CHITRAL: Touching upon the sensitive issue of the blasphemous film that has generated massive protests by Muslims everywhere, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan likened the sentiments of Muslims for blasphemy with that of the Jews' for the holocaust and asked for similar rights with regard to hate speech.
Speaking in Chitral and taking the Jewish Holocaust as an example, Khan said that people in Europe can be jailed for just questioning the actuality of the massacre because it hurt the sentiments of the Jews.
“We are also being hurt in the name of ‘freedom of speech’,” said Khan. “We will also get the same law implemented for us in the West,” he added.
Khan said that the people of the West were ignorant of Islam and it was their ignorance which was being manipulated by the people spreading hate against the religion.
"They do not know how much we love our beloved Prophet (pbuh) ... that Muslims are willing to sacrifice their lives for him," said Khan.
“I take the responsibility to educate them about how much we love our beloved Prophet (pbuh),” he said.
Waziristan rally
About the rally to Waziristan on October 7, Khan said it would include journalists and human rights organisations, who would tell the world what was really happening in drone strikes and who the actual victims of it were.
He said drone attacks were not just killing militants; they were killing innocents including women and children.
He said that the PTI would take Pakistan’s biggest rally ever to Waziristan along with journalists and human rights organisations from foreign countries so they could show the people there what was truly happening in these drone strikes.
Speaking on the ‘war on terror’, Khan said: “Taking part in America’s war has destroyed us.”
“Every month we are spending Rs90 billion on this war,” he said, adding that people were dying and money was being wasted because of it.
“When a person’s family dies, he picks up arms in revenge and uses it against his own countrymen,” said Khan, adding that America’s war was killing Pakistanis on both sides.
“We will let the people there [abroad] know what is happening in this war because this war will only end when the people of the US and UK protest against it,” said Khan.
Criticising political parties, Khan said: “No other party has the courage to go to Waziristan.”
The new Pakistan and people's rights
Addressing other issues and promising a new Pakistan, Khan talked about development, education, jobs and hospitals in Chitral.
He promised the people of Chitral that PTI would work on their development so they would not have to rush back and forth to Peshawar.
He said that as per its economic policy, PTI would generate jobs for them, create hospital and colleges.
The PTI chief said that at least 3000MW of electricity could be generated from the springs of Chitral.
“You should not be facing loadshedding,” said Khan. “Every spring can generate electricity … Chitral can progress and cheap electricity will take you forward.”
He added that the royalties from the generated electricity could be used to make universities so the Chitrali youth would not have to go elsewhere to study.
Speaking on development in Chitral, Khan said that the lack of progress on the Lowari tunnel was not due to monetary problems.
“There was money but it went into their pockets; it went out of the country,” he said.
“You all want change, a new Pakistan, a just system, release from old politicians,” said Khan, adding that this was what PTI was offering.
He said that PTI would ensure the development funds would go to the locals and they would get to decide where that money should be spent.
Speaking on elections within the PTI itself, he said that no other party was doing this either. He urged the people to participate in the elections, telling them that they could be leaders as well.
“But whoever comes in this team will play according to our rules, our laws,” said Khan.
“Those who do will help us make a new Pakistan, if not they will respectfully be let go of.”
COMMENTS (197)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@Manoj Joshi India: If USA is against Muslims, then how come there were several movies produced in USA that criticize Jesus Cjristian or some even show christ as married and totally against bible.
Now that is freedom of expression.
Even though majority of people in USA are christians , no one was killed. None of the actors were threatened or killed
USA is a civilized society.
People respect others views. The people who are protesting against the Anti-Islam film themsleves don't have any respect to other religions and sects of Islam (Shias, Ahamdiyyas etc)
This is the sad reality
To clear it up for the many misguided simpletons here- He is not likening the holocaust itself to Islamic blasphemy. He's asking for the same rights to keep blasphemy off limits from Islam.
@dr Mahboob Hossein. You talk of education system in the West.Why don't you talk of the hate that is taught to school children in Muslim schools against non Muslims and against Hindus in Pakistan?
Condemnable and as reprehensible as the intention and the deed but the blame also lies with those who have picked up discarded Hadith for lack of authenticity. Like a Hadith that was rejected by Imam Maliki and Imam Abu Hanifa was picked up by The Wahabis and thrown up on the net. Mrs. Nilofer has brought this out clearly in a Dawn article. This Hadith is about Hazratha Bibi Ayesha RA who was in fact 19 and not nine when she got married. Since he almost 90 his memory and coordination of one Hashim was failing and instead off thisathrasher (19) he could utter only this'aa (9). This should never have been thrown up on the net. But the irresponsible put this on the net and gave damaging wrong information in the hands of the enemies which they are using Ike this. Unfortunate. Most unfortunate.
The people on here saying that the U.S. has laws against holocaust denial are DEAD WRONG. There is NO LAW AGAINST HOLOCAUST DENIAL IN THE UNITED STATES. FURTHER, THERE IS NO LAW AGAINST ANTI-SEMETIC SPEECH IN THE US. Some other European countries do have such a law, but the United States is not one of them. The U.S. has NO laws against hate speech against anyone, including Jews, or the US government, even the president, unless it rises to actual physical threats, etc.
I mean, have you ever heard Louis Farrakhan speak about Jews? Just look him up on youtube. Also, there are still some white supremacist groups in America, and they post terrible videos about Jews and black people, and they have protests, etc. While hate speech such as that likely will win those hate speakers FBI monitoring, there is absolutely nothing the US can do legally to stop them, unless it rises to actual threats of violence, etc.
The US takes freedom of speech and expression very seriously, because when you start banning speech, it's a very slippery slope. When you ban one form of speech, then it threatens to end up being used to ban other forms of speech.
@Sexton Blake Valid point...
Dear Cautious,
You appear to be insisting on missing the entire point of what I am writing about, or you are just being obtuse. I keep on making the point of free speech. Not allowing people to discuss the holocaust means that people like you do not really know the facts. Unfortunately, you keep jumping from one thing to another so it is hard to keep up with you. I will not get into 9/11, your latest breakout, but perhaps we can keep that for another time. For now, I sincerely consider that removal of free speech is wrong, and although Imran Khan may be a fine person I disagree with his suggestion that speech should be curtailed, which I think, is the point of the exercise at the moment.
