Yasir Qadhi
Dr.Yasir Qadhi
In the modern world, nationalism and secularism are indeed the new religions of our times, and their ideals and symbols are considered taboo and sacrosanct. Therefore, one cannot mock those symbols, and 'freedom of speech' simply does not exist for those topics.
Of course, secular nationalism allows actual religiosity to be mocked, and even God and His Prophets are considered legitimate targets, all under the guise of 'freedom of speech'. Yet, just try criticizing the symbols of a nation, or its sacred secular values, or its soldiers, or its citizens who are respected and see how much of a pass 'freedom of speech' will get you.
Here in America, it is simply taboo to criticize or mock the victims of 9/11, or the bravery and dedication of the troops, amongst other topics. In other lands, all peoples have values and individuals who are viewed as being beyond criticism - or, to put it in religious terms, as being sacred. The problem comes when those people who justify insulting religious symbols fail to see their own hypocrisy when they criticize those who mock their secular symbols.
The latest issue of Charlie Hebdo mocks the victims of the Russian plane crash, in extremely vulgar and disgusting cartoons. Obviously, the Russian people and its government responded as any sane, rational human being would: 'Have you no shame?!' And we do not see any mainstream media outlet republishing those cartoons. Nor have world leaders criticized the Russians for their legitimate anger at the publication of such cartoons.
In fact, even Charlie Hebdo has its own taboos! We are still waiting for that magazine to make fun of their own cartoonists who were massacred by terrorists. Do they truly believe in the ultimate freedom to defame all? Then let them draw those deceased colleagues of theirs in the same vulgar manners, naked and in sexually disgusting positions, and poking the same ribald vicious callous humor at their dead memories! But if they do not do so, and they shall never do so, then let them realize the sheer hypocrisy of their claims.
The point is that there is NO ultimate freedom of speech, anywhere in the world, and each and every society has legal prohibitions, and societal barriers, towards certain types of speech. And overall, that is a GOOD thing, and we as Muslims understand that. Our contention is that that same respect, if not more, deserves to be given to all sacred symbols as well.
Russians outraged after Charlie Hebdo cartoons ‘ridicule’ Sinai plane crash — RT News
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@Akheilos @Zarvan @Malik Abdullah @JUBA @monitor
Dr.Yasir Qadhi
In the modern world, nationalism and secularism are indeed the new religions of our times, and their ideals and symbols are considered taboo and sacrosanct. Therefore, one cannot mock those symbols, and 'freedom of speech' simply does not exist for those topics.
Of course, secular nationalism allows actual religiosity to be mocked, and even God and His Prophets are considered legitimate targets, all under the guise of 'freedom of speech'. Yet, just try criticizing the symbols of a nation, or its sacred secular values, or its soldiers, or its citizens who are respected and see how much of a pass 'freedom of speech' will get you.
Here in America, it is simply taboo to criticize or mock the victims of 9/11, or the bravery and dedication of the troops, amongst other topics. In other lands, all peoples have values and individuals who are viewed as being beyond criticism - or, to put it in religious terms, as being sacred. The problem comes when those people who justify insulting religious symbols fail to see their own hypocrisy when they criticize those who mock their secular symbols.
The latest issue of Charlie Hebdo mocks the victims of the Russian plane crash, in extremely vulgar and disgusting cartoons. Obviously, the Russian people and its government responded as any sane, rational human being would: 'Have you no shame?!' And we do not see any mainstream media outlet republishing those cartoons. Nor have world leaders criticized the Russians for their legitimate anger at the publication of such cartoons.
In fact, even Charlie Hebdo has its own taboos! We are still waiting for that magazine to make fun of their own cartoonists who were massacred by terrorists. Do they truly believe in the ultimate freedom to defame all? Then let them draw those deceased colleagues of theirs in the same vulgar manners, naked and in sexually disgusting positions, and poking the same ribald vicious callous humor at their dead memories! But if they do not do so, and they shall never do so, then let them realize the sheer hypocrisy of their claims.
The point is that there is NO ultimate freedom of speech, anywhere in the world, and each and every society has legal prohibitions, and societal barriers, towards certain types of speech. And overall, that is a GOOD thing, and we as Muslims understand that. Our contention is that that same respect, if not more, deserves to be given to all sacred symbols as well.
Russians outraged after Charlie Hebdo cartoons ‘ridicule’ Sinai plane crash — RT News
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@Akheilos @Zarvan @Malik Abdullah @JUBA @monitor
Last edited:
