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Name
MD.ATAUR
- India
Profession
SOFTWARE
Question
Sir, I agree that the press should have freedom of expression, which the world leaders are talking of today very frequently includes Mr. Bush, the same leaders have imposed ban on Al-Jazeera during the gulf war when the channel was showing the real picture of the USA and allied forces facing trouble, I don't understand why the west and the USA did not remember of freedom of press at that time, why this double standards. I ask you what Christianity really teach, because the west and the USA blaming Islam for today situation, but they are responsible for today's situation. You look at the history; Muslims never hurt any religion nor their feelings. we never create the picture of Jesus (PBUH) to whom we consider as the messenger of Allah. You tell me is it justifies to play with feelings of other religion. The USA and the West is responsible for the consequences that will take place in future. Because their is a limit for tolerance. I hope you will give me the correct answer.
Answer
Imam Hamid Slimi answers:
All praise be to Allah, the Most Gracious and the Most Compassionate and May His blessings be showered on His beloved Prophet Muhammad (S) and his family.
We understand the frustration of many Muslims regarding many global issues. What we are doing here today is to discuss the issue of "freedom of expression" and how far can it go. Could it be allowed to attack other religions. As you said it yourself "look at the history, Muslims never hurt any religion nor their feelings. we never create the picture of Jesus (PBUH) to whom we consider as the messenger of Allah, you tell me is it justified to play with feelings of other religion." That is the point we want to make today. Are we free to insult and ridicule others just for the fact that we have freedom.
Freedom of expression should be guided by universal values and principles. Otherwise, this "Freedom of Expression" becomes "Freedom of Racism and Religious Discrimination and hate". To be Free to express one's opinion does not mean to have a "blank cheque" that allows any person to cause harm or instigate others to cause any kind of harm to people be it by a speech, a drawing or any other means.
Keep in mind, the cartoons do not represent the opinion of the people in the West. We have to clear this big misconception. There might be some people who cease such things to spread more hate both ways between the West and the Muslim world. We know that there is no interest for Muslims or the Western people in doing such things.
We all belong to the human family and such incidents try to break those family ties we have and it demolishes many bridges we build among different faiths, nations and ethnic groups. This recent incident draws our attention to something that has been in the hidden for a long time and all the nations must address it on the UN platform. A world consensus on criminalizing hate literature in a way it will deter those who want to cause harm to others.
Dr. Bruce Gregersen answers:
There are many different Christian groups in North America. Some are supportive to the Bush ideology, but many are not. The Christian community that I represent, the largest protestant church in Canada representing almost 10% of the population of Canada, strongly condemned the illegal war on Iraq. I believe that the true story must be told of what is happening in Iraq, and AlJazeera is one way of these stories to be told truthfully. Many people in North America do not know what is happening, because the North American press, particularly in the US, are not telling the truth.
As Christians and Muslims together we need to work to make sure the truth is known.
Name
Jacob
- Denmark
Profession
Question
Would you make a similar reaction if another religion is attacked, for example Judaism or even Buddhism?
Answer
Imam Hamid Slimi answers:
We must react against any defamation and misguidance but in a civilized manner. There must be a fruitful reaction. What happened did hurt the Muslims and I hope that people in the world realize that this issue is very deep for us Muslims.
We must stand against such things and I should admit we have to encourage our fellow Muslims to be more involved in the global issues to denounce any behavior that causes offense, disrespect, hate and division. The teachings of Islam are universal and are not restricted only to the Muslims. Justice, fairness, equality, dignity…etc., all these principles are universal and are to be lived by every human being regardless of the faith he/she has.
Having said that, We should not do the same thing and go down to the same level of ignorance and capriciousness. As Muslims, we do not repel evil with evil. Burning flags, embassies, public places, attacking Danish civilians should neither be tolerated nor legitimized. Such acts contradict the teachings of the Qur’an and Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and they only give a wrong message of what Islam teaches. Out of frustration and by virtue of being emotionally charged about the insulting cartoons, some people may resort to burning the flag of a country. This is a big insult to that country and its nation. The cartoonist does not speak on behalf of the people of Denmark. Fairness suggests that we cannot judge the people of that country as being racist or intolerant just because of the mistake of one person. As Muslims, we know what it means to be tarred with the same brush. This is counter-productive to the purpose of any protest that strives at influencing public opinion and gaining sympathy and support.
