While they have been embraced by all, events over the past weeks have demonstrated the importance and urgency of ensuring that these amazing devices are not used to hurt fellow humans and humiliate their beliefs and sensitivities, irrespective of differences in colour or creed. For Pakistan, which has suffered from long spells of authoritarian rule, as well as from the menace of extremism and terrorism, the struggle for democracy and the rule of law have been long and bitter. The freedom of expression is, therefore, dear to us. We can also appreciate the importance attached to it in the West. At the same time, we cannot acquiesce in attempts to use this freedom to demean other humans, especially when it incites violence or creates hatred.
Muslims are not unaware that the US law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, ethnic or national origin. Many European states have laws against anti-Semitism and denial of Holocaust, while in some areas in the US, cross-burning is banned. Moreover, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) mandates that “any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited by law”. And yet, denigrating the belief of Muslims is defended as free speech!
Muslims are, therefore, justified in demanding that the right to free speech should not be allowed to become a licence to demonise Islam. Instead, the West should strive to take measures to prevent misguided individuals, under the garb of free speech, from engaging in actions that are as reprehensible as of those who advocate violence openly and overtly. Both are terrorists and should be subject to the same accountability. Conspiracies that create hatred among cultures and religions and incite some to violence are not only detrimental to peace and stability; they could be sowing the seeds of a clash of civilisations.
In such a situation, the remedy lies not in establishment of blocks on the basis of ‘us’ and ‘them’, creating barriers and impediments to cooperation and understanding. People need to be brought together, not set part. Our faith must facilitate understanding and appreciation of others, bringing humanity closer, not creating mistrust and suspicions among nations.
Similarly, those who are unable to contain their anger and outrage and instead take recourse to acts of violence cannot claim to speak in the name of Islam — a religion of peace and brotherhood, as repeatedly stressed by the Holy Prophet (pbuh). Islam’s holy book, the Quran, declares unequivocally that “there is no compulsion in religion”, while condemning the killing of even one individual as representing the murder of humanity.
Sadly, extremism and terrorism are not peculiar to any one religion; most major faiths have been inflicted by this ailment, at some stage or the other. In the case of Islam, the long years of colonial domination followed by decades of authoritarian rule, where basic human rights were denied to citizens, have contributed to deep misgivings about the West, while giving rise to alienation and anger in them about the conduct and performance of their own governments.
But whatever their historical grievance or current complaint, there is no justification for the kind of behaviour witnessed in Pakistan on September 21. Both the manner in which the government abandoned its responsibilities and political parties and civil society failed to provide guidance or direction to the unruly crowds, created a spectacle that was shameful and humiliating, providing further ammunition to those who wish to vilify us. Instead of a measured response to premeditated provocation, our actions left our friends disgusted and our detractors delighted.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 26th, 2012.
COMMENTS (24)
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@K B Kale: Thank you for your kind words.
" “any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited by law”. And yet, denigrating the belief of Muslims is defended as free speech! Muslims are, therefore, justified in demanding that the right to free speech should not be allowed to become a licence to demonise Islam. "
I missed something here. If I whipped up a crowd and told them to attack Muslims that would violate the law against incitement. If I explained to my kids why Islam is bad and a thousand miles away Muslim go and riot then they are responsible for their own actions; it wasn't I that incited a crowd to act.
Both the article by the author & Ms. GP65's embellishing supplements are worthy of praise! Well done, both!
we cannot acquiesce in attempts to use this freedom to demean other humans, especially when it incites violence or creates hatred.Put a mirror before Pakistan society and see what you see. Every state makes law for herself.Therefore Mr Fatami who is seasoned diplomat shouldnot have cited Holocaust example.I have heared this ad nauseam on talk shows.You want to deny it in Pakistan,go, do it whole heartedly as talk show people have been doing.I don't think hardly any european will go and kill any other european for that. There is excessive tendency of quoting religious scripture in support of particular argument.Take it from me.Never do that as All religious scriptures including Qur'an,Hadiths and Sunna have some many different,contradictory passages that you can't make a sensible judgement.The religion should be a matter of personal faith and should never be brought into secular temporal affairs of state.
@gp65:
Many thanks, Madam.
Admire the depth of your knowledge, and agree with your remark."the giant echo chamber that Pakistan has become". One can do little more than feel sorry for this nation on the slippery downward slope.
I have read somewhere that Pakistanis are highest porn surfers on the net, we Indians are also not far behind though.. :). But i believe any kind of depiction of Porn is one of the greatest sins as per Islam, but have you ever heard about Muslims getting offended by it and coming out in Protest? at least in pakistan?.. The land of the Pure....
@author: " ... Our faith must facilitate understanding and appreciation of others, bringing humanity closer, not creating mistrust and suspicions among nations. ... "
You are trying to achieve the impossible.
