highly emotionally charged and we do not want to risk any backlash, having seen what has happened elsewhere,” he said.