Minhaj Qidwai
Jylland-Posten cartoons have abused Islam and Muslims, under the veil of “Freedom of Speech” for the cheap publicity of its newspaper. However, under the current circumstances, we have to think from our brains, and not from hearts to fight this battle. Tolerance and diplomacy will be the key to success.
Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten-short form: Jyllands-Posten, and literally the Jutland Post, is the largest-selling daily newspaper in Denmark. The paper is historically known for taking a clear right-wing line. In 1920s - 1930s, the paper was infamous for its sympathy for fascism and German dictatorship. When Mussolini in 1922 became the leader of a fascist coalition government in Italy, the paper wrote: "The very strong man, that Mussolini absolutely is, is exactly what the misruled Italian people needs". In 1933 the paper even argued for the introduction of dictatorship to Denmark. With this background Jyllands-Posten in September 2005, published its 12 satirical images of Prophet Muhammad (May Peace Be Upon Him) under the veil of “Freedom of Speech”. This led initially to a diplomatic crisis, and now into a full blown between the Western world and Muslims.
The newspaper is accused of misusing the concept of “Freedom of Speech”. The resulting controversy has led to the withdrawal of ambassadors by Libya, Saudi Arabia, and Syria, from Denmark, as well as consumer boycotts of Danish products in several Islamic countries. The paper maintains it has the right to print the cartoons (and whatever else it likes), saying that Islamic fundamentalism cannot dictate what Danish newspapers are allowed to print. This opens a Pandora box for the exact meaning of “Freedom of Speech”, and to ascertain whether it has any boundaries or not. If it is boundary less, then the boundaries need to be made, to avoid such incidences, or if it has some boundaries, they should be respected.
The modern democratic system and the society in the West have given rise to freedom that it feels should be acceptable to everyone. This freedom gives right to an individual to make a conscious decision, but at the same time does not offer any boundaries in terms of morality and values. Freedom of choice has been seen in terms of nudity and vulgarity that may be acceptable in some societies and considered as freedom. However, when we consider “Freedom of Speech” that is regarded as an integral concept in modern liberal democracies, it is understood to outlaw the censorship. Although free speech is supported by international human rights proclamations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights, but they fail to implement the set boundaries for it.
The concept of “free speech” was put forward by philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859), who was a French political thinker and historian. He championed liberty and democracy. He observed that:
- it is easier for the world to accept simple lie than a complex truth
- people may be hesitant to speak freely not because of fear of government retribution but because of social pressures.
- when an individual announces an unpopular opinion, he or she may face the disdain of their community or even be subjected to violent reactions. Jyllands-Posten is facing the same reaction from not only the Muslims but also the civilized nations and the champions of democracy have also joined the bandwagon.
Tocqueville also made some famous quotes based on his theories that reflect the West in his era. Based on the relevance of current situation of the world, following are few of them:
- "We are sleeping on a volcano... A wind of revolution blows, the storm is on the horizon." (Speaking in the Chamber of Deputies, 1848, just prior to outbreak of revolution in Europe). This is also true now. We are sleeping on a volcano, and the storm is on the horizon. Not due to Communism, but due to globalization.
- "There are at the present time two great nations in the world—I allude to the Russians and the Americans—All other nations seem to have nearly reached their national limits, -----. At present, probably, there are two nations, the Muslims and the non-Muslims. All the others have reached their national limits.
- "The American Republic will endure, until politicians realize they can bribe the people with their own money."
- "Muhommed professed to derive from Heaven, and he has inserted in the Koran, not only a body of religious doctrines, but political maxims, civil and criminal laws, and theories of science. The gospel, on the contrary, only speaks of the general relations of men to God and to each other - beyond which it inculcates and imposes no point of faith. This alone, besides a thousand other reasons, would suffice to prove that the former of these religions would never long predominate in a cultivated and democratic age, whilst the latter is destined to retain its sway at these as at all other periods.". This is what the West thinks in general about Islam and the Muslims. It is this democracy that Tocqueville had proposed that Jyllands-Posten printed the cartoons. The world is under the assumption, that its form of democracy will prevail, and Islam will not. The history will reveal who prevails.
Therefore, based on Toccqueville’s views on democracy, the world moved on to implement his theocracy. However, under the current situation, the right to freedom of expression is not considered unlimited. Under the international law, restrictions on free speech are required to comply with a strict three part test: they must be provided by law; pursue an aim recognized as legitimate; and they must be necessary (i.e., proportionate) for the accomplishment of that aim. Amongst the aims considered legitimate are protection of the rights and reputations of others and prevention of defamation. "Defamation" is the term generally used internationally, but under civil law and legal terms it encompasses two basic concepts i.e. slander and libel. Under the English and American law, and systems based on them, libel and slander are two forms of defamation (or defamation of character), which is the tort (breach of contract) or delict of publishing (meaning to a third party) a false statement that negatively affects someone's reputation. Delict is a French word and a legal term, which, in some civil law systems, signifies a willful wrong, Delict as a willful wrong that the Jyllands-Posten has committed.