@Sexton Blake
I might remind you that both the victors and losers in WW2 agree on the Holocaust - so once again your argument doesn't hold water. Similar to the 911 conspiracy theorist the holocaust deniers have to ignore mountains of evidence to maintain their delusion/bias.
To understand Imran Khan one has to study English newspaper daily. One has to study Napoleon Bonaparte’s views about English Elite. One has to study East India Company’s wrong doing in Sub-Continent, and how they created different classes of society in Sub-Continent. Imran Khan hate Pakistani people I have no doubt but people of Pakistan vote for him and when PPP government form after next elections then they realize what Imran did to them.
A=Hitler ordered the killing of Millions of Innocent Jews (Holocaust)
B=A few people produce a third class video that ridicules Prophet Mohammad and showed that Muslims are blood hungry people who are eager to destroy properties. No Muslim or Non-Muslim was actually harmed or killed during the production of this movie.
C= In response to B, Muslims killed innocent people and destroyed properties of their own country or the country that they have immigrated to.
Per PTI leader A=B.
Do supporters of PTI really think that their leader is the savior of Pakistan?
@observer: in austria and france, denying the holocaust is a criminal offence because in those two countries the right to free speech can be limited in cases where such speech can cause extreme pain and offence to a community.
@Sexton Blake: SO you say that " 99.99 percent of US academics do not write about the HOLOCAUST because they will lose their jobs"! WOW, where did you ever dream that up? First you say that no Americans came across concentration camps in Germany at the end of WW2, but then when that was easily shown to be false you deride the movie reference as "being made by Jewish Interests"! Your story line continues to change as you are challenged by historical data! WHY DON'T YOU JUST TELL ALL OF US YOUR VERSION OF THE "TRUTH" ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST THAT YOU KEEP TALKING ABOUT IN YOUR COMMENTS!!!!!
@Cautious: Dear Cautious, You have used as evidence the film "The Big Red One", which was made by Jewish interests. Hardly historical facts. The big problem you are facing is that history is produced by the victors, and although there is an element of truth in what war victors say much of it is propaganda. The job of historians would be to separate truth from all the debris of available data in regard to the so-called Holocaust. At the moment that is not possible due to Holocaust revisionism or denial. We know that a few million Jews were not treated well, but neither were the other 60 million non-Jews. Even in America with its so called free speech it can be made very difficult for people to speak out. An example is Ernst Zundel who was deported via Canada to Germany. There are many other examples including David Irving. Because they deny the Holocaust, total putdowns are placed on them. Further, 99.99 percent of US academics do not write about the Holocaust because they will loose their jobs. Everybody knows that holocaust denial is a no, no, because the resulting punishment hurts. This gets back to Muslim denial. We have a serious problem with a few million Jews roaming around the world imposing their view of the world onto non Jews. What will it be like with 1.3 billion Muslims adding to the problem. My view is that without punishment, the truth has a good chance of coming out. If you tell lies, libel laws usually take over, but evidence is usually required.
Look at all the indians having problem with him. Seriously how is it your business anyway? Stop poking your nose in every Pakistani matter
Since holocaust denial is very very common in muslim countries, they should expect the same treatment. What's sauce for the goose....
@Sexton Blake
Infamous Dachau was liberated by US 7th infantry on May 5, 1945, Buchenwald was liberated by US forces on April 4th, 1945 and the list goes on. If your not into reading I recommend watching the movie The Big Red one staring Lee Marvin which shows the 1st Division liberating the Flossenbürg Concentration Camp - that happened in Czechoslovakia on May 6th,1945. These are historical facts and not the rantings of Jewish historians.
@Abdullah: The US alone did not provide arms to the Libyan rebels. Even before the US had become involved, arms dealers were making a killing supplying arms.
Holocaust - some one kills your kind by thousands. Blasphemy - You shout and kill others in name of religion.
Where is the connection?
IK is a mullah Umar edition of of Pakistan.
@socratese --
---all the intellectuals of the world have recognised this fact now, and this is not my statement; Nobel Peace Prize winners from various parts of the world have said the same (e.g Betty Williams).
“When a person’s family dies, he picks up arms in revenge and uses it against his own countrymen,” said Khan. If this perverted and shameful reasoning by a shameless politician is accepted then all shias,brelvis and other minorities should take up arms against the Sect involved in terrorism. Imran should condemn terrorism instead of supporting the extremists. If this is the change he is trying to bring in Pakistan then the voters should reject it to promote peace.
Imran is suggesting to take a lawful course of action to end this debacle once in far all. Once there was Salman Rushdie today its this youtube indy production and who knows what could be next : a Hollywood flick!Get the IOC in motion, he says, pass a resolution and register your protest and take way the initiative from the mobsters. The least it will do is take away the right from the mobsters to burn embassies and murder ambassadors. It is precisely because the crony hapless governments in the middle east and in our own country do nothing and remain indifferent that violence begets and mobsters rule. The Islamic governments must take the initiative away and act proactively , thats his whole point - if you listen carefully enough.
Its matter of freedom of speach. Which is block by both jew and Muslim. His comparison is right but two wrong doesn't make right
Seriously all you so called liberals and on top persumably people who understand english, he likens with the sentiment not holocaust itself.
@Alucard Holucaust is a fact, abusing our prophet pbuh is also a fact both are ugliest human acts. Media and laws were not strong enough to stop HC but blasphemy can be stopping. Excellent link by IK
@fed up indian Who Pakistani vote or not is none of your business. He has better understanding than most of blasphemey law. For people like you blasphemey law used against muslims is ok but against any other community you want repeal it. This double standard will be demolished by Imran khan. And on the matter of voting only, we have lot more issues bigger than blasphemy lawfor which he is the most suited candidate.
Guys!!!! whats wrong with you.... He is not comparing blasphamey with holocaust,he is criticising the double standards of freedom of speech in the west.... That on one hand if some body does something to hurt the feelings of jews he/she is being put in the jail while on the other hand if some body hurt feelings of muslims then the west says it is freedom of speech....... Imran Khan is right to say that the west need to make some changes in their laws and i think this is the correct way to deal with it.....Pakistanis be focused and try to understand what is being said, this is the turning point for Pakistan...And Imran Khan and PTI is the only way out......
Look, I know that actually doing research and finding out some basic facts is not a big thing in the Muslim world, but, take a breath now....
