PARIS,
February 8, 2006 (IslamOnline.net) – The West’s handling of the
Danish cartoons crisis with the Muslim world has exposed its double
standards when it comes to the freedom of expression, prominent French
writer Eric Geoffroy criticized on Tuesday, February 7.
"When
it [the West] tackles religious issues or values, then it is freedom
of expression but when Muslims do the same then it's a reprehensible
conduct," Geoffroy told IslamOnline.net.
"What
do you call such an act? It is double standards in the broad sense of
the word," said Geoffroy, an expert on Islam and Sufism who
teaches Arabic and Islamic studies in the University of Marc Bloch in
Strasbourg.
He
served some criticism for Arab and Muslim countries over respect of
freedom of expression.
"Freedom
of expression, no doubt, is not respected in some countries that call
themselves ‘Islamic,’" said Geoffroy.
"But
the West also does have its own invincible methods of
censorship."
Twelve
cartoons of a man said to be Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings
be upon him), first published last September by Denmark's
mass-circulation Jyllands-Posten and then reprinted by several
European dailies, have caused an uproar in the Muslim world.
Several
European newspapers entered the fray last week by reprinting some or
all of the blasphemous cartoons, including the French daily France-Soir
and Germany's Die Welt.
Some
said they were printing the cartoons in support of Jyllands-Posten,
while others said they were used to illustrate articles on the
dispute.
"Insignificant
Values"
The
author of several books and many articles on Islam, Geoffroy believes
that the "unharmonious" secular West is comfortable with
violating religious or moral values.
"Some
Westerners have no boundaries or criteria when it comes to
religions," he added.
"Hence,"
he added, "we can understand that values have become meaningless
in the Western viewpoint as those Westerners question or mock
everything of noble or sacred nature."
Geoffroy
attributed this largely to nihilism, a philosophy which gained ground
after the period during which the Christian current dominated the
West.
He
said the West should give a second reading to the role of media in
circulating stereotypes.
"The
media should at least steer clear of inciting hatred, which is
considered an offense in France."
“Intolerant
West”
The
French expert said the West is in no position whatsoever to accuse the
Muslims of being intolerant.
"Some
newspapers which published the cartoons claimed that they were testing
the boundaries of free speech in the Muslim and how tolerant Muslims
are," he said.
"The
Islamic culture needs no lessons in tolerance from the West and
history stands as a witness.
"The
truth of the matter is that the West has proved intolerant when it
went on publishing frenziedly these cartoons, paying no heed to the
sanctity and sublime values of the other," said Geoffroy.
"In
contrast, Muslim countries -- though they do have their own
shortcomings –- do not attack sacred and religious figures of the
West," noted the French intellectual.
He
went on: "The West, unfortunately, doesn’t remember the famous
philosophy: ‘one's freedom ends where other's freedom starts.’
He
asserted that one must respect the other to enjoy his/her right to
free speech.
Geoffroy
described Prophet Muhammad as a great man, noting that Muslims hold
him in high esteem just like other prophets.
He
cited, in this respect, a verse from the Noble Qur’an about Prophet
Muhammad which reads: "We sent thee not save as a mercy for the
peoples."
