Ultimatum to US: ‘Criminalise blasphemy or lose consulate’
Several Muslim parties and a Christian group held rallies on Sunday to protest against a movie released in America.
Around 10,000 people participated in the main rally organised on The Mall by the Tehreek Hurmat-i-Rasool (THR). The participants marched from Nila Gumbad to Masjid-i-Shuhada on The Mall. Despite a ban on rallies on The Mall, the road remained blocked for vehicular traffic from noon to 6pm.
The rally was addressed by Jamatud Dawa chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, THR head Ameer Hamza, JD leader Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki, Pakistan Muslim League (Zia) head Ijazul Haq, Jamaat Ulema Islam-Sami (JUI-S) leader Asim Makhdoom and Jamaat Ahle Hadith ameer Hafiz Abdul Ghaffar Ropari.
One of the participants of the rally, Abdullah Ismail, passed away after he was taken to Mayo Hospital. Witnesses said he had complained of feeling unwell from the smoke from US flags burnt at the rally.
Hafiz Saeed alleged that the film, Innocence of Muslims, had been produced with the backing of US establishment. He said the director, the producer and all those involved in the production and release of the movie must be hanged publicly. “The US must make a law against blasphemy – or we will not let the US consulates in Pakistan function,” he said.
He said a resolution condemning the movie in the parliament was not enough. Instead, President Asif Ali Zardari must announce jihad against countries like the US that supported attacks on Islam. The Organisation of Islamic Countries Conference should announce a boycott of US goods. Ijazul Haq, the PML-Z chief, said the people had shown their loyalty to Islam. He said the government leader’s silence was shameful. He said no one had dared commit blasphemy during his father Ziaul Haq’s rule.
Shabab-i-Milli, the youth wing of the Jamaat-i-Islami, also held a rally near Punjab University’s new campus.
Speaking to the gathering, Jamaat-i-Islami Ameer Munawar Hasan said the film had been produced by a Zionist with US support.
He said, “If the US claims to be a civilised nation, why does it stoop to insult other religions and civilisations?”
JI general secretary Liaqat Baloch said the US stooges ruling the Muslim world were on the run now. They had met a humiliating fate in Tunisia, Egypt and Turkey. He said Pakistan was on the threshold of a revolution.
A small protest rally against the film was also taken out by a group of Christian from Model Colony, Gulberg. The rally concluded at Seven Up Chowk having marched through Mecca Colony.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 17th, 2012.
COMMENTS (264)
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It's just a movie that should be protected under free speech. There are many movies, books, and tv shows that express personal opinion or what some see as facts. If this movie should be banned because of its content I believe disrespecting Christianity should be banned as well. I also believe burning the American flag the symbol out our great country should be absolutely not tolerated, but I don't control the stupidity of Americans. To put blame on a low budget terrible film like this one for terrorism is asinine. Look at the facts and use common sense.
They better hope they can get anti-blasphemy laws passed. Because Islam cannot stand in the face of reasoned criticism.
@bosty: "makes us wonder how strong a faith can be if such a silly film can cause it damage."
I think you touched a really raw nerve, right there....
@M.Ahmer Ali: "Would you like to explain that when a film is made then is passed and permitted by the film censor board to become releasable or unreleasable and who controls the film censor board?"
It's EXACTLY why the US government has no responsibility whatsoever in this "film", that apparently has never been released, nor viewed by anyone, and the only existing trace of it is this 13 mn "trailer" put on youtube (by who ???), and certainly not with the official approval of any US official.
I wouldn't dare say the same thing about the videos broadcasted by the official islamic medias targeting the jews (cf the link in my previous message).
Where do all these American flags come from? Do you have a stock pile of them just for burning? I have no Pakisani flags, or Egyprian flags, or Iranian flags, or Iraqi,or Afghanastani flags and wouldn''t know where to buy one even if I wanted to burn it in effigy.
@M.Ahmer Ali: "First of all any muslim of the world shall not any blasphemous movie against any non-muslims’ religion of the world because Islam teaches us honor and respect the other non-muslims’ religions of the world and would you like to explain that suppose if any muslim makes any blasphemous movie against Christianity or any other non-muslims’ religion then what shall you do?????"
One thing we don't do is behead people or otherwise kill, burn the property of, or otherwise persecute other Muslims for your insane beliefs. Please explain to the rest of us civilized people how your "Islam teaches us honor" coincides with that?
people stop being mean to perwez amin, a person has already corrected him so it quite unnecessary to gang up and rant about how wrong he is
@Maqbool Basha: Many Americans would favor not buying any more cheap, poorly made crap from Pakistan.
@abc: The United States is not subordinate to nor are the answerable to the UN.
@us: If anyone has a right to be bitter, it is Christians and Jews. You folks have been persecuting them for years. Your imprisonment and execution of Christians is what offends me and you talk about a movie? Get real. Hundreds of thousands of muslims dancing in the streets after 3000 Americans were murdered by muslims in 2001 is offensive. The feigned outrage of third world countries grows tiresome
We should be fine with these folks not wanting our consulates there. We should close all embassies in Pakistan and withdraw all financial and military aid. We should also revoke all visas of anyone from Palestine and send those folks back home.Then, the next time an American is killed in their country, we should invade the country and send them back into the stone age.
Well, this was a start... Another 1.5 Billion and we're good to go!
@joni: Shoulda been done long ago
What I find offensive is that these radicals find a silly, poorly made film MORE offensive than the riots and murdering of innocent people simply because they happen to be Americans. Then if that isn't disgusting enough, to call it a "gift". I doubt that the death of the man who inhaled fumes from our American flag will be looked upon as karma, but maybe it should be. Only one thing is certain.... Violence solves NOTHING and it certainly does not do anything to help the Muslim people who wish to promote their religion as a "peaceful" one. Why can't people stop blaming an entire country over the actions of a select few? Why are the people in the Middle East so quick to burn and pillage?? It is THEIR COUNTRY after all, not ours that is suffering the damage. Don't they have better things to do with their time???????????
@Parvez Amin:
You are sadly mistaken, my friend. The constitution places almost no restrictions on speech and offending someone is not among them. We are free to offend each other. It is a very precious freedom. If you don't like the movie, don't watch, or make movie of your own. The antedote for bad speech is more speech.
@Parvez Amin: you're wrong, in America there are no exceptions to offense. words should never be an excuse to murder a fellow human being.
@Parvez Amin: Anyone can claim to be insulted, offended, or provoked by pretty much anything. There is no freedom of speech if speech is limited by possible offense, insult, or claimed provocation of others. That's tyranny, not freedom. That's mob rule, not freedom. In the USA one of our most basic rights is the freedom of speech. We hope that people use that freedom respectfully, but some don't. By law, their freedom of speech is protected also, as is everyone else's rights to disagree with what was said. The only limits on freedom of speech are when something one says clearly causes immediate and unnecessary danger to others - such as yelling 'fire' in a crowded area when there is no fire. In that situation, panicked people trying to flee all too often accidentally wind up crushing others. Otherwise, we expect that people are mature and civilized enough, however, that they will not take out frustration or anger at something someone says by destroying property, or physically attacking the offensive person - or even worse, by attacking other innocent people. When they aren't, they are the ones who wind up in court and who are punished, not the person exercising their freedom of speech.
@joni
Please stop using oil from the Middle East.
Stop supporting tyrants like Hosni Mubarak.
The oil is not yours , and your dollars mean nothing without that oil
So just stop taking the oil from the middle east
@honey bee
Love Oil, but hate Muslims? Yeah think about that bud.
You know why it's called petrodollars? It's not their oil.
What you all fail to understand is that the anger is not really about the film, but US interference in the region which has been going on long long before 9/11.
This US interference for oil which comes in the forms of various wars and support for tyrants is what these "extremists" are saying must end.
Anger against the film and now cartoon was just the unifying principle to express this more direct demand.
It is therefore a disservice to mischaracterize this anger and display a willing ignorance .
@Parvez Amin: Your comment offends me deeply. I demand that you be tried and punished, immediately.
@Parvez Amin: "Freedom of speech ends where the words and actions offend, insult and provoke others" NO IT DOES NOT
so, wait. we should stop all aid to Pakistan and blockade all imports, sounds like... wonder how long it would take before they decided maybe they need the US after all...
@Jamshed: First of all all of the us aid is spent on the illetrate rulers of pakistan. Which already means that we are living without the neednof any aid and other than that if the gawadar port is made, which probably will not because of the americans, we could get 4 times the revenue and budget to control Pakistan. Why does it happen in usa why isnt china or germany invovled in such acts?
@M.Ahmer Ali: Response to Question 1: Who controls the film censor board: The MPAA, or the Motion Picture Association of America, a private, voluntary entity not enforced by law. Meaning, there is no government control involved. Response to Question 2: Actually, if there were a film blaspheming Christianity (aren't there plenty already?) we'd react exactly as you've stated; keep silence and show patience and tolerance. True followers of ANY faith show patience and tolerance. Anyone who attacks with violence, death and hatred is not a true follower of their faith, and thus is the real blasphemer.
@Nabil: An interesting analogy, but it is not the same principle. Racial Profiling and Sexual Harassment can lead to physical or socioeconomic harm, a direct threat upon a person's life. Those protections are in place to prevent false arrest, false imprisonment, sexual assault, rape, and infringement upon other amendments in the Bill of Rights. If the producer of this incendiary film had attacked Muslim persons then he would be charged with a Hate Crime. His attack is limited to speech (speech Americans were not even aware of until these protests, because few Youtube videos receive wide distribution), and thus is protected. If we disagree, we are more than free to voice our opposition (or even make a responding video), but any reaction that incites violence or harm becomes the true crime.
So those marginals want us to change our constitution because you do not like a movie or our freedom of speech? Instead of protesting... be happy. Go get yourself a good burger with lots of bacon, stone your women for being raped, and keep up the good work you are doing with your "peacefull religion" as you say it is
@Supa: President Obama supports freedom of speech and freedom of religion, the first amendment in our Bill of Rights, which includes those citizens who do not identify with any religion. I do agree with you that "blasphemous" films have been made in America, but even as a devout Christian, Bill Maher's film (actually titled "Religulous") doesn't shake my faith. In fact it strengthens it, because it engages me to explore my faith and find interior peace. Even if I disagree, I believe first and foremost that he is free to express his opinions, and it's more important and betters my person to engage in civil discourse through an open mind and non-violence. A child is easily provoked, but a mature person walks through the valley of the shadow of death and is not shaken by fear nor stirred into violence (lol, James Bond).
@M.Ahmer Ali: Would you like to explain that when a film is made then is passed and permitted by the film censor board to become releasable or unreleasable and who controls the film censor board?
Funniest thing I've read all day. What on earth is a film censor board?
It is quite heartening to read some of the comments of those who "get it", but from an American perspective we are bemused by some of the more ridiculous assumptions made about how things work here, and to be truthful this episode makes us wonder how strong a faith can be if such a silly film can cause it damage.
Even a child, in less than 2 minutes, can watch that video and see that the people who made it not only had no resources, but also had no knowledge about cinema, which questions their IQ in the first place. So a group of people world wide, with the only visible common thread being called "Islam", determine that the correct action should be to start executing ambassadors, etc., or for that matter, any American they can get their hands on. The Middle East is the last remaining piece of the planet where no improvement in human rights has occurred since before the Ottoman Empire existed. It would be for the best if the protesters stepped up the attacks to a level where the U.S. could finally step and finish the ongoing onslaught of barbarian behavior.
@Parvez Amin: Actually that's not true. Freedom of s
Speech means just that. How you feel about it is on you. I do hope that we separate the two countries. You can stay in the 13 century, we shall move on.
@Parvez Amin: There is nothing the filmmaker nor the producer can be charged with under US law. They could have made an equally insulting film about Jesus, Moses or non-religious figures like President Obama. Some years ago a photographer exhibited a photo of a crucifix immersed in a jar of urine. He was not prosecuted, and there were no violent protests. This is called "freedom of speech" and like most Americans I deplore this film and will not view it but do not believe our laws should be changed.
1st Amendment to the US Constitution: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Please note that our (I'm a US citizen) right to both freedom of (and, if one so wishes, from) religion AND speech were considered important enough to be placed together in the FIRST amendment. It will be awfully hard to convince any American that either should be curtailed just to asuage anothers hurt feelings. Learning to accept an insult without taking it personally, and sometimes even forgiving the person for it, is often considered a mark of maturity and adulthood for many of us.
So important do we consider our freedom of speech that some of us take Voltaire's words as a personal oath: "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."
i'm sorry that more of them didn't inhale the fumes from the burning flags.
@us: It does not take much to get a billion muslems out in the street burnig there cars and business ,
@Shahid: It is funny that you disagree with US policies, but when the Muslims move here they forget their faith. Women drive; go out by themselves, drink and smoke. Where is your faith then? Why are so many Muslims forgetting their faith when they are here? It is because they have a choice? Is it because they really do not believe in their faith? I am a Christian and there are many times that Christ has been insulated. I do not go out and burn houses, kill people or have demands. You don’t want the US in your country fine. But don’t call us when you are in trouble
I watched the trailer of this video, which, fortunately can be used in America to express an opinion. We have been assaulted on our own soil by people who think their beliefs are the only ones that count. Now they are saying we have no right to disagree with their belief, that this somehow has "infringed on their rights"? The maker of this video, in my view, is neither "right" or "wrong" to have an opinion. This "my god is better than your god" thinking has to stop and real communication has to begin if we are ever to have peaceful and pleasant lives. This country was founded on the premise of freedom of expression and freedom of choosing what to believe. To be "religious" is a choice, to be "non-religious" is a choice. We can do and be who we choose to be. If this government chooses to use prior illegal actions to haul this video maker into court to appease the radicals of any persuasion, then our first amendment will be down the tubes, and then?
@MZJ: If America started minding it's own business and stopped helping other countries, half the world world starve to death or die of disease.
Abdullah Amin died as a result of the "smoke from the US Flag" !! Sad it is on one sense, but also quite hilarious -- probably for the first time in recorded history that a flag of a country "kills" a person -- but this just goes to show how powerful America is ... when even its flag is lethal medicine...
@Not Likely: if you believe in freedom of speech why dont you publish a film about denial of the holocaust just for fun.... lets see if the "freedom" is given for you to do that... its a joke and dont even try and justify it....