....Holocaust denial, is not illegal in the USA.
Now, let's say it again
....Holocaust denial, is not illegal in the USA.
@ Saima Cheema
For decade,Pakistan has been an Americab ally and State depart has been a policy manufacturing center,there is no permission to any ally to share in any part of future line of action. Drone attacks in Pakistan's tribal areas are widely known unpopulare,no doubt, these are counterproductive,providing assistance to the forces involved in insurgewncy in Pakistan and Afghanistan.in form of recruits . I would like to say herein,Imran Khan is a clean-handed political leader,his popularity graph is also uprising in the Punjab and other provinces but have no any crucial power to stop drones strikes which has become permanent killer of innocent women and children belonge to tribal territories,such as Wziristan and Shawal and other adjacent areas.
Protest is going on by all the political parties in Pakistan.American ambassador is summoned and got registered protest after every drone strike but the situation still stand there is no good change in the Anerican behave.
Imran Khan is a brave leader,has claimed on many occasions attacks are going on with the hidden consent of present government. Pakistan People Party led coalition government is fully involved in this heinous crime being committed against tribal people in the name insurgency.
According to my considered opinion,there are many other option on table,one of the many can be adopted which is agreed by the decade long ally in the war on terror.
@ Mj
What case are you talking about? People here were posting that the Jews have never killed or persecuted any one for Holocaust denial which is FALSE as the examples have shown. The Jews have been persecuting/killing people over this issue.
@gp65 I answered your question in one of the comments above (its located right above the comment you directed at me) --and yes people in Pakistan are on the whole up for any law which stops defamation of any other religious entity and they should support the implementation of holocaust denial law too in Pakistan.
Coming to the "Bangladesh massacre"--do you want to force me to believe that? One shouldn't try to impose anything on others, yeah but I will never go and say to others or to Bangladeshis "oh you weren't killed" and stuff like that. This would be criminal. And may I also say that you should also accept that the Indian army was too involved in the "Bangladesh Massacre" or do you choose not to believe that?
@Abdur Rahman: Israel is not really a good example for upholding human rights. We and other countries should not aspire to be like them. Everyone should have the right to free speech and expression, whether that speech is blasphemous or denying the holocaust.
Why do we need laws to protect God?
@IceSoul: that's what happen when you put your nose in another nation's politics.WHO GAVE THEM THE ARMS WHICH KILLED AMBASSADOR(I am not defending the killing its wrong but to remove Gaddafi it's wrong to support people with such mentality).
I doubt if the violent Muslims, especially those who have wrecked havoc in the world have any love for the prophet or islam. They are looters and plunders and rapists who want some excuse to vent out their animal instincts.
@ Imran Khan & supporters:
Belgium Negationism Law (1995, amendments of 1999)
"Article 1 Whoever, in the circumstances given in article 444 of the Penal Code denies, grossly minimises, attempts to justify, or approves the genocide committed by the German National Socialist Regime during the Second World War shall be punished by a prison sentence of eight days to one year, and by a fine of twenty six francs to five thousand francs. For the application of the previous paragraph, the term genocide is meant in the sense of article 2 of the International Treaty of 9 December 1948 on preventing and combating genocide. In the event of repetitions, the guilty party may in addition have his civic rights suspended in accordance with article 33 of the Penal Code.
Aforesaid paragraph is the law popularly known as the law against Holocaust. in European countries( similar wordings in other European countries ) holocaust is fact of the past and supported by thousands of evidences and bot a fiction. The legislation against the denial of Holocaust is to stop the hate speech and revival of Nazism . now you yourselves can compare this law with the law of blasphemy in Pakistan which Imran Khan is protecting and supporting. You can judge yourselves.
@Stewie: you can not tolerate mockery of Islam and the Prophet but you can mock other's faiths . Strange to the world ? Well, you love your prophet more than your life but never think , forget, even not ready to listen and try to think this rationale. Or tell duly supported with logic that my point is wrong. please do not keep mum.
As usual the surrender monkeys don't get it. Imran is talking about how Freedom of Speech and its limitations.
I expected better from Imran. This is opportunistic politics at its finest. By inciting the masses and amplifying emotions, he is leading the country into deeper chaos and turmoil. I am not going into the freedom of speech discussion since it is a futile discussion in this context. Pakistan lacks most other forms of basic freedom that we is fundamental in the west. Hence freedom of thought (speech) is not something that will get appreciated by its people or its politicians.
Mr Imran is talking about the SENTIMENTS and sensitivities of Jews and Muslims. That it is unlawful in some European countries to SAY that less than 6 million Jews died, because it hurts the feelings of Jews. Muslims quite rightly hold the Holy Prophet in the highest esteem and it hurts their feelings when the prophet is denigrated.
Frankly loss of one innocent life is one too many. And Muslims should also show similar restraint and tolerance and respect to other religions/communities doctrines and their leaders, as they expect from others.
an addition since I see holocaust law pickiness: It's not Europe's law, it's a select few. He makes it sound like the whole of Europe is for the Jews but not the Muslims. It's even then still not a valid comparison to the Blasphemy law. Blasphemy gets you raped, murdered, jailed and executed in Pakistan. The law is fine with it, apparently. In those holocaust law countries, you probably get a stern talking to the first time, even before jail is put on the table pending on just how you do it. "How you do it" would be similar to how Muslims react to Blasphemy. If they were out denying the holocaust and acting like the Muslims do while they did it, they'd get the jail term. Because both would be considered malicious. Those same countries wouldn't say it's acceptable to kick dirt on Islam. The difference is, those countries are promoting positive actions over negative ones. There's nothing positive over the Blasphemy law and its effects. Nor the way Muslims react to it It's just hate mongering with a license to kill. Guess what, too? Each time you react that way, more people find that Islam being a religion of peace line to be complete nonsense. The two concepts are polar opposites. Not the same, by far.
@cautious: Dear Cautious, I think I will find it extremely difficult to discuss German internment camps with US soldiers. The Russian soldiers liberated all the camps when US/Allied armies were still on the wrong side of the Elbe/Rhine rivers. In regard to the elderly who have wrist markings and live in retirement homes, they are alive aren't they, or have I missed another one of your subtle points?