@wonderer: "Can the writer, or any other person, kindly point out anything in this article which is not known to the whole world already?" Well along with Ayesha Ijaz Khan he has sought to misrepresent the case of State of Virginia vs Black wherein cross-burning in the State of Virginia was prohibited. They are trying to imply that this was an example of how freedom of speech was curbed to protect Christian sentiments. When you read the case though it has nothing to do with protecting Christian sentiments. Apparently KKK would burn a cross outside the home of the person that they intended to kill. Thus burning a cross was ruled as an act of violent intimidation in a state with such a history and clssified as hate speech not attracting protections of First Amendment.
You should expect that just as the lies about holocaust denial are echoed endlessly, this case too will be echoed endlessly in the giant echo chamber that Pakistan has become
Author doesn't know how 'discrimination' is defined in US. Making a video does not count as discrimination
The Ambassador has written a very perceptive piece that treats a highly sensitive issue with great clarity and moderation.
Can the writer, or any other person, kindly point out anything in this article which is not known to the whole world already?
"Our faith must facilitate understanding and appreciation of others, bringing humanity closer, not creating mistrust and suspicions among nations."
BEfore you launch this project on a global scale, suggest you do a pilot locally within Pakistan. Help the Sunnis develop some respect and tolerance for Shias, Ahamdis, Hindus, Christians, Sikhs and atheists within Pakistan and address years of suspicion and mistrust developed through target killing, forced conversions, attack on worship places, desecration of graves and false blasphemy cases.
The author has not only cherry picked from his scripture but also quoted only part of a verse. Please read the entire verse about "killing one human" starting with the first word.
Sir, I have always been an advocate of free speech and will continue to back it. On the Net I have seen content that rubbishes the teachings of every Religion sometimes in bad faith and sometimes perversely too. Porn content is also widespread. If somebody does not like it they have to lump it. Muslims cannot ask for any special rights in their belief that the Prophet has to be protected. The world finds it very silly that the Almighty has to be protected when HE is the one guiding and protecting us. Have you ever seen such violent reactions by any non Muslims against Media provocations ? State legislation and Blasphemy Laws has resulted in the legal and illegal killing of countless minorities already. Such duplicity is useless and non productive.
Are you sure these things have nothing to do with the teachings of Quran?
"Sadly, extremism and terrorism are not peculiar to any one religion" ----- Really???
The author is half right. Yes Muslim's shouldn't go on a rampage when think they have been slighted - but Muslim's don't have any right to tell the rest of the World what to read, write, say or watch - even if that content might offend Muslims. End of story.
Please remember the right to feel offended is not exclusively reserved for the Muslims only. For majority of Hindus, cow slaughter is against their religion and a provocative action. One can find thousands of youtube clips of Bakr-Eid showing open-air (on roads and streets) slaughter of cows by Muslims in Pakistan and else where. How many times you have noticed Hindus going on rampage in India or Pakistan for such "Provocative and premeditated" actions against Hinduism? Are Christians allowed to slaughter, sell/buy and eating Pigs (if there are any in Pakistan) in the open in Pakistan?
Pakistan has allowed too much influence of Islam in public and private affairs while dissent, non-Muslims and free thinkers are silenced or made to run away. Modern technology is turning a once giant world into a single neighborhood, and Muslims are not ready for it. Grow some skin of patience and learn to live with the rest 80% in peace and harmony.
Swallow your false pride; there are no calories in it.
"No compulsion in religion" Please tell that to Mian Mithu and also Rinkle Kumari.
Muslims have every right to demand. But Non Muslims do not have the right to ask the same rights of equality, tolerance and opportunity in any Islamic country. Because?
Provocation or inability to comprehend and defend the indefensible by arguments in a civilized way?
There is no compulsion in religion of Islam? Really? Does Islam allows conversion from Islam to any other religion? If not, then how can you claim there is no compulsion? Few trees do not make forest. Preach what you practice in the name of Islam.
The principle of reciprocity is the trickiest question that Muslims encounter, but instead of answering it honestly, they just try to beat about the bush.
Why does the writer imagine that such events take place? Could it be that the West is jealous of Islamic nations which are built on noble principles such as there is no compulsion in religion”, or the killing of even one individual as representing the murder of humanity.? Is there any evidence from your actions either as individuals or as a nation that support this statement? Cherry picking convenient sentences from the holy Quran or declaring unilaterally that any perpetrator of violence is not a muslim is disengenous (and now predictable); those who have gone around burning property and killing people are also doing so in the name of the same religion, and draw inspiration from the same said holy book and supporting documentation.
What about those issues you raise for Pakistani minorities?
And what is Pakistan (and other Muslim countries) going to do about hate speech vented from mullahs, TV shows, school text books, news papers, and assorted politicians against Shia/Sunni sects, Ahmadis, Hindus, Jews, Christians, and any other minority groups THE MAJORITY LABELS AS KAFIRS???