Berlin court allows Prophet (PBUH)’s cartoons to be displayed at rally
The administrative court in the German capital ruled that the group, Pro Deutschland, could brandish copies of Danish cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) first published in 2005 which sparked violent protests around the globe.
Islamic law prohibits depictions of the Prophet (PBUH).
The court said it “rejected the urgent complaint filed by three Islamic mosque congregations to prevent the ‘citizens’ movement Pro Deutschland from showing so-called Mohammed caricatures in front of their premises during demonstrations on Saturday”.
It said the cartoons were protected as “artistic freedom” and could not legally be considered as abuse of a religious group.
“Simply showing the Mohammed cartoons does not qualify as a call to hatred or violence against a specific segment of the population,” the court said.
Police are bracing for clashes at the Berlin demonstrations after violence during similar protests by the extreme right against the Islamic Salafist community earlier this year in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
COMMENTS (83)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1731325890-0/trump-(24)1731325890-0-270x192.webp "trump threatens 100 tariffs on brics nations over us dollar concerns")
1732954110-0/Untitled-design-(13)1732954110-0-270x192.webp "bashar al assad s forces lose control of majority of syria s aleppo province")
Pakistani cyber experts are on the cyber war against them
Shame on those who say they are in favour of peace
@Devil
Calm down, and think for a second. Have you ever studied Islam, read the quran? If so, then you would no that quran is the religion of peace, god says in the quran "if you take the life of an innocent human being, it is as though you have killed the whole of humanity, and if you save the life of an innocent human,it is as though you have saved the whole humanity. And brother did you know that in the quran, it says bible is the word of god, however we do not follow it anymore because it was for people at the time of Moses, Jesus, and Abraham (pbuh all). We respect and love all the prophet you do too, such as Isaac, jacob, joseph, jesus, ishmael, David etc. We can not be true muslims until we love and follow prophet jesus pbuh. We follow the teachings of the prophet jesus, and Muhammad, he said do not consume alcohol, we don't but christians do, he said do not eat pork, yet you still do, he said to cover your wifes, yet only your nuns are coverd.We are the same religion, but the church has misunderstood, and if your a true christian do you even know what the original language of the bible was? I suggest you go find out, and read the old uncorrupted bible, and inshallah it will show you light. Hint* the bible was written in a form of hebrew.
court judgment supposed to be sensible in every country .... now court have justified some future killing already..... knowing that many innocent going to be dead they give this issue (((court support ))) ............. i would say aggressive decision
@G. Din: So simple highly respected sir when you say blasphemy for the Islam and Islamic sacred personalities is the freedom of expression for the non-muslims then the muslims do have the equal rights to blaspheme any non-muslims' religions and religious personalities......
@Ahmer Ali: What can I say when what I say is not allowed to reach you?
@kashif saif dhillon: Thats a nice threat
Simply, it is not reflection of “freedom of speech” rather an official persuasion to allow non Muslims people to abuse Muslims’ faith. So it is more than evident that even the most developed nations are not yet civilized enough to respect the all Prophets who taught patience, codes of life to entire humanity. One day such events will lead to major wars among the religions, So please respect every religion.
@John B: If you have preserved the cartoon made by a non-Christian cartoonist as an impression painting and printed in ET, I suggest you do away with it as a mark of respect and reverence to Jesus Christ (AS). Have you seen the trilogy of "Meet the Parents," Meet the Fockers," and "Little Fockers?" The canine pet is named after Musa (AS). Being reverential and respectful to the Prophet of Allah, I did away with that trilogy. It stars Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman and others. I still regret it. (Please, see the quote below).
@Mj: It is pretty obvious that other commenters have not understood what the meaning of respect for religions and beliefs is. The request we make is that they know what is "Siratum Mustaqeem," which is also present in their religions and belief albeit in different words, and not to let "freedom of speech" runaway with their thoughts.
To quote: “With publicity comes humiliation.” Tama Janowitz, U.S. author. Quoted in International Herald Tribune (Paris, September 8, 1992).
The Messengers of Allah Allmighty brought His Message to humankind and these messages are meant to be respected, revered and observed. The interpolation that has taken place in the Bible over the centuries by the priests has led the judge of the mark. The changes in the Bible during the apartheid in South Africa were so intense, that it made the non-white population believe they were inhuman. The German court has no right in allowing 'artistic freedom' of this kind. The judge should have refused to hear this case. Salams
Show the drawing; I want to make up my own mind.