@ Zalim Singh huh in Israel you cant even wander on streets if you are a non-Jew! Yeah we may not see Jews burning flags, but these Jews are murdering innocent & unarmed children, women and men in Palestine. The Jewish settlers on one hand tries to gain sympathy through holocaust while oppress the Muslims in West Bank and Gaza Strip. Jewish government have indeed the biggest land grabbing mafia in the form of Israel. Search youtube on Jews behavior towards non-Jews and imagine if world is dominated by them; orthodox Jews are worst to Taliban and LeJ/LeT terrorist.
Great Imran Khan. realy good speech. I can see some indians and some sick minded shameless fake liberals of pakistan barkin shyt about Imran khan. u ppl need to get a life :))
I'm surprised to see so many sane comments here, sometimes you get lost into the racist troll dungeons of youtube and twitter it's hard to see sanity clearly.
Of course all religious beliefs should be respected, but comparing a genocide to blasphemy is...well outrageous, the only comparable thing would be if this Egyptian copt film-maker went to Egypt took over and killed millions of people for being Muslim, maybe created an empire and took over all the Arab countries and did the same, went into Asia and the rest of Africa and took over, oppressed the people of those countries, but went a step further and took the Muslim populations of these countries and put them in death camps. Comparing this to the holocaust... is just stupid.
Yes we have a right to be outraged and voice our opinion, but the filmaker and the people that funded the film and the rest of the faces of Islamophobia in the U.S were counting on this to happen, this is what they want. They want to portay us as savages as terrorists, and killing people and burning down buildings is exactly the reaction they were expecting. They get to be martyrs for their cause and we must NOT let them win. The only thing this is doing is not only making life for us Muslims in the west hard, but the rest of the Muslims in the world. Did you see the republican party nitpick President Obama's statements? Their rampant Islamophobia (how they always accuse Obama of being Muslim like it's a bad thing) is one of the reasons films like these are made and supported and we must not let them win. But burning buildings and hurting people is not the answer. Show the world we are stronger than this, non-violence is the way.
Look at Palestine for instance, people put down arms and used non-violence resistance, be it hunger strikes or BDS and it is making the world listen and better yet the Islamophobes can't use the "Muslims are terrorists and want to hurt people" meme because what is violent about BDS?
So how about putting your brains to good use? Stop burning flags and protest peacefully.
Interesting. I didn't know people were actually aware of the situation in some parts of Europe. Imran Khan says:" Speaking in Chitral and taking the Jewish Holocaust as an example, Khan said that people in Europe can be jailed for just questioning the actuality of the massacre because it hurt the sentiments of the Jews." Asking for true investigation, may put you to jail in Germany and Austria. I am not sure about the other European countries.
@Cautious: Not so in Europe!
@Abdur Rahman: "@ Cautious do you too have a reading problem? IK was talking about Europe."
It is irrelevant to talk about holocaust denial laws in some European countries because this movie was made in US where there are NO holocaust denial laws. Thus neither blasphemy nor holocaust denial is illegal in USA and this movie which was made in USA would not have been illegal EVEN if anti-blasphemy laws laws were instituted in the countries where holocaust denial exists. Also as I mentioned earlier all the people who are equating holocaust denial laws with anti-blasphemy laws - you would be willing to institute holocaust denial laws in Pakistan - right, since as you mentioned the pain in both cases is similar? While you are at it, do go ahead and institute laws that deny Bangladeshi massacre - because that is the closest thing to holocaust denial.
@Many here-- As I have stated in my comment above with examples that the Jews have been persecuting/ attempting to assassinate/ killing people over denial of the Holocaust Now coming to Mr.gp65's question. Even if there is a single place in the west where we have a law which protects the religious sentiments of a certain nation it can very well be used as an example to prove our point that we too want a similar law to protect the religious sentiments of the Muslims. If the US doesnt allow such a law the other countries may and this would prevent such happenings in those countries, 'cause this movie you are talking abt is being reposted and boasted about in a lot many countries other than the US. Even if ONE western state passes a law which prevents hate speech against Muslim religious identities, it would be symbolic and a gr8 step towards making the Muslim world realise that the entire western world doesnot hate them.
And one more thing, the Muslims do not want a ban on criticising Muhammad (Pbuh) or any other Islamic teaching. All forms of criticism should be done. But it should be done without hate speech/foul or abusive language (just like how Willian Muir did it--He is known as the father of all criticism yet he never received any death threat). One might try to even convince the US to pass a law forbidding such dirty or hate speech against the Islamic religious teachings if we have a leader as intelligent as Imran Khan.
@Pakboy: Easy to do it in a post in comments section!
@...: Anything wrong with that, brother?
Holocaust is related to millions jews killed in real sense. Blasphemy is just a "religious" sentimental issue. How are these two related ?
@Usama: They were not killed just because of their religion only but the economic stranglehold they had on the economy of Germany and others. Study the history of German Wiemar Republic and you will find the situation which led to the rise of Nazis and Hitler. Moreover by the way it was not the Muslims who has killed millions of Jews but they were Christians, and lets not forget that the Catholic Church looked the other way while this massacre was being perpetuated on the Jewish population BUT yet the the same Jews are inflecting so much pain on the Palestinians with the conniving of American Jews. The perssecuted ones are persecuting.
@Usama: A belief is belief. The questain is how fragile it is. ever observed Christians going that way Or Indians v ghandiji They are built strong by their Believers.
@mr. righty rightist: Mr Righty try denying holocaust in germany or in while in france and you will be arrested and put in jail for 20 years!! Think before u comment!!
Good work. I like the fact that IK's speech is becoming area specific.
@Abdur Rahman: The examples that you give of other theocratic fascists who resort to violence does not help your case at all.
Yet another misleading headline.What IK is trying to say is that people can be put in jail for denying the holocaust but people can get away with hurting feelings of muslims by using the most disgusting ,abusive and filthy languagein the name of freedom.There is no such thing as complete freedom of expression because in many countries you can go to jail for denying the holocaust.What we need is similar laws to stop some sick people abusing religions for creating mischief and disturbing peace.. @Cautious, In Germany ,Austria,Belgium,Hungary and many other countries its illegal to deny the holocaust.
IK is a sincere practicing muslim and All sunni``s are proud of him.