The movie says more about the producer than it does about Islam. It is so bad, the producer is insulting himself more than being blasephemous to Islam. If you choose to be so offended, you should first look at what is tolerated by yourself, your country, and your peers. Ironically, the biggest offender to Islam are the violent Jihadists who prey mostly on other Muslims. And many of those violent Jihadist gained widespread support in the Islamic world in one form or another. Ironically, a country with a Christian majority is leading the fight against organizations which have made it routine to kill other Muslims. Many in Islamic countries still do not understand they are willful victims. How can they tolerate and idolize those among them who prey on them? Idolotry is forbidden in Islam, but Bin Laden was a living idol.
@Nabil. The principle is not the same because race, sex, etc aren't a choice. Religion is a choice and a belief..it is not discrimination to have a negative view of it or its followers. (although we do have laws against persecution based on religion) in the same way as you will have a negative view of your politcal opponents etc. you are allowed to not like and not respect others beliefs.
@Mubashir: Very well spoken. I agree that Muslims should not let the rantings of another cause such turmoil. They should teach with love, peace, and forgiveness. Finally, someone with some sense spoke what needed to be said. Proud of your response. Thank you.
@sabi:
"If you mean blasphemy law then ,it is not supported by Quran,sunnah.fiqah,hadith,or by any companion of Holy prophet (pubh).If you think it is islamic law then burden of proof lies on your shoulders."
Yes, there is plenty of support for blasphemy laws in the quran, sunnah and the hadith if you take the effort to do an objective study of the scriptures.
The world where USA begins to mind its own business instead of trying to 'help' other countries, specially in the Middle East, would be a much more peaceful world. That will only stop if the US stops considering itself to be the World's police.
If my house isn't in order, I want time and space to deal with whatever issues I have. I don't a guy from across town telling me what he thinks is best for me. Every individual is different, every country is different.
hay what ever happened to Salomom Rushdi
@Nabil:
"@Liberal Fascist: Although I agree with you but I fail to understand that why then do we have laws against racial profiling or sexual harassment. The principle involved is similar is it not?"
No it is not. Racial profiling and sexual harassment deprive a person's fundamental rights for personal freedom as they "attack" the person and not an idea. Verbally criticizing, lampooning, burning a book, shooting a video etc. about religion in no way affects the freedom of people to practice that religion.
Freedom of speech does not end when someone is offended. You have no right to be unoffended your whole life. You DO have the right to speak out against it, however (and again, that is freedom of speech).
The idea of freedom of speech was created to protect unpopular speech. If you don't understand that, then you really don't understand the concept at all. Anti-blasphemy laws are NOT freedom of speech- they are an infringement on human rights, and are easily abused.
@AnisAqeel:
I enjoy the fact that one of the Muslim protesters, Abdullah Ismail, died from inhaling fumes from the burning U.S. Flag. We should put chemicals on all U.S. flags that go overseas, when burned, turn into poisonous gas. Leave our flags alone, no one gets hurt, Burn them, you die. Excellent. Excellent.
Perhaps these fanatics should wrap themselves in the American Flag before they light it aflame....then they wont have to worry about inhaling toxic fumes......
Alright let's go with that Blasphemy law. We are a Christian nation built on Christian precepts and I believe the Muslim faith states that our Saviour Jesus Christ was not what he claimed. So who is blaspheming who in this case? The movies says nothing about Mohammad that he didn't say or claim himself. So how is this blasphemy? Yet your hatred of those of us who believe in and worship Jesus is now a violent affront to our constitutional rights. We have the right to choose who we worship and also freedom of speech. Just as you do. When we have a movie which attacks Jesus, as Christians we merely boycott it. You may want to try that intelligent method of civil disobedience. Emphasis placed on "CIVIL"!!!!
@Nabil: Racial profiling and sexual harassment are behavior, not speech.
@Parvez Amin: You are wrong. Freedom is speech is nothing if it doesn't extend to what offends you.
Why in Gods name are we occupying places where we are not wanted, we should get out and let them to their own demise. By the way... have you ever seen anyone burning US currency in protest? NOT!
I guess a little toxicology advice should have been in order. Many, many combustion products (wool,synthetics, other fabrics) contain cyanide (look at the deaths in hotel fires and plane crashes when there are no burn injuries in fatalities).
Oh well, I guess there weren't enough secular protesters present. Trust me, faith doesn't turn chicken sh*t into chicken salad. Natural laws make no exceptions.
Every year, we treat people who believe their faith will allow them to handle poisonous serpents
I know of a few good A-10 pilots looking for work
I see all the protesters against the West in.....jeans,t-shirts,tennis shoes on cell phones with twitter accounts , while being broadcasted on You Tube and T.v......... I see a trend here!
@Parvez Amin: It's freedom of speech no matter if you or i agree or disagree with it. Period, and that whole keeping church and state separate thing that is in the constitution. Just because a religion wants something in the US the belief is not going to get a law for it, and it's laughable.
If we cut off aid to the countries that are burning our flag, I bet that will send a message. This was the act of one fool who made a D rate movie that was not even the quality of a Saturday Night Live skit. These people need to see it for what it is. Many questionable movies and satires have been made about Jesus Christ and the Christians do not riot in the streets.
If the US ever criminalizes blasphemy (not that I want to), it should make islam illegal because it's blasphemy against christianity, and christianity illegal because it's blasphemy against islam.
@Parvez Amin: No,Freedom of speech STARTS when the words and actions offend, insult and provoke others others. It's not designed to protect only speech you or I like or agree with. The freedom comes from being able to say that which offends, insults and provokes. Otherwise it's just the ability to say what others want to hear.
@Karim Azizi: I agree. I feel the same who would make this video are burning flags. Just someone else s flag. we must get past all the extremism.
So will the US get blamed for this death as well? Actually, the flag was probably made in China so using their logic....
@Parvez Amin: Sorry , the first amendment to the constitution guarantees free speech. You will find that a progressing nation shall not deny free speech. Come on over to the 21st century. No such thing as Blasphemy charges in the US . We respect the rights of others no matter what their faith. If someone offends you super hero it doesn't mean they are put to death or sent to prison. Sticks and stones and all that. What could not happen in this country is the intimidation of free worship. You cannot enter another personal property and burn a cross or bible or Koran ,That's not the same thing.
Who cares? Everyone needs to get over it! Next step for mankind.
john 3:16
@M.Ahmer Ali:
In reply to your questions to liberal fascist as unbelievable as you may find this:
1) There is no censor board in the USA. Anyone can make any movie. Anyone can post it to YouTube. It may be difficult to convince people to watch it though. No one would watch a movie as badly made or written as the one creating the controversy.
2) Movies blasphemous to Christians are made all the time in the USA. Christians boycott them or ignore them. They don't riot or hurt people or call for hangings though.
@us: 'The video should be immediately removed as it is highly offensive and provocative to 1.2 billion of the globe.'
the 1.2bil gets provoked on almost anything expect on the poverty, illiteracy, women's rights, killing of muslims by other muslims, abuse of human rights in their own countries, and the list goes on. grow up!
its a start
i think we should send them several new batches of flags....
died from inhaling fumes from burning American flag? it's a start
We cannot expect these people to honor our values as they do not understand and/or respect them. We have a greater value on life than they do and we have a great appreciation for free speech. The US government should suspend all monies sent to these countries, it is a watse and does nothing to promote peace there.
