Freedom Of Speech Is Not freedom To Insult:

Freedom Of Speech Is Not freedom To Insult:

The recent publication of the prophet Mohammed in a newspaper in Denmark, and repeated in France, was a direct insult to Moslems internationally. This caricature the prophet Mohammed was (among other things), portrayed wearing a sash with a lighted fuse in it. Which could be interpreted by viewers as indicative of a suicide bomber.

These malicious and insulting acts at portraying the messenger of Islam, only conveys contempt for that religion, and it's followers. Some western governments declared that under democracy, people have the right to free speech, via the media or press. But in the Moslem world, it is viewed as an insult to their religious personage, and an insult to Islam .

Thousands took to the streets of several Islamic/Moslem oriented countries, in protest to this outrage. Some shouted for Jihad, while others shouted death to the UK, death to the West, and death to the infidels of Islam. Others asked whether the West would have accepted such an insult to Christianity or Jesus!

Whatever the motive, this act was contemptuous, hateful, tactless, and bigoted. What on earth was this person thinking when he/she decided to publish these caricatures, in a climate of severe religious sensitivities, especially in light of the current wars in Iraq & Afghanistan.

I sincerely hope that reason, restraint, and rational thinking will prevail.

Om Shanti.
Derryck S. Griffith.
Educator & Advocate.