@ Ice Soul @ Righty right @ Sadia @ Just Sayin Yeah the Jews have been persecuting and attacking and giving death threats to people who denied the Holocaust. And Firstly Israel as a state does not allow any one to even question the Holocaust. You so straight to imprisonment of 5 years if you question the Holocaust. Secondly they can easily go and kill Palestinians when they are furious about anything and no one in the world is going to say anything to them. Their government supports state terrorism, the private organization have nothing much to do. While in Muslim lands it is the govt which does nothing, the private organizations are the one's indulged in extremism.
Here are a few example of people persecuted By Jews when they denied the Holocaust:
@Sexton Blake: You say that " Holocaust denial laws in Europe can send people to prison for telling the truth"! PLEASE TELL US WHAT YOU THINK THAT "TRUTH" IS SO WE ALL SEE YOUR MINDSET ON THE HOLOCAUST!
GP65 made a good point. Once Imran Khan comes to power and bans any criticism of Holocaust in Pakistan and makes it a penal offense for which any mullah can go to prison for denying holocaust, he can then request other countries to do the same for blasphemy. Till then he should keep quiet.
@ Cautious do you too have a reading problem? IK was talking about Europe. In many parts of Europe you get imprisoned for even questioning the Holocaust, far from making derogatory remarks about it. (Austria, Germany, Romania etc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LawsagainstHolocaust_denial)
But then logic is not Mr. Khan's strongest suit is it?
Playing with religious sentiments of any community is rank vulgarity. Here is something that provoked Muslims, tomorrow the same thing can happen to Christians and Hindus. Let us not take it lightly as it concerns all the decent citizens of the world. The hatred nurtured toward other religions by any religion is an insult not only to the religion but also those who indulge in such provocative acts.
@ Jibran and which world do you live in? He has spoken against atrocities against Shia Muslims, against minorities and against the murder of salman taseer. he condemned mumtaz qadri too.
Mr Imrabn Khan, should tell the blasphemous mobs that their love of prophet Muhammad, should inspire them to do good deeds and not inspire them to murder.
@Usama and @Others
so as per Imran Khan, The iranian prime-minister should be in prison for questioning holocaust ?
Haha. Seculars and Pseudo-liberals feeling the heat. It appears as if Imran has blasphemed them by advocating restraint in their freedom of speech that hurts other people. We are with you Imran. Keep it up. Indeed a big rally, yet to be mentioned by ET. ET instead just picking the topics it likes the most, i-e brandish anything Islam or related as barbarism. I don't know how many of you will feel exasperated if someone abuses or maligns your parents and for us, our prophet PBUH is dear to us even than our own lives. My point is clear, 'Your freedom ends where my nose starts.'
@Tareen: "He is making a conceptual comparison. The offense to Jews on defaming the Holocaust is conceptually similar to offense against the Prophet for Muslims."
The conceptual comparison is wrong There are no holocaust denial laws and accordingly there would be no anti-blasphemy laws either in US. He is deliberately misleading people that if countries which has holocaust denial laws also implemented anti blasphemy laws, such a movie would not have been made. This movie would have been made since this movie was made in US where freedom expression is an inalienable right.
Also if he is making the conceptual comparison, would he be willing to offer that holocaust denial laws are passed in all Muslim countries where he seeks to implement anti blasphemy laws? After all according to him the pain is similar is it not? Forget all countries, can he promise that he will get Ahmadenijad to stop denying holocaust?
@Ozymandias: "Ummm…he never mentioned America. " Imran implied that just as there are barriers of speech for holocaust denial there should be for blasphemy and if they existed, such films would not be made. In doing so, he is misleading people. This movie was not made in Germany, it was made in USA. So if US allows holocaust denial, why according to Khan's comparison should they deny freedom of expression to this Egyptian American?
@EHM: "In the constitutions of USA and EU, you will be in jail for one year on the denial of holocaust."
In US constitution there is reference to holocaust denial? Making stuff up are we? Please provide reference.
@EHM
Rubbish. There is no mention of the holocaust in the USA constitution and I will remind you that Columbia University invited Ahmadinejad to speak where he defended his view that the Holocaust was a fabrication. You have a computer I suggest you Google before you write.
@pakistani: "@usama @… what he meant is that if jews dont allow freedom of speech on even question holocaust then why when sentiments are muslims are damaged by such act they call it freedom of speech…."
In US where this movie was made there are no holocaust denial laws, so the comparison is prima facie valid. Secondly in the couple of countries where the laws DO exist, you cannot deny holocaust in those countries media. But for example Iranian President does denyholocaust in Iran - those laws do not apply to him. So by the same token the blasphemy laws that apply in your country do not apply in other countries. Plus when Iran routinely denies holcaust, have you seen angry Germans or jews lynching others and killing unrelated Iranians? Finally the holocaust laws in Germany are for the protection of minority, the blasphemy laws in the Muslim world are for oppressing the minority. Huge difference.
Atleasr he came out with a statement. What happened to all those in Power? Where is PPP. PMLN PMLQ Leadership??
@Sadia: well they are busy killing palestinians if you have forgotton and anyone threatening israel.
@JustSaying: well by in questioning holocaust you end up in jail in germany and britain. also there are 1.6 billion muslims in the world. vs 20 millions jews.
you can get 100,000 muslims riled up easy especially if its the prophet and post 9-11 atmosphere.
@Usama: I guess you don't get his point since you think like a typical average man. His point is Holocaust is a no go area for debate in the west , therefore defaming of prophet should be considered the same.
@waqas: Fully agreed !!! bro
"They do not know how much we love our beloved Prophet (pbuh) … that Muslims are willing to sacrifice their lives for him"
But why are they sacrificing other lives like this innocent US ambassador?
BTW why is everybody dragging poor Jews into all this? The movie was a made by a coptic Egytian pornographic film producer and some evalegical christian right wing people (allied to Terry pastor). Jews have nothing to do with this either in producing it or acting it.
i was looking for a condemnation from him. Something like - "Some ignorant americans have hurt feelings of Muslims all around the world by denigrating our beloved prophet. Those people in question should be dealt strictly by their government, however it is madness to kill innocent people because of that film. I condemn the embassy killings and would never stand for such cowards who kill innocent people in the name of religion."
lol
@TightChxxx: These Jews were 6 Million and there are more than 1 Billion Muslims in the world and all of the 1 Billion people are willing to die in the respect of our Prophet MUHAMMAD (PBUH). The movie played with the sentiments of more that 1 Billion people. So the Khan is right that there must have to be a law across Europe and USA to prevent this as there is a law in case of Holocaust denial.
