Peace and service to humanity a response to anti-Islam film

Freedom of speech!

Source/Credit: THE-TIMES Saturday, October 20, 2012 by Laiq Ahmed Atif

Freedom of speech, expression and conscience is a noble value and is vital to spread a message and to restore the dignity of man. Freedom of speech is also a pillar of democracy. Moreover, such freedom is both essential and crucial for a society to register progress.

Thus, such freedom should not be compromised and people should not be deprived of this basic and fundamental human right.

I also believe that one must be very responsible when practising this freedom. And, as the world has become a global village, it is very important for the greater benefit and the common good of the entire world that we all consider the sensitivities of the immense diversity and pluralism in our global village when practising this right for free speech.

According to Wikipedia, “freedom of speech is the political right to communicate one’s opinions and ideas. The term freedom of expression is sometimes used synonymously but includes any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used”.

It is very important that we must differentiate between freedom of speech and vulgarity, indecency and hate speech. And we must not forget that any irrational and insensitive action when practising freedom of speech can be exploited by fundamentalists and terrorists who are always there to destroy the peace of our global society.

So, a huge responsibility lies on our shoulders as a global family when freedom of speech comes into play.

Unfortunately, we find many cases around the world where freedom of speech and expression is grossly misused and abused and there are many who would want to make this an absolute and unquestionable right. Of course, it is not possible to take everything as an absolute and humans enjoy no right that is totally unconditional.

Wikipedia states: “In practice, the right to freedom of speech is not absolute in any country and the right is commonly subject to limitations, as with libel, slander, obscenity, sedition (including, for example, inciting ethnic hatred), copyright violation, revelation and incitement to commit a crime”.

The recent notorious case of an anti-Islam film and caricatures of Prophet Muhammed attracted different reactions from people from all walks of life and were condemned by many, including by US President Barack Obama, who said: “I believe its message must be rejected by all who respect our common humanity. It is an insult not only to Muslims but America as well.”

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said: “My position is that freedom of expression, while it is a fundamental right and privilege, should not be abused by such people, by such a disgraceful and shameful act”.

The head of the global Ahmadiyya Muslim Community also condemned these insulting actions together with the violent reaction of Muslims around the world. He expressed concern over such inappropriate, divisive and derisive resort to freedom of speech and highlighted how hurtful and abusive the ‘free speech’ of the anti-Islam film is to the sentiments of the 1.5 billion Muslims.

I believe that hurting one’s sentiments, injuring feelings, humiliating, malice and spreading hate do not fall within the ambit of freedom of speech and expression. And when insulting holy personages and sacred people of different faiths, it becomes even harsher and more painful.

The head of our community said that the law on freedom of speech is not heavenly scripture and that there can be flaws in man-made laws; some aspects can be missed while legislating because man does not possess the knowledge of the unseen.

While a law on freedom of speech gives an individual freedom, which is fine, there is no law against injuring the sentiments of others. To treat freedom of speech as paramount at the expense of world peace and harmony was a flawed concept. He said: “Let it not be that, in the name of freedom of speech, the peace of the entire world be destroyed.”

As mentioned above, the law about free speech is commonly subject to limitations. Thus, it would be nice if there are also laws to respect the sentiments of each other and promote respect and honour for the founders of all the religions of the world, without any discrimination.

I firmly believe that nobody should denigrate or encourage disrespect to such noble personages as Buddha, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. Likewise, no law can heighten their nobility, honour and dignity. However, laws can prevent hurting each other’s feelings and lay the foundation of reconciliation, harmony and tolerance between all religions. Furthermore, extremists will not have an excuse to destroy the peace of our beautiful global village.

Let me also make it clear that I am not saying that people should be stopped from criticising religions. My point is that everyone has a right to criticise, speak and ask questions about any religion but one should express one’s opinions in a decent and respectful manner. Yet, the film and caricatures mentioned above were clearly intended to mock and insult. Their purpose was neither education nor discussion. They were simply an outburst of prejudice and hatred. They were the extreme example of hate speech.

Both the film and the cartoons were insulting but violence can never be justified. Responsible free speech is good and gives us the opportunity to express ourselves. Thus, freedom of expression should and must be guaranteed and protected when it is used for the common good. But hate is evil and brings out the worst in people.

We must learn that swords can win territories but not hearts; force can bend heads but not minds. We need to remember that, at the end, love conquers and hate divides, so hate needs to go.

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True love for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

TRUE LOVE FOR THE HOLY PROPHET MUHAMMAD^sa

Maltese Translation of the Friday Sermon delivered by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad Khalifatul Masih V aba, Head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, on 21^stSeptember 2012 from the Baitul Futuh Mosque, London.

