Insulting one’s faith

Deliberately mocking a religion or aiming to make derisive comments to hurt the feelings of its believers is a terrible thing to do. It is hardly what a world filled with rapidly-increasing intolerance needs. The undoubtedly offensive video placed on You Tube, by filmmaker Sam Bacile, which is extremely derogatory and disrepectful towards the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was bound to unleash anger and cause hurt. Further infuriating was the fact that the movie was quickly backed by controversial Florida-based pastor Terry Jones, to apparently coincide with the anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The actions of both Bacile and Jones have to be condemned in the strongest possible terms. Jones has in the past spoken of Islam with open hostility and in 2010 and 2011, his actions triggered riots in Afghanistan. Bacile and Jones are evil people. They cannot hide behind the mask of freedom of expression to spread their biases and narrow-mindedness.

These are people who spew venom and bask in the glory of their notoriety. Their work has had its desired effect. The US consulate at Benghazi was attacked as violent protests erupted which left a few Americans, including the US ambassador to Libya, dead. Similarly in a mob action in Cairo, rioters attacked the US embassy and tore down the flag. This action has rightfully been condemned by the Egyptian president. But more needs to be done.

In the name of freedom of expression, time and again the West has allowed certain figures to ridicule Islam and play with the feeling of its followers. This only leads to more anger amongst Muslims. The US has not been able to address this problem despite the growing number of Muslims who live in that country.

Even as the State Department condemns the attack on its missions, an understanding needs to be built within the US that inept ‘hate’ videos such as this one can only add fuel to extremist fires. It is clear that hatred for the US still surges like a wave across the volatile Arab world. True peace can only be achieved by creating an environment within which tolerance can flourish. Films such as the latest one released from the US do nothing to create this stability and indeed only add to existing complications in a divided world.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 14^th, 2012.