"Criminalise blasphemy or lose consulate" the answer is NO!
Ok, soooo....if we don't criminalize blasphemy we need to remove our consulate from Pakistan? Great! No problem! And let's just make sure we take all of our trade goods and money with us. Actually, how about we do that with ALL of these countries that hate us and give haven to terrorists? And while we are at it let's put that money we used to give them into paying down our debt and rebuilding our middle class instead of paying people to hate us...sound good?
Say what you want about my God. I'm not so insecure that I care. He is bigger than that. As far as our country making a law against blasphemy, IT'S CALLED SEPARATION OR CHURCH AND STATE. We don't bow to Sharia law, and never will.
I totally agree with them, get our people out and cut their funding NOW!! This outrage is NOT dying down this movie was made by and Egyptian who is from Egypt and it was aired in Egypt on 9/11. He used a Jewish name and said he was funded by a Christian organization, I believe the Muslim Brotherhood is behind all this. I dont agree with the movie, I was offended and I am not a Muslim but this was preplanned
I agree with them get our people the heck out of there
Whenever religion is discussed in American schools, the various religions of the world are almost universally discussed in a non-judgmental, intelligent manner.
Christian and Jewish religions enjoy the same respect when discussed in an Islamic educational setting, right? Yeah, right.
These People are a Hatefull People. Who are they to condem the US .Who is set to give them 2 billion dollars a year thanks to Barac Obama, One of them. (Muslim's) This money comes from the working class tax payers of the US who have Freedom of Speech. Get Over It.
Americans disrespect our flag everyday. How many t-shirts, stickers, and credit cards do you see with it on it?
The US government cannot punish the maker of the video without Breaking the law. Americans have the right to freedom of speech And expression. We also have freedom of religion. Blasphemy is not Illegal here. The video was offensive but not illegal. With so many different people And belief systems living together someone is bound to be offended by something. People make fun of my religion all the time. But I will defend their right to do so because If one persons freedom of speech is taken away then mine could be taken too. Freedom cannot be compromised.
@Parvez Amin: One of the most highly protected rights of US citizens is the right to expression. There are no protections against being offended.
@us: @Parvez Amin: The US should not bend to the will of these people. We should not break out constitution for anyone. Jews have faced prejudice for the majority of their existence and not once have they acted in this matter.
Once the US bends over to these hateful people, it will be the end of us and the world.
I am not a jew myself and have no affiliations to either side. I merely speak one what ive seen.
Everybody has a right to believe what they want and I respect that right. But I do not have to respect that belief. Blasphemy is a victimless crime.
All those people who think we should not comment on the criminal hate material that is the film in question, continue to respond to the likes of JAMATUD DAWA leaders. They are no less sickening in their behaviour than the video makers.
Each such mischief is explioted to its maximum by the inept religious leaders of our country to incite hatred towards the liberal world. They have created a hellish world for themselves and now wish for all others to do so too.
I see the Islamic love in the flag burning "death to America" protests. Islam is being represented just as this idiot that made the video was hoping. The radical muslums have fallen into the trap and are made to look the fool. I support freedom of speach and freedom to ignore. Unpopular speach is exactly what is protected. When Pakistan executes everyone that says death to America in a protest then call me back and we will work on the free speech removal. I highly recommend the export of poisionous to burn American flags free to all that want to use HATE speech in the name of Islam.
@Mubashir: Quran Chapter 5 verse 33
Time to get serious...
We should announce that the Marine embassy guards will be locked-and-loaded... With orders to shoot the first protester over the wall. (Yes, it is our territory)
And put the Pakistani government on notice that access and security to the embassy will be maintained, or they can pay the consequences of deciding not to honor their obligations under the Vienna Conventions. We can withdraw our embassy, expel theirs, and withdraw recognition of their government...as being unable to maintain law & order within their own territory.
Do you really want war??? These actions are making more and more Americans upset. Almost every American thought the film was insensetive and despicible. More Americans think these actions against us should be an act of war. Keep it up and you will witness the tolerance of the United States fade. We don't want to go to war but we feel these acts are a threat that cannot be ignored. The election is soon and we may change presidents and congress who won't be as kind.
@Parvez Amin: I'm sorry for your offense sir, but by your Muslim country not recognizing Jesus Christ as the only true Son of the ONLY true God is in insult to me. I take offense. But rather than lighting cars on fire, and rioting and hurting others, I will quietly go through my day practicing my belifes and praying that you see the Truth of Jesus Christ. You will never hear me degrade you like you do to Israel and Jews, so if Islam would "practice what you preach", we would all get along. Stop whining.
@Parvez Amin: No it doesn't. Offensive speech is Exactly what the First Amendment is intended to protect. For instance I find Your ingnorant speech offensive, but that does not mean I can keep you from spewing your ignorance all over creation or even punish you after the fact. What you are suggesting, however, would allow me to do just that.
Would you really like ME to be able to sensor YOUR speech? Or are you proposing that You be the final judge of all speech and only My speech be censored.
@Cautious:
The making and uploading of a 14-minute video without the prior knowledge of any U.S. official or the public at large should not be attributed to an entire nation. This is so obvious I shouldn't need to say it.
What would it take to make protesting Muslims understand that their behavior is more insulting to Islam than some third-rate youtube movie?
I see here a basic misunderstanding of "freedom". True freedom is not granted by any country, religion, or organization. It is a God-given right and each individual is answerable to Him for the exercise of those rights. We are free to be as kind and respectful or as rude and crass as we please. As a Christian, I will ultimately answer to God for every word I utter in this life, but it is God's law that I violate if I am unkind, not man's. As a Christian, I am offended every day by things that people say about my Lord and Savior, cursing and using His name in vain, but I acknowledge the fact that God will also hold them accountable and they stand before God the same as I do. Here in America, we are free to be rude, and free to be kind. We are not robots that are programmed to think a certain way. We are free to choose good or evil, and understand there are consequences from those choices.
@Parvez Amin:
Not in the USA. Burning the U.S. flag offends patriotic U.S. citizens, but U.S. judges have consistently ruled that laws outlawing flag-burning are unconstitutional and therefore un-enforceable. Another case in point: one of the most popular shows currently playing on Broadway is a musical that mocks Mormons and the Mormon religion in extremely vulgar ways. No one has torched the theatre or offered a bounty for assassinating the producer.
@Mubashir: Thanks for proving that "intelligent muslim" is not a contradiction in terms.
Finally somebody speaks with common sense. Good job... @Mubashir:
Instead of protesting, burning effigies and wasting your energy I encourage hold some symposiums in the praise of the Holy Prophet Hadhrat Muhammad SAW. This is what usually Ahmadiyya Muslims do. Islam is a peaceful religion and we have to show it practice. Peace upon all.
@Parvez Amin: You do not have a right to not be offended. If you want to criminalize blasphemy, then be careful what you wish for. By denying the divinity of Christ and reducing his status to that of a mere prophet, Islam itself is blasphemy to Christians. Should we start jailing all Muslims for that? Of course not, Any religion that contradicts or denies the beliefs of another religion is blasphemy to one. Of course Islam's solution for this is simple, everyone become a Muslim and this problem goes away.
