Freedom of Expression?

Freedom of Expression?

By: Khalid Baig
Posted: 6 Jumad al-Thani 1431, 20 May 2010

With the latest in-your-face act of the Facebook, the issue is once again attracting headlines. Should Muslims react? How should they react? Where do they stand on the philosophical issue underlying all this?

In the media the issue has been framed as a clash between two camps. One camp stands for freedom of expression. The other wants to curtail it. Needless to say the first camp is enlightened and virtuous. The other is a relic of the dark ages. The clash in other words is between a civilized and civilizing West and Islam that just refuses to be civilized.

Once you accept this framing of the whole issue, the outcome is already decided. Are you for freedom of expression or not? It is a loaded question, and just like the yes/no question, “Have you stopped beating your wife?” no matter how you answer it, you remain guilty.

Look at the typical Muslim response which begins, “We also believe in freedom of expression but…” It matters little what you say after that. It is obvious that you are trying to add exclusions and limitations to a basic moral value while the other side is asking for no such limits. It is not difficult to see which side will come out ahead.

But this predicament is a result of uncritically accepting a false statement about the nature of the clash. For the real clash is not between those who are for and those who are against a freedom. Rather it is between two different freedoms. On the one hand is the freedom to insult. On the other is freedom from insult. Whether it was the Satanic Verses of the 1980s or the Cartoons of 2005 and their endless reproduction since then, if they stand for any freedom, it is freedom to insult. Pure and simple. Muslims, on the other hand, have stood for and demanded freedom from insult. Nothing more. Nothing less.

These are certainly opposing values. You can be for one or the other. And the question does arise, which one is a better value.

To see that let us imagine a society that truly believes in the first as a cherished moral value. It celebrates freedom to insult and guards it at all costs. Every member of it enjoys this freedom and practices it regularly. In a business everyone insults everyone else. The boss is insulting the employees, the employees are insulting the bosses. The salesmen are insulting the customers. The accountants are insulting the creditors. Everyone is enjoying the great freedom to insult. The same is true of the home. The parents are always insulting the children. The children are constantly insulting the parents. The spouses are incessantly insulting each other. And in doing so they all stand on the high moral ground because freedom to insult is such a fundamental freedom on which the society is built.

Actually contrary to the claims of the pundits if the Western society was truly built on this “cherished moral value,” it would have perished a long time ago --- consumed by the fires of hatred and negativity generated by this freedom. No home, no neighborhood, no village, no business, no organization and no society can survive for long if it makes freedom to insult as a cornerstone of its freedoms. Clearly most who advocate this freedom do not practice it in their daily lives. But they are making an exception in the case of Islam and Muslims. The driving force behind this is not any great moral principle but a deep rooted hatred born of ignorance.

Software professionals sometimes use a term called beature. It stands for a bug turned into a feature. A bug is a defect in the software. A feature, on the other hand, is a desirable attribute. A beature is a defect that is presented (thanks to slick marketing) as a feature. Freedom to insult is also a beature. It is the growing sickness of Islamophobia in the West which is being presented as a high moral value, packaged by the slick marketing departments as freedom of expression.

Well, whether or not freedom to insult is a Western value, Islam has nothing to do with it. It lays emphasis on its exact opposite: the freedom from insult. It values human dignity, decency, and harmony in the society. The freedom of religion it ensures includes freedom from insults. While it does not shy away from academic discussion of its beliefs and showing the falsehood of non-Islamic beliefs, it makes sure that the discussion remains civil. In those discussions it wants to engage the intellect of its opponents; in contrast those who itch to insult their opponents are interested in satisfying their vulgar emotions. Thus while its most important battle is against false gods it asks its followers to refrain from reviling them. (Qur’an, Al-anam, 6:108). It also reminds them to stay away from harsh speech. “Allah loves not the utterance of harsh speech save by one who has been wronged.” (Qur’an, Al-Nisa, 4:148). Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, who is being reviled by the scum of the world, taught Muslims to never let the low moral standards of their adversaries dictate theirs.

As a result of these teachings Muslims can never even imagine insulting any Prophet --- from Adam to Moses to Jesus to Muhammad, peace be upon them all. Even when they ruled the world, Muslims treated the religious leaders of non-Muslim also with respect – even during battles. In the Baghdad court Jewish and Christian scholars engaged in open discussions with the Muslim savants. Needless to say they had not been attracted by the freedom to insult but its exact opposite. Freedom from insult is a fundamental value that assures peace and harmony. It leads to healthy societies. And Muslims are very proud of their impeccable record here.

What is true of a home or a village is also true of the world as it has become a global village. Now, more than ever before, the world needs the harmony and tolerance that can only be assured by the freedom from insults.

