We have seen a hurtful portrayal of Islam’s Holy Prophet (pbuh), most likely disseminated with the intention of provoking. And on the other side, we have seen enraged crowds gathering outside Western embassies, crowds that have not shrunk from violence or murder. We have been forced to witness what religiously motivated extremism and fanaticism is capable of.
What these images create is a distorted impression of reality. In the Western world, as in the Islamic states of North Africa, the Middle East and Asia, it is only a minority that adopts the language of confrontation and provocation that seeks to sow hatred and incite blind violence. The reality is not what these images suggest. The vast majority of people on both sides want democracy and genuine opportunities in life — just as we do. These people, like us, are filled with revulsion by a video that vilifies people of a different faith and offends them with its appalling prejudices. Like us, they object to the hateful wave of violence it has triggered.
We are responding in concert, sending a joint message of understanding and tolerance. We speak on behalf of the overwhelming majority. We are most decidedly opposed to the extremists in our countries whose sole goal is to drive a deep wedge between our societies rooted in their Islamic and Christian traditions.
We can understand the outrage felt by many Muslims around the world. We can understand the many people who have protested peacefully against the vilification of their religion. But we also agree that there is no justification for the outbreaks of violence we have seen over the past few days. Violence is not the right response to actions which are themselves iniquitous.
We must use our freedom responsibly. Freedom of opinion is one of the greatest goods in any democracy. And precisely because it is so important, it must not be hijacked to spread hatred and fanaticism and undermine the conditions of our peaceful coexistence.
The Arab Spring swept away authoritarian regimes in Tunisia and several other Arab states. There is now a chance, one that may never come again, to build a new democratic and pluralistic society on the ruins of the old autocratic system but only if that aim is pursued in earnest. And that is why the new freedom, which was so hard won, must not be misused or considered an invitation to attack people who hold different beliefs or to shake the very foundations of public order.
The revolution began in Tunisia and it was from Tunis that it spread like wildfire to other Arab countries. The radical changes set in motion by the Jasmine Revolution are well under way. That success presents us with a historic opportunity to transform and improve relations between the civilisations on both sides of the Mediterranean, building on tolerance and mutual respect.
We stand together before major challenges and tasks. These include finding a peaceful solution to the conflicts in the Middle East, above all, the terrible crisis in Syria. They also include creating real opportunities for people to live in dignity and safety. And they include, continuing the ongoing work on creating a culture of tolerance, dialogue and respect, both for others within our own societies and among our peoples.
We must not permit radical forces to squander the opportunities inherent in our cooperation and our desire to live together peacefully as nations and peoples in partnership with one another.
We all long for a world built on tolerance, integration and mutual respect, far removed from any kind of hatred, violence and fanaticism.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 4th, 2012.
COMMENTS (14)
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How can you condemn the outburst of Muslims over this offensive video and preach democracy at the same time. If anyone thinks that the video is freedom of expression , then outburst including violence is also a freedom of expression by muslims...they are expressing their anger.
How easily this German minister writes an article and does not do anything practically ? why is the UN not getting involved despite request from Muslim states to protect ALL religions ? This is indeed moving towards clash of civilizations. Just a btw question What will be reaction of a Hindu if someone makes an offensive movie about Raam ? What will be the reaction of a christian if someone even abuses the sitting pope in Vatican ? It will be very same as the reaction of Muslims ....so dont just blame the effect ...try to address the "cause"
@baloch:
.... the offense made by the man to disrespect prophet Muhammad PBUH could not come under freedom of speech by any mean. We should differentiate freedom of speech from fanaticism ...
The movie was made by an Egyptian Copt. PROBABLY he made the movie to register a protest about what was happening to the Copts in Egypt at the hands of fundamentalist Muslims. So, please take a larger view of things - the fact is that Muslims do bad things to non-Muslims too; you can not look at your anguish in isolation.
" ... it is a act not only to disrespect the more important religious figure of Muslims but to create rift among the different religions specially Islam and other religions. ... "
To be really honest, Islam and other-religions never shared too much of a proximity. If there is any rift with Muslims, it is at a societal level and I am afraid, Muslims themselves are to blame. Who other than Muslims have gone around with placards saying "Behead those who insult Islam".
" ... even if people from west think that freedom of speech gives them right to bring such issue under discussion despite of all u should not play with the emotion of other in this way ... "
Why do you get played so easily ? There are anecdotes about your Prophet ignoring insults.
" ... i think u should emphasis more intellectual and academic criticism of something that is being practiced by Muslims. We the secular Muslims would support you but could not allow to disrespect any religious figure that includes all the prophets, books come from heaven for mankind etc. ... "
Not all philosophies/religions are based on "books from the heavens". As a Hindu I consider my "texts" to be a compilation of thousands of years of earthly wisdom and spiritual reasoning. Does it mean I wont get your respect ?
One man's religion is another mans superstition -- a concept that apparently is alien to Muslims. It's a big World and over 3/4's of that World are not Muslims and they don't think you have any right to limit what they say, think, read or watch on the Internet.
@Kaalchakra how can any criticism of the Prophet and of Islam made by unbelievers be objective and genuine and true at the same time, Can you kindly elaborate?
Why not? can you kindly elaborate
the offense made by the man to disrespect prophet Muhammad PBUH could not come under freedom of speech by any mean. We should differentiate freedom of speech from fanaticism. it is a act not only to disrespect the more important religious figure of Muslims but to create rift among the different religions specially Islam and other religions. even if people from west think that freedom of speech gives them right to bring such issue under discussion despite of all u should not play with the emotion of other in this way. i think u should emphasis more intellectual and academic criticism of something that is being practiced by Muslims. we the secular Muslims would support you but could not allow to disrespect any religious figure that includes all the prophets, books come from heaven for mankind etc.
Pretty funny, a German leader talking about religious tolerance!
@ Molvi Iqbal Haider
eye opener to everybody, including the two authors here.
Molvi Haider, how can any criticism of the Prophet and of Islam made by unbelievers be objective and genuine and true at the same time? Can you kindly elaborate? Thanks.
Even genuine, objective and academic criticism of the prophet of Islams life is intolerable for most Muslims. Herein lies the fundamental distinction between the progressive and truly democratic west and the Islamic world. Until Muslims begin to understand that nothing is truly perfect and hence nothing is above criticism or debate, we will continue to see such violent outbursts against offensive opinions. Whilst I condemn the offensive video against the prophet for being in poor taste, equally there is a long evolutionary and philosophical chasm the Islamic world must traverse to understand the west and avoid this clash of values in future.