@M.Ahmer Ali: "Would you like to explain that when a film is made then is passed and permitted by the film censor board to become releasable or unreleasable and who controls the film censor board?"
You obviously don't know much about the film industry or YouTube. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) does not deal with YouTube videos. Also, there is no such thing as a "censor board". This movie was not even released. You are allowing yourself to get riled up without knowing any of the actual facts.
"suppose if any muslim makes any blasphemous movie against Christianity or any other non-muslims’ religion then what shall you do?????"
That happens in this country all the time. People continuously put out anti-religious videos, artwork, books, etc. People speak their minds about it, possibly even protest it, but no one calls for the death of those who made it. What I would personally do is ignore it. It doesn't affect me in the slightest.
"Either shall keep silence and show patience and tolerance or defend and protest in violating ways like the muslims are now-a-days???????"
Like I said, people may actually protest it, but no one calls for the death of those involved, nor do they actually kill people.
I hope Pakistan calls for a ban on the sale of USA goods. I hope Pakistan refuses to allow the US to have an embassy there. I also hope that the USA cuts the $1 Billion+ that are given to you every year. If we can't work together, so be it.
@Shahid: You make it so easy to insult Islam and muslims.
Why is that?
Any person that insults Christianity or The Holy Bible or denies the Virgin Birth or The Crucifixion and Death and Burial and The Resurrection of Yeshua Messiah The Lord Jesus Christ and viciously persecutes any Christian or any person that does not subscribe to their brand of Religious Belief and instead of promoting Religious Tolerance incites hatred, mob violence , senseless killing of innocent victims and mayhem etc insults all Christians and other Religious Groups with the deliberate intention to harm National Unity by publicly attacking Christianity and other Religions by the malicious spreading of False Information.
@Parvez Amin:
Allows trial under US law for what may I ask. There in law broken that I can see. May I suggest you read the US Constitution first, get some sort of an idea how things work here in the US. We don't stifle speech, expression, religion. It is the way it is, your complaining crying about how your feelings are hurt, well too bad for you. Not going to change despite your threats.
im eager to learn what becomes of the consulate. there is no way that any of the ultimatum is going to be satisfied.
so the arab world finds it unacceptable to have free speech on the internet but its ok if they cut peoples heads?
@Parvez Amin:
Freedom of speech does not end because you don't like the content , Many Americans are offended by generalizations and comments from others but we don't call for their death. Is Islam so shallow you must call for violence and death of others that do not share "your" beliefs . We are offended by your actions , treatment of women, murdering of others , your anti Christian actions , suicide murderers , and continual calls for death to others , you ask for tolerance and sympathy of your views but offer none to others why
@Parvez Amin:
So saying "Behead those who insult Islam" is not offensive to us? What about "Kill all the unbelievers"? You offend everyone, and yet you murder people when you are offended. In fact, your religion itself offends me and should be banned.
Pakistan hates Us anyway. they were harboring bin laden. now they want to give us an ultimatum. ha!
I agree whole heartedly! criminalize blasphemy OR have the consulate shut down! Let's shutter the embassy, bring our troops home and cut off all foreign aid...military, monetary and medicinal. We shall follow their rules! We will close the embassy, since Allah forbids us to criminalize free speech. Allah gave us that right and Allah expects us to honor and protect it!
@M.Ahmer Ali: 1. You just don't understand that, in the United States of America, there is no censor board, especially not for posting anything on the internet. We have freedoms here in this country that anyone from a Muslim controlled country would never understand. Also, this may be hard for you to believe, but the US is not a Christian nation, at least not in the same way that say Egypt is a Muslim nation. Sure many Americans would claim to be Christian, but many more would say they are not religious or have no religious preference. 2. Americans are upset and mad about the killing of our citizens, but we think the protests about a very bad movie are just idiotic. Would Christians protest a movie that blatantly ridiculed Christ, probably, but we would not destroy property or kill anyone. If you have paid any attention to recent protests in the US, you would see more protests are happening here against people or businesses that openly support Christianity or Christian idea, ie Chick-fil-a protests.
If you have never been to the US, and lived here for any amount of time, you will never understand our views of freedom.
When are Muslims not offended? Stay in your own country and stop using the internet which was invented by Big Satan. Then you would not be exposed to our freedom.
I've never seen large groups of Americans burning the Quran, other countries flags, or burning down embassies (even after 9/11). This behavior is irrational and ridiculous. If this is what Muslims believe is best to do when offended, I don't know how anyone will ever be able to deal with them in a peaceful and meaningful way.
Also, I'm seeing more and more of this type of rhetoric about how the prophet is more important than the 1st amendment. According to whom? I have no religion, I do not subject myself to self limiting rules of religion, but I also don't impose my beliefs on others. I am my own person and thankfully I'm allowed in this country to live this way. Here is an example of the typical moderate Muslim's attitude towards extremism and tolerance :
"Yes, we understand the First Amendment and all of this stuff," wrote Khalid Amayreh, a prominent Islamist commentator and blogger in Hebron on the West Bank. "But you must also understand that the Prophet (for us) is a million times more sacred than the American Constitution."
Is burning flags not offensive? Is killing others not offensive? Is destroying property not offensive? Is degrading women not offensive?
It seems like these reactions to hurt feelings are quite one-sided
A little Karma there? Burn our flag, and payback is a beach.
@Parvez Amin: So what if it hurts your feelings? Does that give you license to turn to violence?
@Parvez Amin: The words you just used offend, insults and provokes me to anger. You have hurt my American feelings according to the history and Constitution of this of this country. This requires trial and punishment on your behalf by your government and I hope it is severe.
Poor fellow dying from the smoke of an American flag he was burning. So sad. The moral is you should not be burning other people's flags. I am sorry this happened to you.
@Parvez Amin:
My Grandfather, Uncles and Cousins did not fight and sometimes die so that I could have my speech edited by people on the other side of the world. The very fact that you would suggest that you could take someone to court over speech is deeply offensive to me and my God who has given me a divine right to speak my mind.
However, I do not support violent action to prevent your speech. Unless you try to censor me in which case I am all for extreme violence to defend the liberal western tradition from those who would limit my freedom to engage in any non-violent activity.
It was not about some 12 min video. It all started out with the ambassader trying to get surface to air missils and other large weapons back that we gave the rebals to fight Gadafif. They are in the wrong hands now and Obama is worried these will turn into another news event that will trace the guns back to the White House. The video is a crappy cover, even the President of Lybia knows it and said they had 3 days notice but the press won't look past there free white house meals to ask
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/glenn-beck-on-libya-u-s-consulate-attack-youre-being-set-up-america/
@Parvez Amin: Actually Freedom of Speech doesn't end when anyone is offended, that's why it's called Freedom of Speech. When you say you hate America, that's freedom of speech too.