I remember having a conversation with a Danish friend about the cartoons. He was shocked at our flag burning reaction. I explained to him that our people are very sensitive when out comes to religion so you guys should not have made the cartoons. He argued that its freedom of expression. I told him freedom of expression is an excellent thing, but if its hurting the sentiments of other human beings then the freedom is being misused for the wrong reason, and that is not right. So then he said yes now I respect that and I apologize to you if the cartoons hurt your feelings. I smiled back and said no worries I wasn't burning the flags anyways.
The sad part is that while the danish man himself was able to understand this much (because he was genuinely unaware of our situation), back here in pakistan we have these oh-so-enlightened wannabes and self proclaimed humanitarian jokers, who it seems don't have respect for themselves or the values if their society. I'm tempted to say "parhay likhay jahils".
I'm wondering how no one has dragged AQ Khan in this issue :P Berlin Courts are not the real issue, as I strongly belief no act of human can harm the Dignity, Rank, Respect and credibility of our Holy Prophet (PBUH). "We" and our conflicts are the real porblems.
Here comes the violent reaction from Pakistan: Kill Christians in Pakistan!
Religion is how its followers follow it. And Muslims are not setting great example/ Let them first learn to respect other religions. Pakistani muslims in particular should learn to respect other religions and not publicise likes of Maya Khan and her religion converting devices on TV/
I am living in the west and I seen people in universities ridicule Jesus all the time. They look down on religious people as gullible and less intelligent people. This culture especially in Europe in countries like France. The leaders of the French Revolution were atheists and wanted to abolish religion.
Very good idea. @Mr Sunny Loni:
Guys supporting this in the name of freedom of expression need to see why certain atheletes were bared from olympics on racist remarks on twitter wasnt that freedom of expression
Shame on Germany, where the State allows freedom of expression where it is overtly causing (great) distress to its citizens...! :(
Adnan Oktar: The cartoon caricature recently published in Denmark, which has caused such distress throughout the Islamic world, has once again raised the claim of a clash of civilizations, whose flames have been so persistently stoked by certain circles. The caricature in question and the idea of a clash of civilizations are nothing more than reflections of the dark mental framework, tending towards violence, of Darwinist and materialist circles.
Certainly a great intellectual struggle is taking place today, dividing the world into two camps. However, these two sides do not represent Muslims on the one hand and Jews and Christians on the other. On the one hand are those who believe in the existence and oneness of God, and on the other, those who deny His very existence. To put it another way: on the one hand are devout believers in the divine God-inspired religions. And on the other are atheists, and the supporters of Darwinism, and materialists who stand opposed to religious moral values.
This intellectual struggle between believers and deniers has been going on since the dawn of history. Believers in all eras have spoken to others of the existence and oneness of God and called on them to abide by the true religion. Deniers, meanwhile, have made great efforts to turn people away from God and His religious moral values and towards amorality and wickedness. This philosophical struggle is still going on today, between believers in the one God and the materialistic Darwinist mindset that forms the basis of all atheistic ideologies.
Islam Commands Peace and Tolerance
@G. Din: You mean to say that the muslims are also allowed to blaspheme Hindu's,Christian's,Jew's and Sikh's religions' and religious sacred personalities and can also make their cartoons/caricatures and display in the public on the name of freedom of expression. First this shall not be happened because we muslims respect,honor and grace all the religions of the world and suppose if this is happened then what shall be your reaction/response??????
Having read the above comments, in which muftis deliver fatwas to Muslims to be tolerant to freedom of speech & just ignore this blasphemy, I am pretty much convinced these mufti won't deliver fatwas either when Hindus & Christians would be delivered Kafirs & enemies of Allah & subject to hatred in our journals & in protests---(freedom of speech, mate !) & when Mullahs would call upon Muslims for jihad & fighting against kafirs, & when Hindu girls would marry Muslims after reverting to Islam. Yes at that time, I won't like to listen things like extremism, forced conversions,respect of others' faith or love for humanity
Whosoever regard this abusing other's sentiments as freedom of speech must notify my point. Down to liberal-fascism ! Down to no-respect-for other's-faith ! Down to bigotry !
"BERLIN: A far-right group won the right from a Berlin court Thursday to display provocative caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) during planned demonstrations outside mosques this weekend." The greatest ever shame,curse and woe be on the muslim world's leaders having majority of the world's treasures that they shall face/bear the once again announced blasphemy of Last Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and as usual shall play the role as the silent spectators as nothing has been happening before them and this is just happening due to disunity and hypocrisy.......
