CAIRO – The depiction of prophet muhammad in Charlie Hebdo’s first edition after last week attacks has touched Muslim sensitivities once again, finding themselves in a situation between rejecting the killings and accepting humiliation. Just as Charlie Hebdo has the right to publish, we have the right to peacefully challenge negative portrayals of our religious figures, Nihad Awad, National Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said in a statement obtained by OnIslam.net. The answer to speech one disagrees with should not be violence, but should instead be more speech promoting tolerance and mutual understanding. TAQIYAH ANYONE! Charlie Hebdo Defends “Right to Blaspheme” Dar Al-Ifta Criticizes Charlie New Cartoon In its Wednesday’s edition, Charlie Hebdo magazine features a cartoon of the prophet muhammad (pbuh) on the cover. The cover depicts prophet mohammed with a tear falling from his cheek, holding a sign that says, Je suis Charlie” under the headline All Is Forgiven. Awad noted that the issue is not about religion, because Islam protects freedom of speech and respectful interactions with others, even when there is disagreement. He added that after years of being insulted, defamed, attacked, mistreated, and having his followers tortured and killed by the people of Makkah, the prophet muhammad returned victorious to that city and forgave its people, then said, Go your way, for you are all free. Other Muslim leaders criticized the cover. That the depiction appears benign is of little consequence because it will be seen as offensive and deliberately provocative, Dawud Walid, executive director of the Michigan chapter of CAIR, was quoted by the CNN. On Twitter, some Muslims criticized the new cartoons as offensive, saying it contradicts with the message of solidarity it was supposed to convey. “Still confused by how supporting publishing material 1.6 billion peaceful people find personally offensive can bring anyone joy,” @LibyaLiberty tweeted. “1.6 billion Muslims want to express solidarity for a crime, and yet you are telling them that to do so they must accept ridicule. No,” she added in another tweet. Calm Other Muslim scholars seemed less angry with the new cartoons depicting prophet muhammad. Yasir Qadhi, a renowned American scholar, said hes not pleased by any depictions of the Prophet, adding that the new cover for Charlie Hebdo, unlike others, is not meant to make fun of Muslims. Qadhi also said that while he respects the right to free speech, there appears to be a double standard when it comes to what Western society, and Hebdo, find suitable for mocking. Did you happen to notice any cartoons mocking the death of the cartoonists themselves, and lampooning their work and efforts? Qadhi asked. Imam Zaid Shakir, a popular imam and scholar from California, did not wish to comment on Hebdos latest depiction of their prophet, or to pay it no mind. Let us ignore the provocations and defamation and get about the work of being a source of good and mercy to all we may come into contact with, Imam Shakir posted on Facebook this week. May allah bless you all and make things easy for you and your families during these trying times. In France, leading Muslim organizations have called for calm and respect for freedom of opinion. The French Council of the Muslim Religion and the Union of French Islamic Organizations released a joint statement on Tuesday calling for the Muslim community to stay calm and avoid emotive reactions that are incompatible with its dignity ... while respecting freedom of opinion, AAP reported.
Posted on: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 10:47:32 +0000
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