Sir, you don't understand the US Constitution's Bill of Rights for all Americans. The very first one guarantees every American freedom of speech which CANNOT be censored, abridged or controlled by the Federal government. While the video trailer was tasteless and amateurish, the author's right to create and distribute it is a guaranteed freedom of speech in our country and it is not connected by the US government in any way. @us:
@Parvez Amin: Sorry Parvez. You are seriously mistaken. If you would like to study our Constitution and Bill of Rights, I can send you copies. Otherwise, please stop making false assumptions about our first ammendment. Freedom of speech is guaranteed specifically if it offends. That is the whole purpose behind the right. If you never spoke to offend anyone, there would be no need for freedom of speech. I also have freedom of religion under the same first ammendment. This means I am not compelled to believe in Islam and am not bound by its tenents. Therefore, I can say whatever I please about Islam and it is not criminal.
I say close the consulate immediately. Stop all aid to Pakistan and spend all out efforts to improving relations with India. The Pakistanis are not our friends and never have been.
Pakistani lack of understanding what "Freedom of Speech" means is insulting to Freedom. First, the US should close its consolute, no longer give money to the Pakistani government or military, deny access to US military equipment and training.
@Neil: Or killed. You are exactly right.
@Parvez Amin: Your words offends, insults and provokes me. Thus, your freedom of speech has ended. You must stop posting and will be given a trial, and if found guilty, hung.
@Parvez Amin:
No it does not, maybe in Pakistan but not in the US. If you live here and don't like it; leave. If you don't live here and don't like it; oh well. What happens to YOU when something you say offends them? Should they be allowed to persecute you?
We American's will fight to the death by any means possible. Of course, this means that his family is going to carry out a lawsuit against us... and probably win! "Uh, our argument is that the American's should've not put poisonous gasses into their flag. It is incidents like this that gives Lahore a bad name."
@Liberal Fascist: Your question "How is the US government responsible for this video?" is answered in part by the fact our freedoms allow, well, freedom. Freedom to express yourself is an anathema to this part of the world. They reason since the US "tolerates" freedom to allow these fools to make the movie trailer, the US is, thus, responsible for the content. Got it?
1hey -- Pervez - my dear dear misguided friend... there is no law and there will BE NO LAW IN THE US that prevents me from making a film or a statement that offends you.
@Abuser: ...Go ahead - (that is your right as an American), but if we find it distastefull we say "the same to you" and let it be. Every child in America learns the phrase... "Sticks and Stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me". What does your leadership encourage as a response? Kill ?
@Parvez Amin: No, Freedom of speech means exactly that. Freedom to say what ever you want, regardless if it offends or not. I am offended by the way they desecrate my flag, but they have the right to do so in my country. Your right to protest and shake your fist ends at the tip of my nose. By the way, civilized people do not murder any one over a film, cartoon, book or posting. Period.
For the guy that died after inhaling the burning flag... KARMA!
What is less honorable, making a movie trailer that no one has seen which happens to upset your sensibilities.... or burning buildings, killing people, and sodomizing them in defense of a god who, if truly powerful, doesn't need your defending?
It seems obvious that this wasn't about the movie for the chief instigators of this melee, but I can't seem to find logic in this vastly emotional response from the masses...
@Parvez Amin: Insults to Christians happen all the time,.
@Parvez Amin: You obviously don't have a clue as to what freedom is or is not.
@Parvez Amin: There are alot of shows, videos, etc. that offend many, no reason to be banned. I see many cartoons, TV shows that insult Catholics, I don't riot and kill. My religion teaches me to ignore these types of insults, why can't others?
@Liberal Fascist: This movie had zero to do with the riots and murders, the Libyan president even said it was well planned in advance. No doubt, since osama got whacked, they said they would take revenge and I have no doubt it was all planned in advance to coincide with 9/11, the movie is just a coincidence and a scapegoat. For the guy who died inhaling the fumes from the burning flag, blame china, that's where the flag was probably made, they use all sorts of toxic garbage in their products.
Your comments offend me therefore you do not have the right to say them...I demand an apology and restitution.
The man died from inhaling smoke from US Flag burning.....LOL
It was made in China with questionable material.
Maybe we should make the flags blow up when burned! That would be a hoot!
So we pack our stuff, cut off the bank accounts, recall ALL of our people and stick a match to the consulate and give them the bird.
@Parvez Amin: What? The purpose of our human right to freedom of speech is to allow the very unpopular, insulting, offensive and provokative speech and expression. If everything everyone said was non offending, non-insulting and non-provocative it wouldn't be freedom it would be hive thinking. "Freedom of speech ends where the words and actions offend, insult and provoke others" Well, I'm insulted and offended by what you posted.
The screaming, crying and violence and murder puts Islam in a far more insulting light than any movie or cartoon ever could.
Sweet. Every great once in a while, the gene pool gets some sorely needed chlorine!
We are not losers in this matter, we have lost little but if blasphemy law passes then it will be a win win @AnisAqeel:
we obviously need to send them more of those flags....
Everyone knows it's not about the video unless of course you get your news from the MSM. Who do these people think they are. Bring home our citizens and stop giving them our taxpayer money. That will shut them up.
@Parvez Amin: "Freedom of speech ends where the words and actions offend, insult and provoke others others."
Your post offends and provokes me. Therefore, you should be put in jail for it.
That's what you want, right?
@Parvez Amin:
Violence, murder, destruction...pretty offensive behavior. Much more offensive than making a movie.
I did not know about this movie. I found out about it from other Muslims and then I watched it.
I have an idea...
Why doesn't the Islamic world, with their all encompassing religion/government system, go ahead and make US Flag burning illegal?
I believe a vast number of Americans are deeply disturbed and offended by the disrespect shown our precious flag. I think that if Islam thinks it's ok to kill people for a stupid film, and then ask that the US change it's most cherished beliefs around freedom of speech, maybe they could show a little respect first and stop killing people and burning our flag.
Do you have any idea how insane you all are? Well, I guess I can answer that... No. Never will I suppose.
@Parvez Amin: Under US laws, no law was broken. I strongly disagree with the misguided opinion that freedom of speech ends when someone is insulted. Freedom of speech is meaningless unless it protects speech that someone else finds offensive.
It ok for them but not others?
There is very easy solution, ban internet to Islam countries.
@Parvez Amin: No. Freedom of Speech needs to go beyond the sensibilities of a person or group. If the simple criterion of being offensive was all that was needed to make a statement or form of artistic expression worthy of punishment then there would be no expression or discourse whatsoever, because everyone finds something offensive. I find it offensive when those of the Abrahamic religions claim that a woman is to remain subservient to a man, or that I am a wretched and corrupt person for not adhering to certain divinely mandated rules. I find it offensive when a politician spruces lies and easily refutable falsehoods in order to get a leg up in a campaign. I find it offensive when some one in a bar begins to talk a little to enthusiastically about how we shouldn’t be letting people of a particular race or cultural background emigrate to my home county because they make them feel ‘uncomfortable’. Despite being insulted by these things I would never in my life consider calling on a government or mob to punish people espousing such hurtful and erroneous things. I would just remove myself from the vicinity of the person proclaiming the things I didn’t agree with or appreciate. You and I both have the right to be offended, but this does not trump anyone’s freedom of speech.
@Are You Serious?:
Amen Brother!
@Parvez Amin:
Freedom of speech ends where the words and actions offend, insult and provoke others others?