These things must not be allowed. There are many other personalities whome cartoons can be made. Its really disturbing news. We as a Muslim talk about inter faith harmony but these sort of things will damage all the efforts. Muslims from Germany and Europe must stand against such decisions and challenge this decision in higher court. This matter must be solved very peacefully.
@Syed Osama Hussain: Telling Christains and Hindus your religion is false is OK for Muslims. Christians are doing the same using a cartoon. You ancestors destroyed and looted 1000s of temples in India.
@Mr Sunny Loni:
What you don't understand is that nobody in Germany will care if you celebrate Hitler day in Pakistan. This sort of thing can only hurt you if you let it.
@Ali Ahsan sorry bro but dont agree completely, killing is horrendous act but so is these cartoon, its not just any cartoon mind you. It is one of the most provocative and offensive to Muslims
@Tanzeel: You appear to have applied for German Visa. If you cant talk about holocaust in Europe , why should you be allowed to make caricatures of Great Prophet (PBUH). It is to be considered a humuliation and if someone humiliates your father, mother, sister or wife would you keep quiet. Can you, in the name of freedom of expression, tolerate such a non sense. If you do so, ............May Allah guide you but let me assure that Muslims will not tolerate and they should not.
@humshehri: to zK ".i’d just like to say to them that if u don’t have an understanding of the fundamentals and beliefs of Islam as a religion than please keep your mouths shut. " The whole issue here is freedom of expression. And, you are asking them to " keep your mouths shut.". Do you have any understanding of the anomaly here? I don't think you are capable of that! They could answer your admonition by asking you to take your " understanding of the fundamentals and beliefs of Islam as a religion" and can it. If you cannot live in harmony with your surroundings, it is time for you to get out of the picture. You cannot, and will not be, allowed to force your will on those who don't care for your beliefs and understandings!
This all thing is not related to freedom...Instead it is related to their mentality and hatred against Muslims....They allow cartoons of a prophet but just saying that holocaust is suspicious is Criminal...!
Its really unfortunate. In protests all Muslims should renounce their citizenship of Germany and Scandinavian countries as mark of protest and leave these heretic countries in mass to register their protest. This will be the best revenge and protest Muslims can have. Why to live in a country which doesn't follow the Sharia Law. They should rather take citizenship and settle in Arabian counties.
They have the legal right to ridicule, but don't give this the name of artistic freedom. That's an insult to art.
@Syed Osama Hussain: first let muslim respect other religions. dont threaten their people. dont burn their countries cities and houses. dont take arms to fight against other religion people. try to live peacefully. tame their violent brothers to give up arms and live peacefully with other community.
then your preaching will be realized
Paraphrasing Hadith: a woman who disliked Muhammad used to dump garbage on his head from the top window of her house every day while he was passing by her house on his way to prayer. His companions were upset but Muhammad smiled but did nothing about it. Then one day, there was no more garbage from the upper window of the house. Muhammad was concerned and went to the house and inquired about the well being of the woman.
Moral of the Hadith should be self evident.
There are / were several paintings of Muhammad commissioned between 7-13 century in existence and some time later for reasons unknown his face was either disfigured in some of the paintings or carefully veiled in others by later artists. I don't really comprehend why the paranoia of a cartoon or painting of Muhammad among later generations of followers.
Are Islamic followers are so fragile in their belief that they will start a pictorial reverence of Muhammed? Is not what Muhammad preached against?
I remember a skin and bone cartoon of Christ on the cross printed in ET some time back and I thought it was rather artististic given that it was drawn by a "non Christian" cartoonist from Pakistan and saved it in my collection of impression paintings. Should I be offended of the cartoonist's non handsomely depiction of Christ or should I appreciate his understanding in bringing out the simplicity of Christ in that cartoon?
Although the present incidence in Berlin was intended as a provocation, I am equally concerned when someone bans something as trivial as cartoon or a painting because his/her opinion is different. These individuals are no more different than Afghanistan Taliban who blew up the Buddha carvings that stood there majestically even when Kasim was resting in Kyber pass.
Well, perhaps it is about time for some HOLOCAUST CARTOONS ...,
Far right groups al around the world have the habit of creating controversy.
Would the court have allowed the same to nazis against the jews?
Far right groups must be ignored because this is the only way to sideline them.
Very sad news.
Artistic freedom or freedom of speech whatever it is, I personally think that the far-right group should not have gone for this at this time. The courts had no other option. Was it really necessary at this time, or even in any other time to purposefully offend others unless others offend you first? I am not for this artistic freedom at this time. It is totally unnecessary and there is no real art in these cartoons.