Ramadaan

Ramadhaan.........
Allah , The Most Wise says:
"Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain taqwaa" [Quran-2:183]

The Messenger of Allah Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said one day when Ramadhaan had drawn near;

"The month of Ramadhan, the month of blessings has come to you, wherein Allah turns towards you and sends down to you His special Mercy, forgives your faults, accepts prayers, appreciates your competition for the greatest, good and boasts to the angels about you. So, show to Allah your righteousness; for verily, the most pitiable and unfortunate one is he who is deprived of Allah's Mercy in this month." [Hadith-Narrated by Tabarani]

Statement from the Taliban

Allies no longer willing to cover up inevitable defeat
Wednesday, 11 August 2010

With the Dutch troops’ pullout, Canada has reopened talks of quick Afghanistan withdrawal ahead of the schedule as its nation strongly opposes the Afghan war and prefers a road to peace. To make the matter worse, the US’s closest ally country, Pakistan’s president was quoted in an interview published in France as saying” Coalition forces are losing war against Taliban in Afghanistan.”
As things stand, there is a growing tendency among the mainstream media to unveil the facts and figures of the
war and what is going on in Afghanistan under the cover of “War on Terror.” In parallel with this, WikiLeaks’ editor-in-chief said he would not withhold the mountains of classified information on Afghan war from disclosure under the pressure from the Pentagon and CIA, adding the massive classified information would blow the US cover and lift the lid on its covert activities in Afghanistan and the drug-smuggling from Afghanistan into USA.
On the other hand, the associated press has published a confirmed and precise report, denying the NATO claim that its soldiers killed in Afghanistan over the past nine years brings the NATO troops’ fatalities to a total of 1500 , according to the associated press count, the deaths and injuries take the NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan since the US invasion of Afghanistan to 40000 (forty thousand), bringing the US and allies soldiers killed in Afghanistan since the collapse of Taliban to 36413, and the injuries to more than 30000.
According to the associated press release, the overall number of foreign soldiers killed over the 9-year long Afghan war hits 44135, taking the injury toll to some 30000, giving no further details to determine any country with highest death toll.
In view of these facts, the western and US-influenced mainstream media confirms the report issued by the associated press.
It is believed that the US is on the verge of failure militarily and morally and every step taken by it arouses intense anger and strong resentment among Afghan nation who can never tolerate the civilian casualties in Afghanistan, and the fact remains that US is to kill friends and allies as a means of subjugation to its wills and power, at the same time, the US forces are morally bound by some of their religious circles to increase obscenity among the Afghan masses and make them show total disregard for Islam and deviation against it, and have the Afghan masses commit every wrongdoing and obscenity regardless of their religious and moral values, whereas they are not ready for the betrayal of their own religion and sacrosanctity at any cost.

It is high time the US realized the sensitivity and enormity of the situation and the fact that the victory on the ground against Mujahideen in Afghanistan is not above zero, as the Afghan Islam-loving nation has never been subjugated throughout the Afghan history which is why the brave Mujahideen have brought the coalition of 43 countries to its knee and caused the US and its allies soldiers undergo mental-healing diseases who would rather commit suicide than fight against Mujahideen.

Palestine's students call on PLO envoy to boycott South African Zionists

Palestine's students call on PLO envoy to boycott South African Zionists
Various undersigned

August 11, 2010

The following open letter was sent to Ambassador Ali Ahmed Halimeh, PLO Mission, South Africa on 10 August 2010:

We address you from occupied Palestine urging you to cancel your participation in an event hosted by the South African Union of Jewish Students (SAUJS) entitled "Towards Peace in the Middle East -- The Status of Current Democracy" at the University of the Witwatersrand on Thursday, 12 August 2010.

SAUJS is a Zionist body known for its public support of Israel's occupation and apartheid policies. We view your participation in an event hosted by this staunchly Zionist group as antagonistic to the values of our people, and it cannot be subsumed under the framework of diplomatic duties, as SAUJS is neither a governmental nor parliamentary organization.

The Palestine solidarity movement in South Africa rightly views this group as part of the Zionist lobby, which is known to work relentlessly to support Israel and whitewash Israel's crimes. SAUJS considers Zionism as one of its three main pillars -- in addition to "Jewish Identity" and "South Africa" -- as is mentioned on their website. This ensures SAUJS's unconditional support for apartheid, and Israel's killing and ethnic cleansing policies, which have led to the displacement of tens of thousands of Palestinians, and suffering caused by 62 years of ongoing Nakba. SAUJS fails to uphold values of human rights and international law as it has not condemned Israel's war of aggression on Gaza in the winter of 2008/2009. SAUJS supported Israel's attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla and described it as a "terrorist convoy" meant to deliver "weapons and explosives," which is contrary to the opinion of the international community and the United Nations' viewing Israel's attack on the Freedom Flotilla as a breach of international law.

