I wanted to blog on some interesting events over the weekend, but the news seems so depressing. Having condemned the cartoons and their publications, it is only right that we now condemn some of the 'protests' that are taking place.
Let's go to England first. Inside a warehouse where some fellows in Taliban gear are debating their placards.
"I so vote for Death to the Infidels," says guy 1. "It's short, sweet and to the point."
"Let's see, how do we prove to these people who say Islam is a violent religion?" Asks guy 2, "Why, we can threaten to cut their heads off, ofcourse. That will show we are not violent."
"OK," the leader appears. "I just talked with the London police. They said we can go ahead with our 'Kill Every British' protest march."
Umm, ok, just a small question, o fearless leader. What did the British say about the cartoon controversy? The BBC? Aren't you British? Isn't your placards offensive as well? And finally, why can't you join the other thousands of British Muslims who protested the racism with dignity, honour, and peace? And to the London police - how in heaven's name can you allow this protest to occur? Great kudos to the young British Muslim man who appeared on the BBC, denouncing them and saying these protestors are part of the problem too, and other such people.
I would put these protesters and BNP leader Griffin in the same cell. Problem solved.
Next, we move on to Pakistan/Bangladesh. The company Flags To Burn is doing terrific business with their new promotion - 'Buy One, Burn One, Get One Free'. There must be one such company. How then to explain the huge amount of Danish flags to be found suddenly in the main town square? I live in the opulent West, and if I wanted a flag to burn, first I would have to hunt through the yellow pages to find out a store that sells flags, then drive there, buy the flag (and pay value added tax on top), go to a town square and then douse the flag with petrol (which I bought and also paid value added tax on top) before asking someone for a lighter (I don't smoke). Too much trouble - also probably against a dozen fire codes. And some laws, I guess. Better blog about it and go on watching Friends reruns.
See my point - where does the ordinary Liaqat Khan / Jabbar Quddus on the streets of Pakistan/Bangladesh get their Danish flags?
Moving on to Syria and the Middle East, yes, I know you guys have oil, but can we pleaeeeeeese not pour such oil on embassies of foreign countries and set them alight? Morons. If there is no embassy left where will you fax your latest death threats to? International faxing is expensive BTW. Why don't you join the peaceful boycotters of the Middle East? I am pretty sure you don't drink French wine or Danish cheese which may contain rennet anyways.
Let's not make a mount Everest out of a ski resort hill. A newspaper published the cartoons (which apologized BTW). Write a letter to that newspaper and boycott their sponsors. Ministers of some countries (such as France's Interior Minister) actively praised the publications. Fine, boycott the French (cheese eating surrender monkeys who eats frogs' legs anyways, to quote Homer). You are worried about xenophobic tendencies in Europe? Run for elections then. I heard there's huge areas with huge populations of immigrants. I am pretty sure you will get votes. They say elections have a sobering effect on hardliners. Apparently, Hamas stopped promoting suicide bombers. Every vote counts, you know.
This is one of the main reasons I did not like the movie Rang De Basanti. There is a problem with the system, and there are proper ways to try and fix the problem. The youth in Rang De Basanti chose the course of violence and to take the law into their own hands. That only creates new problems, as we are seeing here. What part of Letter to the Editor don't you understand?
It is worth noting here that most Muslims were offended at the cartoons, but they are showing the anger in a proper way. Telling other people about why they were offended. Not buying goods from countries they disagree with. Peaceful protests. Letters to newspapers. Blogs. Not burning stuff or issuing death threats or kidnapping people.
I am scared.
Tags: Islam Muhammad (S) Cartoons Denmark
The personal, official blog of author Mezbauddin Mahtab
As Muslims we are required to respect all religions, be it people who are Christians, Jewish, Hindu e.tc.
ReplyDeleteSo i’m really surprised at the pictures published in the newspaper, and also of their false nature. Maybe people should read about Prophet Muhummmad peace be upon him, and realise that he was a mercy to all mankind.
Attacking the prophet peace be upon him by drawing such pictures is attacking Muslims directly.
We dont draw pictures of other prophets like Abraham, Moses, Jesus, infact we respect them, and would never think to do such drawings.
Blog about it. Buycott goods. And remain peaceful is what I say to all my muslim friends. There are more caustic, harder hitting ways to get at these people then chanting one slogan and hoarsing your own voice or picking up a gun and redding our hands for naught.
ReplyDeleteboth sides are being ridiculous, the media who published the cartoons, and the protesters for over reacting.
ReplyDelete- Joseph.
Excellent write up. I can't get my head around the fact that people have built it up to be a bigger thing that it is. BTW you have now caricatured some of the protestors eh? LOL.
ReplyDelete- Farah.
I think, some mullahs/hardliners are now trying to cash the situation. They are doing more harm to general muslims than cartoon itself did.
ReplyDeleteMuslim: I think all muslims have been offended. But not all agree with how the anger has been shown.
ReplyDeleteReza: Peace and change of views by one's behaviour is always prefered than a false apology tendered under threat of violence.
Joseph: Right on.
Farah: Hmmm.
Anon: True that.
These so called religious leaders are just using this incident to recruit more hard-liners or at least use it as an excuse to say "see we told you, these westerners are evil". This incident is working to their advantage, not Denmark's.
ReplyDelete