Apology over the caricatures of Mohammad
will Embolden Islamic movement
by Homa
Arjomand
18
February, 2006
The root of today's new row of outcry over the caricatures of
Mohammad must be sought in Yesterday's conquest 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 name of cultural relativism; brought us today's
Islamic states and daily crimes of Islamic terror throughout the
world. They brought us today's
honour killing in the Middle East and North Africa, Sweden,
Denmark, Germany, England and France. They brought us today's
Sharia court in Canada and today's outcry that threat to behead
all the ones 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 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
with 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 was 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 world wide 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 profits? 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.
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