If something offends you, ignore it. It's a part of being a mature person and citizen. The Islamic prophet's depiction not being allowed is an Islamic law applicable only to Muslims. Those who are not Muslim are not bound by Islamic law and to force your belief on others is to transgress the individual right to freedom of expression and conscience of others.
Thank God. One sane country is there. Pakistanis, remember it is Germany who is supplying nuclear submarines to ISRAEL. They will use this to kill you Moslem brothers and sister.
It makes me sad when i read the reaction of our so called ENLIGHTENED readers...its easy to label something with the name of FREEDOM OF SPEECH and stuff...but there is a thing called MORAL VALUES...now u don't go on abusing your Elders because Values tell u its bad..in the same way you should AT LEAST have the decency to not do something that hurts a Huge population in the world...Now if I know that my Christian friend is sensitive about something,i would simply avoid doing that...and please grow some sense...If you people are so much ENLIGHTENED than WHY don't you raise questions about HOLOCAUST DRAMA... you wont...BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN PROGRAMMED NOT TO QUESTION THAT....
@zK:
As for all the non muslim/atheist friends trying to teach us tolerance over here..i’d just like to say to them that if u don’t have an understanding of the fundamentals and beliefs of Islam as a religion than please keep your mouths shut. If you’v made a mockery out of your religion than DO NOT expect us to do the same.
Agreed - these people should keep their mouths shut and not create a mockery of any religion!!!! Defining fundamental and beliefs of Islam - all the bombings and killing spree's by the talibans in Pakistan; they are possessing and portraying the correct fundamentals and beliefs of Islams as a religion and are giving more than due respect to Islam, by murdering innocent human being and that to their own Muslim brothern, marking Muslim's across the globe as terrorists. That's okay to live with, is it??
Hats off to all above who have shown and demonstrated understanding and patience, depicting the true meaning of Islam instead of being provoked!!
Why should ISLAM be spared because of free speech? Why should OTHERS be forced to respect your beliefs? Get over it. If you have a problem with it, your solution is simple, don't see them. Someone above said that "they r testing the blood in muslim nerves"....if you can't deal with someone else's free expression like a normal human being then don't you dare say again that "muslims are peaceful".
Not drawing caricatures of Muhammad (PBUH) is an Islamic Law, not the world law. Muslims can abstain from doing such thing if it hurts them. You cannot demand others to follow it. Muslims in general do not understand the concept of "freedom of speech". Reacting violently and threatening lives is the only way they can get their things done. Muslims contradict their own religion Islam which teaches peace and tolerance. Why would rest of the world ever take muslims seriously ?
As a revenge people of Pakistan should celebrate Adolf Hitler day. Two can play the same game. Muslims must learn to pay back in the same coin when faith is disrespected like this. Violenece is not the answer. A smart, witty counter attack like G=Hitler day, holocaust denial day etc. should be done, so that west sees the folly that their indscretions will not be taken lying low.
Great, now in response to ths craziness as part of their so called protest, Taliban will kill muslims in Pakistan / Afghanistan and serve Islam as per their own definition of service to Islam :(
Thank you ET for publishing this. Now we can start protesting by burning our own cities. Our media is as intelligent and responsible as our public.
Taliban Judges............
There's nothing wrong with this. If you get upset that shows how small your religion is that it can't tolerate something so simple-minded.
Now behave yourself and don't destroy private or public property. That will only hurt your own country.
people listen,
There is a law in germany/austria which prohibits NAZI symbols (flag,salute) you do that in public you end up in jail. same goes for if any1 questions holocaust. So why cant be there any law to prohibit its citizens from making cartoons of Prophet?????
serisouly we too respect freedom of speech but there should be limits.if we muslims are so negative you can do constructive criticsm..
Make cartoons of usama bin laden i dnt mind!
First of all, to my ever suspicious Paki brothers: RAW & US are not involved in this one.
Secondly, to me issues faced by the muslim umma in Syria, Palestine and Pakistan are far more important that fighting over a court ruling that is legal in its homeland.
Stay calm!
@Syed Osama Hussain:
And those who burn churches and abduct young Hindu girls does their religion teach them to respect other religions?
Funny thought that a chocolate sculpture of Jesus was dis-allowed somewhere in the west! freedom of expression is not un-fettered, sorry. As it is, their churches from centuries ago are filled with paintings on ceiling depicting Muhammd and Islam as devil. People un-fortunately, react because this has been going on for about a few centuries.