Dr. Bruce Gregersen answers:
There are statements that are and should be unacceptable regardless of who they address, and I would speak about statements that incite racial hatred. This will be true whether it is about Jews or Muslims or any other faith community. The difficulty that I had with the cartoon is not only that they are untrue or not only they are false in their depiction of Muhammad and Muslims, but they are really about inciting racial hatred and therefore they are unacceptable.
Name
Solo
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
The issue of attacking or insulting religions is hotly debated nowadays. My question is: to what extent can respecting religions be constructive in building the bridges which are necessary between people with different religious and ethnic backgrounds?
Answer
Dr. Bruce Gregersen answers:
For many years we have spoken about the importance of dialogue, that Muslims and Christians must understand each other and respect each other. I believe that this is still vitally important in our world, but more must be done. It is not enough for Muslims and Christians to understand each other; we must find ways of deeply respecting each others' understanding of who God is.
In my community, in my church, we are working to speak theologically in a respectful way that acknowledges the prophetic witness of Muhammad. We believe that Christians must find ways of affirming that God is at work in the religious life and expression of both Muslims and Christians.
Imam Hamid Slimi answers:
You have used the key word "Respect". We need to teach our children globally about respect. Unfortunately, in the education system in the world, we still have this "Us better than them attitude" which implants in the child from an early age that we are good and everyone else is bad.
The most fundamental element of relationships between human beings is respect. Without this minimum level of communication, we humans could go down to the level of animals or even worse. We would ignore ethics, morality and laws that govern our lives and make us what we are. Even if you do not agree with someone or do not believe in the same faith as him/her, you still owe him/her respect for the fact that he/she is a human and God Himself has given humans full dignity as stated in Chapter 17 V.70 of the Holy Qur'an.
Name
Arshad
- Afghanistan
Profession
Question
Why are Muslims so sensitive?
Answer
Imam Hamid Slimi answers:
Sensitivity is not a negative thing but it should be guided. Probably what you are referring to is the violent reactions involving attacks on diplomatic missions, which we do not condone and we vehemently oppose. In the Islamic law, it is clearly known and understood that it is wrong to allow such things to happen. The governments are responsible for ensuring the safety of the foreigners who have obtained visas to come to the country. They must be protected and honored not humiliated. We cannot expect to be respected if we do not treat others with respect. Unfortunately, we have found in the past that many attacks during the protests are staged and some elements try to cause chaos and defeat the purpose of making a certain point. This is something that has become common. We have to learn how to protest holding to the teachings and adab (etiquettes) of the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
Dr. Bruce Gregersen answers:
I believe that underneath much of the anger are issues of honour and respect. I believe that Muslims around the world have recognized also the racism that is part of our world and part of the policies of some governments of the world.
I know that honour is a significant and important issue in the Middle East and much of the Arab world, and that the West has failed to understand the reality of this. This is found in Iraq and in Palestine and other parts of the world, and so the anger that is being expressed is not just about the Cartoons, but it is much deeper.
Name
Abdul Basit
- Saudi Arabia
Profession
Question
Could you enlighten us on how Islam deals with religions and whether it allows ridiculing Prophets in response to ridiculing Prophet Muhammad?
Answer
Dr. Bruce Gregersen answers:
I don't believe that Christians want to ridicule Muhammad, the cartoons were published by a right wing magazine that has nothing to do with Christians. I believe that Christianity and Islam are in essence religions of peace, mercy, justice and compassion,
But there has been a tragic history of hostility and misunderstanding between the two faiths. We must find ways to move forward no longer bound by our past histories, committed together to finding new ways of cooperation and reconciliation. I believe it is possible for each faith to acknowledge that there are different understandings but that God is speaking in both traditions.
I believe it is possible for Christians to speak about the prophetic witness of Muhammad in the same way that Muslims speak with great respect about Jesus. We have different understanding of what that means, but the important point is that we respect each other.
Imam Hamid Slimi answers:
Islam is a universal deen. Islam believes in universal values and never contradicts common sense and respect. We believe that all the Prophets of Allah (including all those mentioned in the Bible) are Muslim. They believed in God and called people to worship Him and they taught the same thing to their people; to do good and forbid evil.
A Muslim would never ridicule another Prophet because that will lead him/her to disbelief. A Muslim is not considered Muslim (in a state of peace with God and the creation of God) if he/she does not believe, love and respect all the Prophets of Allah. There are many examples showing how to deal with other religions.