Fine. Your ignorant comment offends me, it provokes me and it insults me. Therefore, by your own reasoning you must be tried and punished. Not just tried, but tried and punished. "Tried AND punished". That phrase of yours exhibits your enormous ignorance and childish lack of understanding. If you are assuming and guaranteeing guilt, there is no need for a trial, and if one is held it will be a sham. This is a swine's idea of justice "I don't like it, therefore it must by outlawed and destroyed. No trial, no discussion, I'm not enough of a man to let someone speak his mind without calling for retribution."
Try this one on for size. Does the speech itself literally harm you or your concrete interests, not just your childish sentimentalities? Offending is not harming or injuring, nor is insulting. Provocation is judged based on reasonable reactions of rational actors, not on reactions of a pack of backward, zealot, blasphemous savages. The latter are the only ones who get incensed to the point of violence by words or movies or cartoons.
Parvez, go idolize your Moon god.
When the video is forgotten, they will blame a picture for the next riot, or a song. And there are plenty of people in the world who are happy to send some. If what I say makes violent people like these hurt themselves and others, becoming easier to identify as the underclass filth of the world, I'll only say it louder. As for the innocent people in the cross-fire, most of them are going to be muslims, killed by muslims. It's all very sad. But it's the reason people post videos like that on the internet. Instead of criminalising blasphemy, why not criminalise violent behavior? Why not go to work, care for your children, get yourself educated, etc instead of running around burning flags and throwing things?
@Parvez Amin: I made a few typographical errors. it's "they are" instead of "they're are" And "slight" instead of "sleight" To avoid any confusion.
More insecticide- and asbestos-soaked flags please!!
@Parvez Amin:
Yes, exactly so. The people who made this film should be tried under US laws.
In the US there is a law allowing free speech.
Therefore the film-makers are guilty of no crime under US law.
So you've already got what you wanted!
@Shahid: Oh yes, it's clearly America that has issues with human rights.
Don't you have some women to stone to death for showing their hair in public?
@Liberal Fascist: 1-"How is the US government responsible for this video?. Anyone can post on youtube." Would you like to explain that when a film is made then is passed and permitted by the film censor board to become releasable or unreleasable and who controls the film censor board? 2-"You have a free and informed choice of whether to watch or not watch an internet video. In addition the US government has to follow the first amendment to the constitution and cannot visibly chose muslim feelings over that." First of all any muslim of the world shall not any blasphemous movie against any non-muslims' religion of the world because Islam teaches us honor and respect the other non-muslims' religions of the world and would you like to explain that suppose if any muslim makes any blasphemous movie against Christianity or any other non-muslims' religion then what shall you do?????Either shall keep silence and show patience and tolerance or defend and protest in violating ways like the muslims are now-a-days???????
Pleaseeeee...not before they issue me a VISA! Pleaseee....
Burning effigy!. I wonder who started this. Probably some phychiatrist.
now it is not the allahs way but the mullahs way.
"He said no one had DARED commit blasphemy during his father Ziaul Haq’s rule."
Very true.
Compliance by force.
I have not watched the film, however one can easily assess that it contains blasphemous material which is highly outrageous to the feelins of Muslims all over the world. It would have been more effective if the protests and rallies were peaceful and in accordance with teachings of Islam. The protests and rallies in Pakistan, as usual, have resulted in loss of life and destruction of property. The American Authorities take refuge behind the constitutional provision about freedom of speech; but no right is obsolute, it always is subject to reasonable restrictions. 1st amendment in the american constitution which grants right to freedom of speech is reproduced below: " Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press: or the rights of the people peaceably to assemble, and petition to the government for a redress of grievances". This freedom of speech does not give right to infring the rights of others. An excerpt from object of this amendment, "To be fair to all, there could be preference to non. It would have been disgraceful for any one to wish to leave the United State because of religious persecution. So the authors of the contitution decided it best to keep the government out of religion." We must start thinking on these lines. It is painful reality that the people from Pakkistan are leaving the country due to persecution. Constitutional and legal measures may be difficult and cumbersome, consistant and sincere efforts in this behalf can yield better results.
What does this film have to do with America? It was the job of a deranged individual who thought he could make a not-so-funny movie denigrating a religion. Americans routinely make movies about gay catholic priests all the time. The issue is not about religion at all. These protesters need jobs more than anything else.
@Parvez Amin: No, they do not. Freedom of speach ends when it impedes or infringes on the rights of others. Making a video in no way infringes on your or anyone elses rights. You DO NOT have the right to not be offended. Sorry.
I understand that a lot of people have sensitive feelings and they feel hurt. But many of us also get hurt when Islamists behead innocent muslims, rape boys in madrassas, or throw acid on woman faces...How long I have to wait these " hurt" people to protest against that?
Freedom is the right to live your life the way you want without harming another person.
Mullahs present an existential threat to Pakistan.
@sabi: This is actual Islamic law not originate from any madrasah .
Physically harmless movie from a condemnable, insensitive producer/director causes this furore. However, the killings of shias and other minorities from other muslims is NOT a blasphemous act. Nobody dares burn effigies of those extremists and their instigators.
What an irony!
These protesters obviously do not understand the concepts of "individual sovereignty" and "freedom of speech" in the United States. They don't, or they would never have made such a ridiculous ultimatum. The government doesn't criminalize speech because criminalizing speech removes liberty from the individual. Inflammatory speech in particular is not criminalized because that's usually where conflicts arise regarding speech, and the American system of government is based on rational conflict.
We're not a theocracy, guys. Religion in the United States is a private affair. While there are matters of taste most of us as a society self-regulate, the government gives us a free hand--which is far superior to listening to some mullah tell us what is right and what is wrong.
@Supa:
I hate to inform you, but Hollywood is a business and it supports itself quite well. I might add that it is mostly corporate owned. I also venture that many of your "Imans" and "leaders" have stock in these companies and get quarterly dividends. So let's talk straight.. In the US and most of the world people can say what they want and if you don't like it.. well don't listen or speak back. The rest of the world watches a bunch of zealots burn and kill people over a you tube video and scratch their collective heads. What is even more amazing is that these zealots think if they keep doing it everyone will understand them better. I hate to tell you, but no one thinks they are right and no one will change their minds. There will always be people who will make vile videos... ignoring them is the best practice as they will generally stop doing it. Unfortunately its almost a guarantee that some nut in the middle east will be prodded to by some cleric to burn a few more houses or kill a few more innocents. Bill Maher has his point of view and if he has the money to make the film.. so be it... don't go and see it!
America is a shamelessly arrogant power. They have selective human rights and a flawed idea of one sided freedom of expression. West in general and America in particular is complacent about sponsered, well projected insult directed towards Islam and the muslims.we as Muslims must stand up to the challenge and act cool headedly. The arrogant power is already on the path of decline.
@Karim Azizi: I want to use some filthy bd words for you, or may be your family,,you shouldn't mind,,after all its my freedom of expression,,isn't it?
We Americans need to pull out of the rest of the world's issues. We're not everyone's big brother nor do we need to save everyone from themselves. We spend too many resources and too much energy on others while our own house falls apart. We need to pull all our troops ect home and fix our own yard instead of worrying about what other countries are doing to themselves. Let them solve their own problems and we take care of ours.