Why there is a law that is giving protection to the sentiments of a few million people (Jews) and why there is not a law to give protection to the sentiments of more than 100 Million people?
@Usama: To understand it one should have brains. People with low IQ can always think of an apple and orange.
For all those who ask when and how did the jews avenge the holocaust. The answer is quite simple. In a country called Palestine since 1948. All Israeli zionist have consistently hijacked all attempts to have an intellectual and truthful discourse on the holocaust. Little known and even less publicized fact is that the nazis killed more Russians than Jews in the 2nd world war. Even one of the israeli MP in recent years disputed the 6 million jews figure of the holocaust and said it was more likely 60,000. Despite this anyone caught uttering a word against the holocaust or Israel is branded 'anti-semitic' however when it comes to defaming consistently and continously Islam and its followers everything is allowed in the guise of free speech. The best way out of this impasse is for the world to come together and mark red lines which should not be crossed by others.
@Cautious:
In USA and EU, you just deny holocaust on facebook and other social media sites, then you will don't know, what has happened to you. In the constitutions of USA and EU, you will be in jail for one year on the denial of holocaust.
If you don't agree, just try to deny holocaust on social media in US and EU.
Bang on ! Point well presented IK. Matter fact, no muslim will ever say anything uncivil about any prophet. To us they are all sacred. Why does rest of the world have a difficulty in understanding that? Truth is, a true muslim cannot hurt the feelings of any person - hindus included. To my friends across the border - please take it easy and stop spewing hatred.
he is a TV personality, not worth anything else
@Fed Up Indian: I am simply disgusted to see this clip. This guy is so naive but thinks that he is God's gift to Pakistan if not to the whole world.
Khan Sahib, after reading your statement I think you have become a confused person,you want to give statement to stay in news. Please go to Waziristan., do some thing for them,build Hospital schools and set up some industry so they have work. Leave us with Zerdari ,Sharifs and Chowdaries.We will survive for another term of looters.
I am stunned by the intellect of Noora professionals. IK has used Hcst as an analogy not a strict to senso comparison.
He is making a conceptual comparison. The offense to Jews on defaming the Holocaust is conceptually similar to offense against the Prophet for Muslims. Those who are writing figures of people dead in Holocaust as a way to criticze Khan are notgetting his point. He is a courageous and remarkably insightful leader. The anxiety towards Khan reflects more than anything else the crisis of the Pakistani liberal elite. They need to think the question of religion in more conceptually sophisticated ways.
Khan is speaking about the sentiments. Jews are hurt when they are ridiculed because of their religion, similarly, many muslims feel the same way.
However, wrecking cars, burning property is not at all acceptable and should be classified under terrorism.
I think Khan is doing the right thing, we cannot expect the common people to be tolerant, moderation is induced slowly.
Now,I think those people must get hushed who used to blame Imran as Jews agent. Can anyone dare talk this sensitive issue like Imran; no,never. while others r silent Imran is defending the sacred truth, bravo, friend and foe both hav turned to discuss ur leadership for the tomorow of the land of pure. your skills r trendsetters!!
Khan is great but we should condemn the persons doing wrong rather County as a whole...This only helps those hatred culprits who are interested in polarized world, the world which is unstable, full of sectarianism, not good for any one...
@IceSoul: FYI.. at the time when Muhammad PBUH Came back and Conquered Makkah, Forgave everyone EXCEPT some 11 persons... One of them was a woman she was executed as she was Charged with blasphemy...
Personally, I am not in favor of forbidding holocaust deniers to express their ill-informed opinion. Many people are hurt now and then by stupid opinions, but if they are grown-ups they know in their hearts that those people are often just ignorant. I only fight equals not ignorant people. But I am sorry to say that for non-believers Islam is just another superstition, whether you like it or not. Any prove that all your prayers are somewhere overheard and acted upon? If so I am a Muslim tomorrow. Have the poor been clothed and housed? Have their cancers been healed? What IK is doing is comparing things that can be verified with things that cannot. So IK wake up and keep your religion between you and the divine but don't compare facts with fiction. Too many ill-informed are dying daily because of your basic logical mistakes. Try to be on the right side of humanity and history.
Just keep in mind only one thing: Almighty Allah created this world only due to His beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH. We are here in this world due to our Prophet PBUH. Our love for Him is beyond boundryies. We strongly condemn this hatred movie. Protests in Muslims countries are justified. But what we need is to act upon the teachings of our Prophet PBUH and learn from His holy life. Promoting Islam like Yazeed is never a part of our religion as some groups are trying to do in these days. Killing one innocent person is equal to the killing of entire humanity. But when somebody try to impose their power on Muslim nations then obviously Jihad is a key and duty of Muslims (Jiehad, in the form of army if that Muslim country have otherwise the people of that country and also for their Muslim brothers).
Do the Jews go an violent rampage with death threats against holocaust deniers? No one controls internet . There is hate speech by crackpots against every religion and race. Response against offensive material by certain sections of Muslims is different compared to other religions. can someone enlighten me as to why the response is different?
Imran Khan speaks different language when interviewed on Indian news channels which changes dramatically on Pak news channels. My reading is that his views are more honest in India but he plays real or some may call it dirty politics in Pakistan to garner more votes for his party. He is proving himself as a seasoned politician and whether it would work for his objective or not, only time will tell.
Imran khan is right. I am amazed still the liberal fascist are getting mad for no good reason. Still waiting any comment from Asma Jahangir, Marvi sermad and others .. but they can not "Naraz" to their Aqqa United State of Cults.
Tehreek Insaf chairman wants roots of his party in the tribal areas, just like Pakistan Peoples Party in Sindh,Muslim League (n) in Punjab and MQM in Karachi and adjacent areas.
If he succeeded in his mission there would be no single party who make government in the center there be chances of coalition in the center forever. It would also be not favorable regarding the national unity.
he is not comparing 'holocaust and blasphemy'. he is comparing 'denial of holocaust and blasphemy'. one can be jailed in Europe "for just questioning the actuality of the massacre because it hurt the sentiments of the Jews". the same law should be applied to the one who speaks nonsense about the Prophet, let alone making blasphemous movies.
As usual misleading title by ET. IK pointed out that you cannot question or debate Holocaust. He was talking about freedom of expression here.
