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Apology over the
caricatures of Mohammad
Homa Arjomand
*
February 15, 2006
Apology over the
caricatures of Mohammad will persuade Islamic movement towards their agenda.
The root of
today’s new row of outcry over the caricatures of Mohammad must be sought in
“Yesterday’s
coquet”
of the western leaders to Islamists’
movement.
Yesterday’s flirt
with the leaders of political Islam; yesterday’s silence towards Islamists
network of murder, abduction, torture, suppression of political opponents,
women’s oppression and child abuse; yesterday’s policy to tolerate and respect
the backward culture under
the
name of cultural
relativism,
brought us today’s Islamic states and daily crimes of Islamic terror throughout
the world. They also
brought us today’s honour killing in the Middle East and North Africa, Sweden,
Denmark, Germany, England and France. They brought us
still
today’s Sharia court in Canada and today’s outcry that threaten
to behead
all who do not adjust to the
“rule
of Islam”:
“Kill the one who insults the prophet”. With the same slogans brought us today’s
silence.
What are the main
issues of today’s Islamists outcry over the caricatures of Mohammad?
The reality is that
this segment of society, which is well organized and is led by political Islam,
is seeking for more validation and recognition from the parties in power in the
west. (Note over one billion people believe to have Islam as their religion
whilst those who participated in this outcry in comparison were of a small
segment).
Today’s outcry is to
cause fear and intimidation amongst the main stream society. It is a struggle
for more shares of power worldwide, and possibly more control over the Middle
East. It had nothing to do with insulting Mohammad as they preached it.
Caricatures of Mohammad were only an excuse to organize an international
campaign to promote their agenda. It is an attempt to oppress, so no one dares
to oppose or criticize the crimes committed against children, youth and women
under the banner of Islam.
It is in fact the
expansion of their practice in countries so called Islamic; and to successfully
achieve it, they need to safeguard this force from the mass media. The proposal
of The OIC (Organization of Islamic Conference) to EU (European Union) is indeed
part of the plan “To adopt necessary legislative measures by the EU against
“Islamophobia” through the European Parliament. To make joint efforts by the EU
and the OIC for the adoption of a Resolution by the United Nations on the lines
of existing UN Resolution 60/150 (Combating defamation of religions) which
should prohibit defamation of all Prophets and faiths” “To adopt code of ethics
for the European media. The code of ethics should take into account the
sensitivities of the Muslims and defamation in any form or manifestation and the
core beliefs of the religions including mocking and criticizing Prophets and it
should be considered as an ethical offence in the European media code”.
One cannot ignore
the recent victory of Hamas in Palestine as part of their driving force along
with direct support of Saudi Arabia and Iran and organized outcry worldwide for
the above mentioned proposal.
Defending
unconditional freedom of expression is our duty
The outcome of
this outcry should become everyone’s concern. If we do not take it seriously, it
will persuade Islamic movement further more towards their agenda,
which is escalating insecurity in society, violating of the most human rights
and deteriorating
political,
cultural and social values.
Media claims the
fear of boycott, fear of another terrorist attack caused the spokesperson of
various governments race to apologize for the misbehaviour of their press. What
has not been mentioned is the outcome of these apologies in the near future.
These apologies pave the way for more recognition, for more enforcement of
brutal laws and tradition against women and children even in the heart of
Europe. These apologies will limit the unconditional freedom of
expression.
They will promote cultural relativism and more rights to religion putting
religion rights over individual rights. They will allow culture precede over
human rights, equality, liberty and universal rights of women and children.
We should not
compromise the general principal for individuals and civil rights. We will not
settle for less than full and unconditional freedom of criticism
whether it is of Muhammad, or any other prophets? It is our duty to not
allow any restriction towards freedom of expression. All forms of intimidation
aiming to suppress freedom of expression should be forbidden. Not only apology
should be stopped right now but also all the provoker of this outcry should face
consequences for their intimidation and fear amongst people.
_______________________________________________________
(*)
Coordinator of
International Campaign Against Shari'a Court in Canada |