For instance with the Mushrikeen (Polytheists), on the issue of ridiculing them, in verse 108 in Chapter 06 Allah forbids Muslims from insulting or ridiculing the false Gods in order to offend people and the reason why they should not do so as it does not serve anything but to build more barriers of Detestation and Division.
With the People of the Book, Christians and Jews, the invitation is open for dialogue and good relationship. We are allowed to eat their food as an act of coming closer to one another and being able to share things with them. As you may know, sharing food in Arabia was a great medium in building good relationships. There are many verses stressing communication. Islam is Universal and must be explained in different universal ways.
Name
Andy B
- Denmark
Profession
Question
To what extend does the Muslim world expect the non-Muslim world to abide by the same rules that apply to Muslims?
Answer
Dr. Bruce Gregersen answers:
Each of us, as Muslims or Christians, need to work within our own countries and the legal systems within those countries. We have in Canada recently faced questions on whether or not religious laws like Shari'ah can coexist with the existing legal structure. We have not yet resolved this question.
But I do know in countries like India different legal systems work well side by side. I think that what is important is that we in the west learn more about both traditions and cultures of Islamic countries. Many people in the west know very little about the traditions.
Imam Hamid Slimi answers:
The Muslim world is not demanding that the rules of Islam apply on the non-Muslim world. There are universal laws and values that we all share whether we are Muslims or not. Fairness, justice, respect, sensitivity to the other's beliefs and values...etc.,
The cartoons certainly carried a message of hate and were meant to cause pain and they did it immensely. The illustrations were clearly misleading and misinforming the readers in a way that gives them the wrong idea about Islam and the Prophet of Islam. The conclusion one could make about the drawings is that Islam teaches, condones and encourages bombings, killings of innocents and mistreating women.
However, having said that, as a reaction:
1. We should let the author and the world know that it did hurt us and it is not a trivial thing. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him) means a lot to us. He is our model, our teacher and Guide. We do not see this as being “Freedom of expression” but rather “Freedom of bigotry and hate”.
2. We should demand an apology. If the apology is clearly made then we will accept it provided that on the same magazine the authors explicitly guarantee that this will never be repeated again whether against Muslims, Jews, Christians or any other human beings or faith.
3. We Must stress that what happened does not represent Danes and Denmark. And we appreciate the apology and as I mentioned earlier we vehemently denounce violence and attacks on diplomats and also burning the Danish flags.
Name
Nidalul-haq
- Pakistan
Profession
Question
What about attacking religions in general? Can it be justifiable under any pretext?
Answer
Imam Hamid Slimi answers:
In the Islamic history, beginning with the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), Muslims were never taught to attack any religion whether by destroying places of worship or burning books or material. Muslims' ultimate aim is to share what he/she believes is the truth, a Muslim must respect others and expect to be respected by others. Attacking religions, therefore, cannot be justified under any pretext.
Dr. Bruce Gregersen answers:
I think that we as people of faith must be willing to see that our faith can be critiqued and challenged without it necessarily meaning that God is being challenged. In other words, God is always bigger than our faith. Therefore, we must be open to expressions that challenge what we believe, but as I said in another message, it is important that this is being done respectfully and not to incite hatred.
Name
Muhammad
-
Profession
Genetic Engineer
Question
Don't you think that people who mock at others religion, beliefs, etc are still in the stone age? It's like some one who doesn't take shower for years but uses some nice perfume to get rid of the smell. They have every thing but are empty inside. I don't think there is any point of burning buildings and stuff, these fell as don't know what is waiting for them. We shall make du`a for them that Allah (SWT) gives them hidaya so that they don't die in kufr, shirk or as a munafiq (hypocrite)? Don't you agree? jazakumullah khair.
Answer
Imam Hamid Slimi answers:
I agree with you and I liked the way you put because unfortunately sometimes blind actions such as these cartoons leads only to blind reaction. It was so hurtful to some that some protests were staged to mislead them and use their anger to cause the world see a bad image of Muslims.
Dr. Bruce Gregersen answers:
I do not know the motivation of the people who drew the cartoons. Sometimes people can get an idea and follow through on it in a way that is entirely different than what is perceived by others. As a Christian I am called to be forgiving; Jesus was mocked at the cross and he forgave. Muslims too, I believe, are called to be forgiving as well. So I do not know the motivation of those who drew the cartoons, and I would hope that no further sufferings and harm to people would come. I believe that many well-meaning people have said that the publication of the cartoons crossed the line that should not have been crossed. I would hope that Muslims around the world would know that this is the feeling of many in the west.