@kashif saif dhillon: I couldn't stop laughing at your comments....Blood flowing in nerves!!!. Blood flows in veins.
@Sam: thats a DUMB analogy
@khurram: They did consult their legal advisers hence the court ruling and not one achieved with the might of a gandaasa. This is how the world works, you have an issue, you take it up with the relevant authorities. Germany being a secular, predominantly non Muslim country has its own values to protect and freedom of expression without consideration for religion is one of them so kudos to them for sticking to their guns and not giving in to the demands of a fringe minority group. Unless we in Pakistan start affording the same courtesies to our minorities, we really don't have any business asking other countries to alter their laws to accommodate Muslims. This issue has been dragged through the courts in several western countries and has been dismissed by almost all of them, rightly so, since its their country and their values should take precedence.
@Sam:
So what is your plan really? if you had the power what would you do? Do you realize that they are pushing it so much because Muslims got so offended at it the first time? Its called provoking, don't let yourself fall prey to them. Let them do what they want in their country. You want to be a better Muslim, first fix your own people killing other Muslims.
Now, muslims in India will protest and burn German flags and a few buses!!!
@Rind: criticism is easy thing to do.. One should come up with solution of a problem.. we know that these cartons cant even do a bit of harm to ISLAM or our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), but condemning it is our faith's part. that what we Muslims do ... i agree that way of condemning like burning the properties and strikes are not correct way...
another sign of rising neo nazism in europe. google immortals in germany and c wht i mean
The owners of BMW,Benz,Volkswagen in Pakistan should keep their cars in Garage for sometime
@Sam: Were the prophet's cartoons nude?
It said the cartoons were protected as “artistic freedom” and could not legally be considered as abuse of a religious group. This is simply ridiculous....it seems the legal system has lost all sanity, if this isn't an abuse of a religious group (Muslims in this case) than what else is it ?!!! As for all the non muslim/atheist friends trying to teach us tolerance over here..i'd just like to say to them that if u don't have an understanding of the fundamentals and beliefs of Islam as a religion than please keep your mouths shut. If you'v made a mockery out of your religion than DO NOT expect us to do the same. What the Berlin court has approved over here IS and I repeat IS a MAJOR offence to the sentiments of billions of Muslims around the world and it cant be brushed under the carpet and overlooked in the name of tolerance !
Properties are burnt to remind Government of its duties.. We, being Muslims, should try to convey our protest to German Government.. Political channel should be the best choice.. And we should not be too late... LOVE with the Prophet SAW demands us to be vigilant. And my request to all people, if you cannot protest, you should consider it wrong at least.. it's the lowest level of Eman..
lol
I am all for freedom of expression but if that is the case then why is anti holocaust anything is banned all over western world.
they r testing blood in Muslim's nerves, these kinds of silly acts provocate world's peace in general and pakistan in particular..,germans must know that they are in living glass house and they can nt throw stone on others
To all those who are ADVISING to tolerate on this issue, my simple question to them IF (God forbid) you mother or daughter or sister or wife NUDE cartoons are allowed to display in rally would you still be SILENT?? The main thing is we dont have LOVE in our heart for our Great Prophet SAW!!
Its not about "artistic rights" or not, its about understanding. Those illiterate people who have won the appeal never respected their religion, not does their religion teach them enough to respect other religions. If they did respected ours, they should have considered what ISLAM STATES RELATING TO THIS! I agree "artistic freedom" should exist, and knew before that this would eventually be the courts excuse to let things roll on. But why nose around other religions when you don't have any relation with it! World will never respect religions, I feel to abuse back, but then there would be no difference.
P.S. May ALLAH bring you non-Muslims to the right path. Ameen.
Wow. totally opposite reaction of readers than i thought. looks like ET readers have matured a lot. Before the hate train arrives i want to say good job friends.
muslims need to get tolerant these type of things happen everywhere in the world ...... its not that you pack your bag and blow yourself up ..........
Getting offended is not a wildcard to suppress the freedoms of others. Good step by the court to ensure equal rights and freedoms for all, instead of granting special consideration to certain easily-offended groups.
remember kids:
if a CARTOON is more offensive to you than the actual KILLING of fellow Muslims by Muslims in Pakistan, then someone is very wrong with YOU!
This should be very serious matter for musilim especially those who are living in Germany. They must consult their law agencies for stopping these kind of things.
Cool, now lets start destroying properties in Pakistan.
it's too heartrending.........