The Palestinian Student Campaign for the Academic Boycott of Israel (PSCABI) was founded in May 2009, following Israel's Gaza massacre. Supported by all student blocks in Palestinian universities, PSCABI (which is supported by all student blocks in Gaza) called on people of conscience around the world to boycott Israeli and Zionist organizations supporting Israel's occupation, colonization and apartheid.

This past April, in commemoration of the 62nd anniversary of the Nakba, Palestinian youth issued a unified call against all forms of normalization with Israel. In this call, all major Palestinian student unions and blocks have asserted their "right to resist Israel's oppression of the Palestinian people in accordance to international law" and their rejection of normalization with Israel on economic, political, cultural and academic levels -- as normalization legitimizes Israel's oppression of the Palestinian people and provides a false sense of normalcy in the relationship with Israel; an oppressive entity which continues to steal Palestinian land, and deny refugees their UN-sanctioned right of return.

In the united call against normalization, Palestinian youth state their opposition to whitewashing Israel's public image through normalization activities, and insist on the importance of boycotting all joint activities with Israeli and Zionist groups that do not recognize the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. Such normalization activities give a false image of two equal "parties" while ignoring the root cause of the problem -- Israel's occupation and apartheid. Palestinian student groups also refuse to succumb to pressure from Israel and its apologists who often argue that we should engage in activities that "convince" Israel of Palestinian rights. Palestinian students reiterate their commitment to resisting oppression using all legitimate and legal means available to them.

The united call against normalization comes in support of the Palestinian Civil Society call for boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS), which was endorsed by over 170 civil society coalitions, networks, and unions including the coalition of National and Islamic forces, all Palestinian trade union federations, the General Union of Palestinian Women, the Global Palestine Right of Return Coalition, and the Palestinian NGO Network, and numerous other coalitions, unions, networks, and campaigns representing the overwhelming majority of Palestinian civil society.

Based on the above, we urge you, your Excellency, to cancel your participation in the event organized by the Zionist SAUJS union. Out of commitment for our inalienable rights and the unity of our people, and in rejection of dealing with Israel as a normal state rather than one of occupation, colonization and apartheid, we urge you to refrain from dealing with SAUJS and all other Zionist groups as long as they support Israel's oppression of our people.

Endorsers:

Palestinian Student Campaign for the Academic Boycott of Israel in Gaza
Al-Quds University - Student Council
Birzeit University - Student Council
An-Najah University - Student Council
Hebron University - Student Council
Bethlehem University- Student Council
Arab American University in Jenin - Student Council
Palestine Technical College in Arroub - Student Council

Afghan resistance statement

Afghan resistance statement
Response of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan regarding a picture published by Time magazine
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

August 7, 2010

Sha'ban 25, 1431 A.H, Saturday, August 07, 2010

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

Time magazine has recently published a picture of an Afghan women Aisha, and described her horrifying story which is connected to the Taliban under the title 'Afghan women and the return of the Taliban’.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan rejects this fabrication by the Americans, who are publishing these lies to divert attention of the people from their clear and disgraceful defeat.

This desperate propaganda by Time magazine has shown the whole world to the lengths which the world media will go to please America, even at the cost of their Journalistic integrity.

This picture published by Time magazine and the barbaric story wrongly attached to the Islamic Emirate is not only false, but publishing these images are against the morals and ethics of professional journalism. A lot of journalists worldwide have condemned this act of Time magazine and called it a crime against journalism.

As far as the story of Aisha is concerned, Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has condemned this barbaric, inhumane and unislamic act and declares that this case has never been forwarded to any court or persons of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan uses Shariate law to solve any internal or human right issues. Shariate laws promote peace and justice to the society, not hatred and cruelty.

In sacred Islamic law, cutting of human ears and noses whether the human is alive or dead is illegal and prohibited. In many hadith from Muhammad PBUH, cutting of noses, ears and lips of a dead unbeliever is prohibited, so how can the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan carry out this act especially when the person to whom it is done is alive and is a Muslim. Under Shariate law if someone carries out this heinous act, the same thing will be done to the criminal who has perpetuated this act.

We sympathize with our sister Aisha and call this atrocious act a crime against humanity and against Shariate law.

We call on Time and other western media to stop trampling on their own moral principles, just to hide and divert people’s attention from Americas military and political defeat by publishing such fabrications.

We also call on Afghani media to stop spreading the lies of Islam hating western media by becoming their translators. Journalism is an important duty, thus it should not be used is spreading mischief.

The Islamic Emirate Of Afghanistan

Advice - Imaam Shafi

"Whoever slanders to you about others, will slander about you and whoever reports to you, will soon report about you." (Imaam Shafi)