In response to the crude film depicting the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa in the most offensive manner and in light of Muslim and non-Muslim reaction to the film worldwide, His Holiness explained how an Ahmadi—a true Muslim—should react and how true love for the Holy Prophet^sa should be displayed by all Muslims worldwide. He also drew the attention of the world towards its responsibilities.

Please read full translation in Maltese language through the links below:

IMĦABBA VERA GĦALL-QADDIS PROFETA MUĦAMMAD^sa

True Love for the Holy Prophet Muhammad

http://ahmadiyyamalta.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/true-love-for-the-holy-prophet-muhammad.pdf

Mindset needs to be changed!

The extremist, fundamentalist, fanatic and terrorist have once again proven that they will target anything that comes in their way, and they care least for shedding blood of innocent people – even if it is of an innocent 14-year-old girl.

The news about the terrorist attack on a school van, which left three school girls injured, among whom was Malala Yousafzai, in Swat, Pakistan, spread like wildfire. This incident of target killing was one of the worst of its kind. This attack is widely being condemned.

The attack was inhuman, cruel, brutal, satanic, vicious and barbaric. And those who did it are being called humans. I wonder if they have a heart, and if it was beating when they were fulfilling their vicious intentions.

We condemn this attack unreservedly and categorically; violence has no justification at all. Violence must be rejected and condemned unreservedly.

These terrorists hold a mentality that they have every right to enforce their ideology on others, and for that they are using guns, weapons and bombs. They find some vulnerable and illiterate children and then brainwash them, showing them beautiful gardens of heavens, and that they will be welcomed by angels and will become very close to the Almighty God.

Malala Yousafzai won international recognition for highlighting Taliban atrocities in Swat through writing a diary for the BBC three years ago, when militants and hardliners destroyed girls’ schools in the area claiming that it is non-Islamic to send girls to school. And they threatened that if people will not abide by their principles, they should become ready to face harsh circumstances.

During those difficult and hard days, she stood up and started writing with her pen name. Her biggest concern was the ban on education, and she decided to raise her voice against this grave injustice. She describes those days as a ‘bad dream’.

After the military operation in Swat, and when the situation ameliorated, she started a scheme for the education of women and for that she also gave interviews on television. And she was seen as a hope for the better. She also expressed that she will work for the education of women and to achieve that goal she will do her utmost and will leave no stone unturned.

In 2011, she received the first national peace award from the government of Pakistan, and was also nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize by advocacy group Kids Rights Foundation.

Malala is recognised as ambassador of peace and as a symbol of bravery and determination. She was the voice for all those who wished to carry on with their education, she stood against the atrocities and resisted the compulsion of extremists. She fought them with her power of pen, instead of weapons. She took a bold stance in the line of fire, and didn’t care for her life.

I firmly believe all this, and Malala’s story is clear evidence that the extremist mindset needs to be changed, and this kind of ideology should be discarded by society. And for this change, the candle of education which was lit by Malala should be kept illuminated. Education, a non-violent approach, true interpretation of religion, and a united action and battle against this mindset is very crucial and has become a need of the time.

All the stakeholders should join for this noble cause. The responsibility also lies on the shoulders of religious leaders and representatives who should stand up and speak loud and clear against this mindset and show the true face of religion. Do not let these people use the name of religion for their inhuman atrocities. This element of violence and hatred should be nipped in the bud.

Killing any human being is a grave crime; it is terrorism, it is barbarism and inhuman – every religion, society and good-natured person condemns it. These terrorists are using the name of Islam, but in reality Islam does not teach such atrocities. Islam categorically rejects and condemns every form of terrorism. It does not provide any cover or justification for any act of violence, be it committed by an individual, a group or a government. These terrorist acts have nothing to do with Islam or humanity. These people are the worst enemies of Islam and mankind.

The Holy Quran states:

“Whosoever killed a person... it shall be as if he had killed all mankind; and who so gave life to one, it shall be as if he had given life to all mankind.” (5:33)

I think these so-called Muslims should also read the Farewell Address of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, when he stood before a large gathering of Muslims and said; “God has made the lives, property and honour of every man sacred.”

I want to convey my message to such mindsets that swords can win territories, not hearts. Force can bend heads, not minds. To win hearts, this violent ideology must stop.

Malala is in hospital and is in a very critical condition. We hope and pray for her speedy recovery and to regain complete health. May she get well soon. Long live Malala – the ambassador of peace and symbol of bravery.

Read Original Post in the Malta Independent