@Parvez Amin: Seriously bro, have you seen the quality of the video/movie? It's a freaking pathetic. You do KNOW the actors were tricked about the movie? In the script, they never mentioned the Prophet Muhammad. Their voices were "dubbed" over, meaning, after the movie was complete, someone recorded over their voices. The US Government CANNOT do anything to this person, it's covered under the Constitution. Yes I agree this person who did this is a piece of crap, but they cannot go to jail for this. The majority of us in America are embarrassed by these people that do this and offend you, but we must follow the rule of law and follow the Constitution.
@Liberal Fascist: Although I agree with you but I fail to understand that why then do we have laws against racial profiling or sexual harassment. The principle involved is similar is it not?
@Parvez Amin: It offends me that Muslims think they have the right not to be offended.
Well, it would be nice if the US replied with a "criminalize persecution of minorities and no civil/ military aid". That should put things into perspective for these protesters, if they can think on those lines.
The Organisation of Islamic Countries Conference should announce a boycott of US goods. Leave alone other Islamic countries, half of Pakistanis will become beggars if our exports to US are banned.
@Parvez Amin:
Good to know you will not be coming to the US to live. Hope this is true for all your family. Now if the Americans could only get more of the PAKs who are already there to return to the land of the pure I believe they would feel more secure.
@Parvez Amin: And what is next? You will continue threats unless we make women dress modestly? Prevent women from voting? DISGUSTING!!
Obama and other Democrats in his party have been supporting Hollywood for years which loves to blaspheme religions and their prophets. They do it constantly making terrible movies that mock Jesus, mock Islam. One of the more recent movies is called Irreligious, by comedian Bill Maher who gave 1 Million dollars to Obama's campaign. Bill Maher is Obama's anti-Islamic film maker. In the movie Islam is mocked relentlessly along with other faiths.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYW2xXxFVtU
This is what happens when people don't UNDERSTAND the Quran instead of only reciting it. Allah tells us that the punishment of the Hereafter will be worse, than the punishment of this world. Why don't we exhibit patience? Think long term!! The people who blaspheme will for sure face a punishment by Allah Himself. As someone said here, this world is a test for all of us to see if we maintain patience.
IMO things will get vastly better for this whole country if the Muslims, at the very least, hold fast to the Salah. Whether we choose to believe it or not, there is no success without Salah. And as for those who point to the USA's 'success', should think about what Allah defines as successful people. This world is paradise for the non-believer and a prison for the believer.
Dear Muslims,
There's only a limit to which you can ignore what Allah has to say through His Book. You can close your eyes, turn your face away as much as you want, but realise that success isn't limited to this world, there WILL be a Judgement Day, one WILL have to answer for their deeds. Justify whatever however you will to your fellow beings, just think about justifications that you'll have to present before Him.
The government must use diplomatic means and gather support from its allies which well than take the matter to UN.
Free speech has almost no limitations and since their speech is anti-free speech, which is against the basis of my beliefs, I find their speech offensive. Yet I am not going to run into the streets and kill people or demand any one shut up.
There was an article not very long ago who's focus was on the defamation of other religions taught in your classrooms -- maybe these anti American zealots should take the time to read one of your school textbooks sometime.
@Parvez Amin:
That's the dumbest thing I've read so far today. Your words offend me.
How about no more US visas for your kids who want to study there? Why just US, UK and EU, too?
The producer of this movie will be more than happy that he got more attention than he ever imagined. A porn film maker got a tool to provoke people & make national loss by damaging public property
@Parvez Amin: You are wrong. My freedom of speech is bigger than what your feelings are. Grow some patience in you sinstead of being so sensi tive. It's just a movie.
Sorry, that's not how freedom of speech works. People in a free society have the right to voice opinions, even if they are intended to insult. I don't like the video but banning it is wrong.
People who made that film do not represent US government like whatever crime Talibans commit do not represent Pakistani government or even majority of Pakistan for that matter.
So when Hafeez Saeed gives hate speeches against India or plan terrorist activities against neighboring countries then Pakistani establishment is content terming him as a "non state" actor. So by same logic the demands of a non-state actor need not be considered seriously much less a formal one from Pakistani government.
@Parvez Amin: I'm sorry someone said something that upset you. Maybe you and the rest of the Muslim world can grow up and not get mad everytime someone pokes fun at your ludicrous religion. Freedom of speech is just that: I can say whatever I want, and you can deal with it. My words are not going to cause you bodily harm. Grow up. No one should be punished for hurting someone else's feelings.
The video should be immediately removed as it is highly offensive and provocative to 1.2 billion of the globe. It does not help develop good understanding, rather increases bitterness between people of different faith.
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.
these people should either be behind the bars or in a mental hospital, but in Pakistan they are the guests of know it all anchors of pakistani media
What does the Qur’an say about dealing with those who insult the blessed Rasool? Patience with dignity. Nowhere Allah says go and destroy properties and lives of those who insult the Messenger.
Muslims are told to hold fast to their pledges and treaties they sign. They are obligated to provide security to various Embassies. After 911, how many Embassies of Muslim countries were attacked in Europe or US?
This video was produced by a perverted individual who has the remote control in his hand. All he has to do is to press a button and the Muslims start jumping up and down. Don’t give your power away!! Use this opportunity to educate others about real Islam. Islam does not allow anybody to punish Paul for the crime of Peter.
This world is a world of test for the Muslim to see if under pressure do they respond their way or Allah’s Way?
Criminalize blasphemy? Calling the US out on being a civilzed nation? Oh the irony of it all. Funny thing is people of all religions co exist peacefully in the US while we are responsible for persecuting minorities and people of other faith. What kind of madressah's do these people attend? Instead of burning US flags, damaging our own property and killing our own people how about we use forums to spread the message and teachings of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
Join us in our Dark Age or we will burn down your consulate. No Thanks.
This video is a mistake. No question on it. But the way the protectionism of Islam religion by Islamists are disturbing non-Islamists. First we all are human. Religion, race, country etc, are second. But muslims putting their religion front than anything. It is not good for the peace in the world. I believe these kind videos liquidate/consolidate the fanaticism of the people who follows the religion blindly and wildly. Everything in this earth is subject to comment. That is nature. So don't try to break the nature. Btw I am not serious follower of any religion. Religion should help people , no the other way around.
Freedom of speech ends where the words and actions offend, insult and provoke others others. The action of making a film clearly designed to hurt the feelings of muslims is wrong and requires trial and punishment. The US diplomats may be allowed to do their work in Pakistan if thier government assures trial under US laws.
How is the US government responsible for this video?. Anyone can post on youtube. The government cannot take responsibility for the non violent behavior of millions of people. It is ignorant to say that blasphemous content should be monitored on youtube. Last time I checked, the broadcast is not on television. You have a free and informed choice of whether to watch or not watch an internet video. In addition the US government has to follow the first amendment to the constitution and cannot visibly chose muslim feelings over that. That video might be offensive, but I do not know that, because I have not seen it!. I was smart enough not to. I hope other people make the same smart decision instead of going to the streets and calling for jihad
In the picture above shows participants mostly from madrsas.A main source of street power for religious parties and mullahs.
In other words my way or the highway. Change your constitution because a scum has made a movie that is very derogatory and I am deeply offended. That scum got what he wanted and we have lost and continuously loosing what my merciful, graceful, tolerant and most highly respected (PBUH) wanted. Aren't we losers all the way.