For people specifically the ignorant ones,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holocaustdenial#LawsagainstHolocaustdenial
I m so sick of this ignorance, that i'm not going to give any more energy in explanation of what Khan meant than what I already have..
Here he goes again......
@Mj: @Cautious: Ummm...he never mentioned America. Please do try and read the piece before going ballistic. Furthermore, he never equated blasphemy with the Holocaust. Again, read the piece before making even greater fools of yourselves, thanks.
I fully endorse IK's views; Bravo IK!
@IceSoul:
oh comeon french designer Galliano was convicted just because of derogatory remarks against jews .. even though he was drunk ...
@zeeshan sheikh: You said it.!!! .....its easy and cozy for these Laptop "Evolutionaries"......
@Zeeshan Sheikh: You have shown with your comment that you have strayed far from the path of Islam? Did the Hazrat Muhammad PBUH kill anyone for voicing his views, whether on the street or in his home?
And ya, there are NO LAWS IN THE US against Holocaust denial.
@Zalim Singh: Jews as its happens Zionist Jew mostly (not that living in Iran) after the Houlocast went sent to Palestine where they got a strip of land of about more or less size of soccer field which they are expanding till this day by invading ransacking, to the size of what is now ISRAEL..... O but you came out the rock yesterday ....
@zeeshan sheikh: "All you liberals what you’re commenting while hiding inside you homes. why don’t you shout your exact words on the streets of Pakistan. It will be fun you know."
Threats of violence? Why cannot your arguments stand on their own merit?
Yesterday in his interview, Mr. Mohsin-e-Pakistan of TTP called Imran Khan an immature politician, who has no clue of anything. Imran, with this statement proved Mohsin-e-Pakistan right.
@Cautious: Socially, economically & politically, developing countries are very much different from the US... can't compare the two... US has it's 200 years history of butchering the Red Indians and Blacks before sanity and decency finally prevailed... i suppose the reaction would have relatively muted had hundreds of thousands of Muslims has not been killed in the US-led Iraq and Afghanistan war ... i suppose the US is providing ample opportunities to the radical elements to ignite hatred against the US.
@Anti-mullah: That's my point Mr. Anti Mullah, if u cared to read my entire comment and tried to understand it... That u cannot just pass laws upon laws to appease a few... people need to be tolerant.. if something hurts a few in some pockets of the world, u cant pass a law all over the world.. If Muslims make up 1.6 billion of the world and expect a law be passed for them, what if Christians, who make up 2.4 billion of the world, say that they believe in only Jesus as their God and anyone else who prays to any other God is disrespecting their god and hurting their sentiments and want to pass a law as such, what will u have to say? would u support it? would it make sense? And the law abt speaking against holocaust is effective in only a few countries which were either directly involved or are neighbouring countries, not the entire world. For that matter you guys do have ur own blasphemy laws dont you? dont expect to enforce that on the whole world!
So if West decides to enact anti-blasphemy laws to protect the sentiments of Muslims, I trust the Islamic countries would return the favor by enacting laws against holocaust denial to protect the sentiments of Jewish people.
Am I right?
IK u dare to enter in the US ambsessy along witn Hafiz Saeed in protest and see the result .
America has no such laws. Imran Khan betrays his ignorance.
All you liberals what you're commenting while hiding inside you homes. why don't you shout your exact words on the streets of Pakistan. It will be fun you know.
@Usama: he is only highlighting the commonality "hurting of sentiments at mass level" between the two episodes... it's not comparing apples with oranges.
@Zalim Singh: Can't you see them burning the whole world but silently.
so many people in this forum has a comprehension problem. it is not the comparison of two events ... it is the comparison of sentiments.. which are alike for two different events.. whoever is ranting against IK, here i suggest to go to youtube and post a video against jews... or try to make page against jews etc... your account will be blocked at once... while everybody is at large to speak against our prophet (PBUH) and youtube/ facebook allows it,... shame..
@Hurting_Sentiments!!: First pass such laws in India before commenting
this guy caressing mullahs/right wingers by one hand and army by other hand. he will flop.
Rubbish. In the USA you can deny the holocaust, dress up in a Nazi uniform and protest outside a Jewish Synagogue and otherwise prove to the World your a bigoted jerk - it's called freedom of speech an it's considered a basic right under the Constitution. What you can't do is physically harm or threaten to harm anyone - offensive language is not a legal justification for attacking/harming someone - no exceptions.
@Fed Up Indian: Its Dangerous for those who want Pakistan to fail....like some Indians like you....not to those who want Pakistan to succeed..
@Usama: This is called reasoning and negotiations. Go read the pacts our Prophet (PBUH) did with Jews and the non Muslims of his age! Your comment does not make sense!
By age he is getting more & more religious and jamaati type thinker rather then liberal, democratic and free thinker. i don't consider him same leader anymore cause he is play'ing with people sentiments by preaching islam and taking about these kind of events for politics purposes.
First implement sharia in Pakistan.
Confused minds are criticizing here without knowing what IK said..In US they have laws that there cant be any discussion on holocaust so all he is asking that if US has laws for Hate speech against Jews,US should also make laws for hate speech against Muslims..Whts wrong in that statement..
@ Usama, It is about hurting religious sentiments, you can do it in a different way depending on which nerve you pick of the religious people ( not just Muslims), For Jews you can hurt them through discussing Holocaust
@observer, If you have ever been to England and have surfed time in searching pages of history, you will be discouraged and be jailed if you came out with the facts different than the officially quoted. I can vouch, you get ten different stories of Holocaust if you really look in to this event, but you cant challenge it or else you can be 'Jailed'!
It is not the Muslims rather arms merchants controlled western leaders are responsible for destroying religious harmony in the world. Education system in the West is teaching that they are the best human and in this way creating racism. Let people of all religions be united against religious fanataics and arms mechants who are testing the efficacy of their arms is several Muslim countries, Go ahead Imran Khan.
Mahboob Dhaka, Bangladesh
@Usama: Small wonder For you people violation of human rights, faith and religious rights is always like comparing apples and oranges, Imrans argument is logical, analytical and comprehensive. If holocaust is hurting the sentiments of millions of jews then violation of blesphamy laws is crucifying sentiments of billions of muslims. Your notion is preposterous and Imran's courageous statement is perfectly correct.
@Usama USA has killed a million Muslims too worldwide. So protest against them is justified.