Name
Rahma Bavelaar
- Egypt
Profession
editor/writer
Question
The discussion on the cartoons issue should move away from the realm of rights towards that of responsibilities, if we truly desire to find common ground. Neither the constant referal to the absolute right of freedom of expression or the insistence on the sanctity of Prophet Mohammed will serve this dialogue, as neither represents a principle that is shared by both sides.
I believe that what is needed is a pragmatic debate revolving around ethics and social/political stability which ultimately intends to achieve peaceful coexistence.
Please share your thoughts on this.
Answer
Dr. Bruce Gregersen answers:
I strongly agree. I believe that we are living in a world where the interests of the powerful are being served by inciting conflicts between Muslims and Christians. General Eisen Hower spoke about the military industrial complex. The power of war making machinery in the US and in other countries needs an enemy to sustain vast sums of money spent on arms. A decade ago when the Berlin Wall fell, many of us said there would need to be a new enemy to be created, and some of us feared that Islam would be identified as that enemy. We have come to see that unless we work together this will be true. Muslims and Christians must not see each other as enemies, but as the Qur'an says, the nearest in affection. We must work together to insure that the military industrial complex, the power of war making is stopped.
Imam Hamid Slimi answers:
Yes, you definitely raised a practical approach on how to deal with this crisis. There are universal values and principles that we all agree about. They should be the ground on which we can discuss and solve our problems. This will define the border lines of freedom of expressions and also how far we can go in our reaction to abused freedom of expression such as in the case of the Danish cartoon and the protests that followed it which involved acts that we strongly condemned.
Name
Mariam
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
Profession
student
Question
Salam,
First I would like to thank you for making this forum a place of dialogue, and knowledge.
Yes, the whole question of the cartoons was a bit frustrating to me, especially when the reply to these cartoons on the website of the Arab European League has been condemned, using a double standard thought depending on the origin of the cartoonists.
Frankly speaking, I am for freedom of expression, but taking account of a morality, that consists of pointing out at true problems using humor, or irony, but without attacking the dignity of someone, and worse attacking religious symbols that are humiliating its community.
I believe that governments have to reconsider the limits of freedom of expression, or better, its modalities. In the case of the Danish cartoons, I believe that the government should have presented excuses to the Islamic community, and sanction the cartoonist somehow.
Of course, according to some "intellectuals", and some public opinion, the cartoons, were a legitimate expression, that is meant to protest against problems within, and caused by some Muslims. I personally believe that this is a weak, and false reaction: the prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) never allowed injustice, and people should read the Qur'an before misjudging it, even if some Muslims committed reprehensible acts, it is never legitimate to stigmatize this to a whole religion, or community.
A Belgian professor referred to the Muslim community, as being too sensitive, under the pretext that the same type of cartoons were published on weekly basis in a paper ridiculing the person of Jesus, and that if the same cartoons were done in a weekly paper, that Muslims would get used to it!
Where are we going?!
Do you believe we should allow this? Do you believe we should take some distance as to the cartoons on our religious symbols, so we can be finally accepted as civilized, rational people? Or do you believe we should condemn all this, and thus risking to be bookmarked as "intolerant", restrictive to the freedom of speech? Salam.
Answer
Dr. Bruce Gregersen answers:
This is a very well-written question and is a question that should be considered at a larger level in our societies today. I have not seen the cartoons, but believe that the primary focus was not ridicule but racial hatred. To depict Muhammad really was to say all Muslims, and to show the bomb implied that all Muslims were terrorists. This is no different than many anti-Semitic episodes of the past in which all Jews were portrayed as being evil. We have moved in our societies in the west to see that anti-Semitic statements are wrong and must not be allowed. I believe the same would be true for this. Again the issue is that racial injustice and bigotry and should not be allowed. I believe that the response should have been, therefore, a legal one, in which the paper and the cartoonist should have been charged under laws prohibiting racial hatred.
Imam Hamid Slimi answers:
I agree with you. All this should have never happened. The issue of "Freedom of Expression" has to be addressed in the light of laws and ethics. Unfortunately, there aren't any Ethics & Laws & Guidelines of Freedom of Expression that are internationally defined and there is no formal consensus on the issue. In some countries such as Canada, hate literature is illegal and it falls under defamation laws.