“Freedom of Speech” if used for the benefit and in the interest of a community, can:
- promote the free flow of ideas;
- limit the ability of the state to subvert other rights and freedoms;
- endure a system of checks and balance, therefore, good governance;
- promote a marketplace of ideas, which includes, but is not limited to, the search for truth; and
- encourage an individual to discover himself, thus helping him in the self-actualization process.
These reasons encourage us to promote “free speech”. They provide a widely accepted rationale for the recognition of freedom of speech as a basic political or civil liberty. However, this liberty needs to be checked and should remain within the parameters set by the Civil Laws. As per Theodore Roosevelt, 1908, ---- no paper published here or abroad should be permitted circulation in this country if it propagates anarchist opinions. Jyllands-Posten has promoted development of anarchy, not only for Denmark but also abroad. With the publications of the cartoons, the country’s business has dropped, it has brought shame to Denmark, and has produced law and order situation in other countries that promotes anarchy.
The controversy began in September 2005, when Jyllands-Posten published the cartoons in response to the difficulty of Danish writer Kåre Bluitgen to find artists to illustrate Prophet of Islam, in his children’s book on him. After an invitation from Jyllands-Posten for around forty different artists to give their interpretation on how Prophet Muhammad (May Peace Be Upon Him) may have looked, twelve different caricatures chose to respond with a drawing each. These twelve drawings portrayed Prophet Muhammad (May Peace Be Upon Him) in different fashions.
The drawings printed by Jyllands-Posten of Denmark insulted Islam and infuriated the Muslims. Some of the cartoons were reprinted also in other Western Democracies like France, Germany, Norway and many other European newspapers. The world in general knows that picturing Jesus is acceptable in the Christian religion, but in Islam picturing its prophet is not acceptable. The Jyllands –Posten who is famous for its notorious views in the past, went one step further, and produced drawings, which depicts the feelings of the West against Islam and the Prophet of Islam. Although Jyllands-Posten maintains that the drawings were an exercise in free speech, many consider them as provocative, racist and Islamophobic. In particular, one drawing depicting the Prophet of Islam as a terrorist, implying that all Muslims are terrorists. As explained earlier, this is not freedom of speech but defamation, and implies with delict, and can be challenged under the civil law. At another place, the Jyllands-Posten quotes Prophet of Islam as saying that “he’s run out of virgins for suicide bombers”. Is this free speech? No, it utterly disrespects the concept of “martyr” inugg Islam.
Jyllands-Posten has painted this picture of Islam, due to underlying reasons:
- For increase in sales of Jyllands-Posten:
By targeting Islam and the Prophet of Islam, Jyllands Posten can produce a controversy in the media. This will create a debate; will increase the sale of the newspaper. Furthermore, the paper’s name will be famous world wide due to the publicity.
- Lack of knowledge about Islam, and hatred for Islam:
If Jyllands-Posten and those who printed these caricatures would have the slightest idea, what martyrdom means for a Muslim, they would have never attributed the statement of the Prophet of Islam, that “he’s run out of virgins for suicide bombers”. Muslims do not die for meeting a virgin in the heaven. They die to safeguard their religion and honor. At the same time let me reiterate that, suicide is forbidden in Islam, and we cannot justify suicide bombing by any means. No one wants to die, and willfully takes the life of others. It is the circumstances that have provoked people to practice such an act.
Islam is the fastest growing religion. The news is that even the famous singer Michele Jackson is planning to convert to Islam. The West is weary of Islam, and fear that it will overtake their concepts and ideologies. Therefore, all attempts are made to disgrace it.
- Abuse of concept of “freedom of speech”:
Freedom of Speech does not say that you insult or promote hatred and racism, or defame someone. Jyllands-Posten must realize that it has abused the phrase “freedom of speech”. The proponents of “freedom of speech” International Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights, must come up and counter the racist attitude of Jyllian Post and promulgate international laws under their charter to ensure that such incidences are not repeated.
- The ongoing war on terrorism:
September 11’s heinous crime, has served many objectives of those who were responsible:
- prepared the justification of occupying of Afghanistan;
- placement of a crony to serve the purpose of those responsible (The murder of Late Afghan leader Ahmed Shah Masood was a part of the conspiracy);
- make the West believe in the propaganda of terrorism, and distribute the mortality and sufferings also among other nations.
