Charlie Hebdo has
republished the cartoons of
Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). One
central question comes with that
- that it is their freedom of
speech.
And why are Muslims offended
or Muslims should not be
offended?
Let's think of an example of
kids in the school playground.
If some kid was bullying another
kid on the name of their religion
or making fun of their Prophet,
we'll call that bullying,
which is emotional abuse. And the
kid would go to the principal,
or we will encourage for any
bullying behaviors - Report,
talk to the authorities.
The problem in this case is authorities
support this kind of abuse. It becomes,
the problem is with people
who take the offense.
So just don't buy the paper
and it is not limited to one
kid.
It is intentional hurt and pain caused
to billions of people.
It is intentional and it is abusive.
It causes psychological pain and trauma.
So who decides something
is offensive or hurtful,
the person who does it, or
the person who experiences it?
For the bigger problems,
like at this point for
cultural religious large-scale
groups who decides in that?
And I think that's where the
differentiation right now
is a Power Play.
It is a veiled way of saying I'm
dominant.
I am in power and to the
ethnic minorities in this case,
Muslims, I don't care how you feel.
If you have problem with that, just
leave. Another veiled way of saying,
go back to your country. It's all racist,
insults and stereotypes. In this case,
the bigger problem is when
institutions, politicians,
media is supporting this kind of abuse
on the name of freedom of
speech. If it is the way of life,
then why antisemite
cartoons or content is
not allowed. It is good,
It is not allowed.
Why Holocaust denial is not allowed to
be on in the media or in any form of joke.
And because that is
hurtful and insensitive.
After decades and centuries of abuse, now,
many white people are learning
that using N-word is not okay.
So that is you're censoring that
you're learning that other people have
sensitivities and you
have to respond to that.
Why painting Face black is not acceptable.
So the same way for Muslims
insulting their prophet is not acceptable
and you have to respect
other groups' sensitivities,
and everybody should respect
other groups' sensitivities.
Muslims in their Muslim
majority countries, just
because something is legal,
they should not say anything hurtful
to the minorities. And, and it is,
it is human.
It's not just based on
your one group of religion.
It's just human to be kind
and sensitive to other people.
And to challenge the
underlying assumption of
superiority that I am superior
or other cultures have to submit,
or they could just go.
So it's more understanding
each other and respecting,
and that is more of the
problem with these cartoons.
For ethnic minorities.
It caused, the pain,
definitely is quite visceral.
The person, these cartoonists,
and this newspaper insulted,
they don't know him.
Most of the information in the
West is based on the propaganda.
It is not from direct experience
or interaction with other Muslims.
So it is ignorant and there is no
effort in understanding.
There are hundreds of thousands of
Muslim physicians in West in Europe,
in America, interact with them.
Why are they not symbols of
Islam? Why is some extremists,
terrorist who Muslims are fighting first,
Why are this symbolizing
Islam and why real Muslims are
not? And that is the
anti Muslim propaganda.
And there is, there is picking
of event, anywhere in the world.
And then labeling that as Muslim,
while ignoring millions of
Muslims amongst yourselves
who make the fabric of your
community and who you are saying,
you are other. Also for freedom of speech,
where is Muslim narrative on that?
Why it is only the freedom of speech to
just offend, and in counterpoint,
there is no narrative,
our discussion back from
Muslims and also these
cartoons,
these are painful stereotypes that
many people out on the streets they
bully, but now they're being
used at a national level,
and that is not acceptable.
Of course, Muslims support,
um, that violence is not
acceptable either in this
discourse or discussion of free speech.
There is need to have a free
speech from Muslims as well.
The very people who are offended,
who are hurt in this case.
and I would invite those who are not aware
of Islam or Muslims to
learn more firsthand,
not just through the propaganda and
not through other people's biases,
but meet with Muslims in your
community, go for interfaith meetings,
get to know people, and then
you will be more informed.
What is our purpose anywhere on this
planet. It's not to fight with each other.
These actions, these hurts, these traumas,
they do not make this
world a better place.
So let's connect with each other.
Let's empathize and understand
and mutually respect each other.
And that way we make this
planet a better place.
Thank you so much for listening.
I also would invite you to subscribe
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Thank you so much.