Name
Shadi
-
Profession
Question
How people of faith--Muslims, Christians, and Jews--can defend their sacred and holy beliefs against insults of secularists under the pretext of "freedom of expression"?
Answer
Dr. Bruce Gregersen answers:
Laws are different in each country. I would hope that one avenue is through the laws to stop unacceptable ridiculing of religious beliefs, but the best way is likely to be through the combined statements and rejection of faiths working together, of Muslims and Christians together saying this is unacceptable.
Imam Hamid Slimi answers:
By teaching respect and good manners to their adherants.The Qur'an teaches: "O you who believe! Be not like those who hurt Moses, but Allah cleared him of the calumnies they had uttered: and he was honorable in Allah’s sight.” And then Allah set the standards of the believers by admonishing them saying, “O you who believe! Fear Allah, and make your utterance straight forward that He may make your conduct whole and sound and forgive you your sins…"
Name
Osman
- Sweden
Profession
teacher
Question
Dear sirs! How come that we don't see strong reactions and public rage when so called Christians/Muslims commit acts of terror in the name of Jesus/Muhammed(saw)? Why didn't, for example, people became furious and mass protested when a man cut the throat of an innocent person in the name of Muhammed (saw)? That should be the ultimate insult.
Answer
Imam Hamid Slimi answers:
The sanctity of human life is so important and unfortunately in today's world it has become cheapened. People have forgotten over the time the most important element of life. However, we cannot underestimate any action that disrupts any aspect of life.
Dr. Bruce Gregersen answers:
I believe that the loss of life, particularly of someone who is innocent, but I understand the Bible to say of any life, is unacceptable and wrong. Therefore, as people of faith, whether Muslims or Christians, our true anger should be directed at suffering and injustice in the world. That is where we should be together protesting and seeking a different world.
Name
Njm
- United States
Profession
Question
Why is this freedom of speech always used against Islam? Majority of the newspapers try to twist the news to always portray Muslims as bad and fighting, if they love freedom of speech why don't they tell the reasons behind the resistance of Muslims which is most of the times oppression and occupation. Can't they have the freedom to resist?
Answer
Dr. Bruce Gregersen answers:
I agree that much of the press in North America is biased against Islam. As Christians many of us have tried to work to change this. In Canada, I believe, things have improved in part because of the work of organizations like CAIR. I believe the situation in the US to be very different because of the control of media by a few right wing corporations. But I know many Christians in the US are working together with Muslims to try to change this. I don't believe that we can leave this question entirely to the media but rather must work at the grassroots level to build relationships between Christians and Muslims. I think the most important task that we can undertake is very simply to bring together representatives of mosques and churches in their communities.
Imam Hamid Slimi answers:
It is obligatory on us today as Muslims to develop our own media and as we many Muslims are willing to go and protest in the streets, they should know that the best reaction is to build strong, efficient media that addresses world issues in the language that is appropriate.
Name
Sam
- United States
Profession
Question
Dear scholar Imam Hamid Slimi, if the Danish newspaper had insulted the blacks or some other community, they would have been instantly vilified as racists. If they mocked homosexuals they would have been attacked for being homophobic. The mere mentioning of these "sacred words": “Jews”, “Israel” or the “Holocaust” leads to facing the anti-Semitism inquisition!
Despite the constant vicious media campaign, and unable to confront Islam intellectually, it has built up considerable frustration. Thus, Denmark and some of the other militant European nations have resorted to primitive vulgar criticism, in line with their crude porn-culture. What do you think Muslims can do to elevate the European from their porn-like culture so that a civilized discourse can take place?
Answer
Imam Hamid Slimi answers:
There are far more fundamental problems everywhere in the world and this goes back to a built-up history of ignorance and spiritual decadence. The Europeans need the Muslims world and the Muslim world needs the European. Mutual cooperation between Europe and the Muslim world is necessary. The bitterness inherited from the colonial age has to disappear because today we are closer to one another than ever and common sense suggests that we should treat one another as neighbour next door. We share the walls the separate us but at the same protect us.
Dr. Bruce Gregersen answers:
I agree that there is no difference between these cartoons and other expressions of racism that have been condemned in the past. I do not know how to change the cultures of European states. However, I do believe that much of the anger in those countries is connected to poverty and racism. I know that Muslims must themselves in those countries work together for change. I would hope that in many places they would experience the support of the Christian community.