- without a trial for those responsible for the act, Islam was targeted and demonized. It was funny to note when it was reported that, one of the highjackers’ visited a nite club before his martyrdom journey.
- coining of new terms like ISLAMISTS and Radical Islam by the neocons. Radicalism or Extremism is a term used to describe either ideas or actions thought to be hyperbolic and unwarranted. In terms of ideas, it is often used to label political ideology far away from the perceived political center of a society. In terms of actions, it is often used to identify attempts to use aggressive or violent methods to cause political or social change. However, in case of Islam, there is no radicalism, as painted by the West. Islam is a complete religion, and its practitioners are called as Muslims. There is a center of authority and guidance i.e. the Holy Quran; therefore, there are no eccentric views that we can categorize a person as a radical Muslim. Therefore, there are no Islamists or Radical Islam. It is Islam and only Muslims. The coined words are a part of charade to create a cleavage in the minds of those who do not have enough knowledge.
- provided a platform to implicate Iraq in September 11, and make it a reason to invade it.
- continue to create an aura of fear among the Americans, to justify to war on terrorism.
- For the purpose of amusement:
If the purpose of the painting the prophet of Islam to provide an opportunity for people to laugh, the purpose has not been served. Instead of amusement, it has bemused people, and flared the flame of hatred for the West. Respect of an individual’s beliefs and values is the foremost part of humanity. The press has to play a responsible role to lead from the front. The cartoons of Prophet of Islam by Jyllands-Posten were not at all for amusement, but to wash hands in the flowing water with those who have divided the global village into they and us.
- Immigrant Muslims in Denmark:
- The cartoons in Jyllands-Posten also point to the picture that the Muslims in Denmark have painted on their Danish counterparts. If any corrections need to be undertaken by the local Muslim population needs to be taken, time is now for their implementation.
Although the Danish Prime Minister has gone on public to apologize on behalf of the country, however, the Jyllands-Post has refused to apologize. This shows the cleavage between the West and Islam. The Jews have strongly marketed their holocaust and not only the Jews but also the West rebut any one who speaks against it, even of the stature of ex-Malaysian Prime Minister or the Iranian President it. They masterly utilized the media to create a wave of sympathy for themselves and finally created Israel and are ruling the world at the expense of Americans. Muslims need to do the same for their sufferings.
With the current wave of anti-Islamic depiction of Jyllands-Posten, although the Americans and Britishers did come up with the condemnation, but a Centralized action as those taken by the Jews needs to be undertaken. There are European laws against anti-Semitism, but none against anti-Islamism. These were enacted to prevent the Jews from the verbal and physical onslaught. Historically it was the Arab Muslims who provided protection to the Jews against the Christian crusaders. Now the onus is on the Jews to come forward to support Muslims against this verbal and physical abuse by the West. Will they come forward? Probably not, and the Muslims have to fight this battle lonely, and they will win only if they follow the preachings of the Prophet of Islam and have faith on Allah.
Traffic light rules are made to stop accidents. When a car crosses red light, it either gets a ticket or meets an accident. Boundaries have to be set up for all the acts that we do in our lives. Boundaryless deeds tend to create accidents. Freedom of speech is good, but it should not become an insult to others. To all those who defend print of these caricatures, freedom of speech is fine, but why use this freedom of speech to insult billions of people and make them upset?
The current trend of terrorism by few Muslims has breaded after September 11. However, this act is yet to be proven in the court of law. Therefore, Muslims as terrorists, should not be applied to the entire followers of the religion. An act of terrorism conducted by a person of any other sect is not applied for the whole followers. Same should stand true for Muslims. Muslims are being targeted presently, as they provide the best alternate path to the world. However, it is now up to Muslims to safeguard their honor and religion from the hands of those who are disrespectful to not only their religion but to a person whose name is said and written with the words “Peace Be Upon Him”.
People in the past have also insulted the Prophet of Islam, and will continue to do so
As Muslims, our Prophet has left behind his deeds for us to follow. If Muslims have to fight this war being waged on them, they have to unite as a reckoning force, both economically and politically, and take the control of media. However, under the current circumstances, we have to think from our brains and not from hearts to fight this battle.
Tolerance and diplomacy will be the key to success.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_speech
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexis_de_Tocqueville
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slander_and_libel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delict
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4675462.stm
Published February 5, 2006, Al-Jazeerah
http://www.aljazeerah.info/Opinion%20editorials/2006%20Opinion%20Editorials/February/5%20o/Cartoons%20Under%20the%20Veil%20of%20Freedom%20of%20Speech%20By%20Minhaj%20Qidwai.htm