@Usama you English is good but your Urdu is poor ...have you heard what Imran khan said in Chitral? He actually said if anybody in Europe or West speaks against holocaust, he can be imprisoned because according to their law it hurts the sentiments of Jews...so similarly we muslims feel the pain when anybody insults Islam OR Our prophet, so a uniform laws should be made in west to stop these abuse in the name of Freedom. People in the west have different approach to religion and Muslims have different approach to their religion. For Muslims it is a way of life.
The United States of America is playing a game against the Muslims and this is very clear from this statement made by the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The film that has denigrated the Islamic Prophet should be banned. Freedom of Speech and Expression does not justify an expression that is derogatory or hurting to any religious sentiments. This film is unacceptable and should be banned. Republic of India which is also a democracy has banned the book SATANIC VERSES written by Salman Rushdie hence there is no reason why The United States of America cannot do so. The intention of the US is clear that they do not wish to ban such films that are anti-Islamic as their ulterior intentions are to move outright against the Islamic World. No doubt Islamic Fundamentalism deserves to be crushed and those who support it should meet with a similar fate and there comes no question of human rights for those Islamic Fundamentalists nevertheless the fact cannot be denied that all Muslims are not fundamentalists or fanatic hence the entire race cannot be treated as criminals or a threat to humanity. Hurting or encouraging derogatory views against Islam is being unreasonable and the US should refrain from such acts. The producer or producers and director of this film should be brought to the books and legal action should be taken by the Government of The United States of America. As regards the ban on the Indian writer Salman Rushdie the 'Fatwa' should be waived of by the Islamic Government of Iran and their clergy which will show their consideration towards such a writer. The film that has denigrated the Prophet Mohammad has been made with the intention to hurt the Islamic sentiments of those who practice this faith and this is most unfortunate an act that should be condemned. US showing their inability to act is certainly not a weakness of the state but a clear indication that they want to go outright against the Muslims of the world.
@ IM the Dim,
where did you see Jews rioting and burning embassies for avenging Holocaust?
@usama @... what he meant is that if jews dont allow freedom of speech on even question holocaust then why when sentiments are muslims are damaged by such act they call it freedom of speech....
I just dont understand why most of the readers are so ignorant. All Imran wants to say is that "Just like talking about Holocaust is a crime in the westertn world and protected by law, similarly, insulting the great prophets and leaders should also be protected by law in the west".
He sounds exactly like Jamaat-e-Islami. What's the difference?
Tell our president to talk like him if he can..
Now this is what i call an educated leader. And I am hopefull that he will bring a good and great change.
@IceSoul
Then go troll on Libya's forums. Pakistan and Libya is separated by a thousand miles..
@JoinHands!: Wow! Spoken like a true leader – very courageous of him to speak out loud for Islam.
You got to be kidding us. Do you really believe in what you typed? In Pakistan, you need courage to talk for against the holocaust of minorities, the atrocities perpetuated in the name of blasphemy law, the genocide of Shias.
The kind of courage you are talking about is abundance in Pakistan. The Mullahs, the TTP, and the fanatics exhibit it on a daily basis. They must be your "true leaders" too.
I fully endorse IK's statement.
@observer
You, obviously, are impressed by propaganda against Ahmadenijad in the western media. You can dislike his statements /views but just search they way this guy lives despite being president of one of the biggest country of the region. His lifestyle puts to shame the leader of 'so called' Muslim countries including Pakistan.
@Usama: @IceSoul: @observer: @...: Oh come on he's making a valid point. It's like mentioning the horrible events of Holocaust and if the concerned people are reminded about it again then one must see their tolerance similarly blasphemy is worst then Holocaust because we love our beloved PROPHET(May Peace Be Upon Him) and can never tolerate someone making a mockery out of it.
Misleading title....once again.
And the appeasement contest between PTI and PML-N starts now!
Clear and precise today, Mr Khan.
Respect for any Prophet is far higher than an false event. What he wanted to tell west the similarity and punished for an act though we should ask for much severe. In old times, muslims and non muslims lived together and prayed in Jeruselum.
All those so called muslims , who are very soft on this act of jews are very wrong because i saw that clip-age and believe me it is made purely and totally rubbish and to hummilate the best ever human. they showed very very disrespecting thing in that clipage which i can't even mention here. so what muslims did i support them because if America which tries to prove herself the godfather of every nation have stopped and punished them for this act conversely they actually did nothing on it rather they supported the make of movie.
when a person,s family dies, he picks up arms in revenge and uses it against his own countrymen Imran khan on this principle the entire nation should pick up arms against Taliban because how many innocents they have killed in bomb blasts including women and children. why dont you side with the victims on this side. are you ready to take their revenge and lead them against talibans.
What about the "Holocaust" of the minorities in Pakistan in the name of religion and blasphemy law, which is indeed a true parallel here. Again a cheap statement for the consumption of delusional religious right, which already thinks everything in the entire universe is conspiring against them.
Mr Tsunami is sounding more and more bizarre with each passing day. And the sheep in the land of the pure think he will lead the country out of the present mess. Yeah Right!
I deny holocaust.
What a comparison. I hope Ahmadenijad is not tutoring you these days. And what is this jail thing in Europe for questioning holocaust? Misleading the poor masses.
The difference between holocaust and blasphemy is : In holocaust the jews got killed/murdered...in blasphemy the "others" get killed/murdered, not the muslims! Besides. when someone blathers offensive anti-Semitic or pro-holocaust remarks, jewish mob doesnt go on rampage and blow up the embassies and the diplomats.
@...
Why only jews? Why not rights of all?
Khan is right.
However, I have not seen Jews burning down embassies, killing people, destroying properties of Iranians, because Ahmadinejad denies Holocaust.
Imran Khan, you are leading a country of already failed people into further chaos. This path is dangerous.
Wow! Spoken like a true leader - very courageous of him to speak out loud for Islam. God bless Imran.
So do you mean you will protect the rights of Jews if you are elected?
It's dangerous for Pakistanis to vote for this guy. He has no intention at all to remove the blasphemy law but keeps on talking about 'misuse'. His understanding of the situation is very superficial. He believes that Salman Taseer and Shahbaz Bhatti were killed because they were "pro-American and anti-Islam" instead of seeing them as people trying to protect their own community/constituency. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0M4vmU0Wk8