Overreacting? [Archives:2006/923/Community]
By: Hope
[email protected]
I have read a few articles on different websites and I realize that most people think we are overreacting to the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) cartoons and that we do not take humor well. Personally, I don't think we are overreacting. We have taken enough “humor” directed toward our religion but there is a limit to everything.
These cartoons showed disrespect toward Muslims and our prophet and we will not accept or tolerate any kind of “humor” that mocks our prophet. We have tolerated other kind of “humor” about Muslims and Islam, but this time the line has been crossed.
Yes, there are extremists in Islam who are violent but that does not mean all Muslims are. Let's not forget that extremists exist in all different religions and belief systems. I do not need to give any examples. When we demonstrate, we do it peacefully, but only the violent ones are mentioned. Violent demonstrations regarding different issues happen all over the world. Many Muslims around the world held non-violent demonstrations regarding the cartoons, asking for an apology for this immature act.
The West is calling the cartoons “freedom of expression,” but they have nothing to do with freedom of expression because their intention was to attack. Instead of attacking us, why don't they educate themselves on what our religion is about instead of stereotyping us as terrorists? That's not “freedom of speech.” I call that ignorance.
Why is it that if an individual decided to go out in Germany with a “swastika” symbol on his shirt he could be arrested and a priest in Italy was taken to court for “enforcing” his opinions by stating that Jesus existed? What happened to “freedom of expression” there, not to mention other sensitive issues like the Holocaust?
Religion is a sensitive issue for Muslims, Christians, Jews and other belief systems; therefore, we should not cross the line by mocking prophets or holy books. The Danish press crossed that line and should apologize for its shameful actions.
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