“Thanks to easy access of unauthenticated material because of internet, the media brawl, the present IQ of human race is increasing constantly. If you happen to visit any video on You tube or any article as a matter of fact that has a comment section (Now a days almost all papers, journals, sites, etc have it), you will find scores of people commenting on various issues." Person 1
"So? Big deal! Aren't you supposed to have an opinion? Well, of course, you ought to. You have forgotten; aren't we living in times of Freedom of Expression. Duh!" ; Person 2.
"Oh! sorry. I belong to the generations of uncivilized uncouth people from eastern part of poverty striken world - who are wandering in the darkness of religion as yet. Silly irrational people who are guided by shariah laws laid by a man known as "Prophet Mohammad (SAW)". On the streets of India, haven't you seen those people who have big turbans on their head, and specially those burqah women who aren't as yet have the mercy of western ideologists to liberate themselves from the clutches of men who just ill-treat and subjugate them." person 1
" Yeah yeah. Now, I remember. I have seen a couple of videos and read news of similar kind in newspapers." Dont worry, check out the recent 'Draw Prophet day' movement. We are here to help you get out of the clutches of ignorance and enlighten you and also the anti burqah and naqab movements in the Europe. If you ever want any help, don't hesitate." Person 2.
Sad and happy to my position, I cant even slander you for slandering me. I am on a serious breech of code of conduct of that aged rusted shariah law. We believe that Allah has given us the ability to speak/express. That's like equivalent to your body. Its given by Allah, nobody has the claim to it except you. Yet, at the same time He has given us the little thing in our skull called "Brain" which is to put to action before one spurts out what is on ones liberated mind." person 1
"Slandering or bearing with you? Which ones apt? Western civilization is the pioneer of liberation. Either its writing or saying, they really are advanced set of people who have made really good contribution to the society as a whole while you people haven't heard of something called 'freedom of expression'. Read your history right kiddo." Person 2
"Freedom of expression, more narrowly: freedom of speech is under constant threat to itself in present times. But before dwelling into it, today I take the prestigious honor to welcome you all to the era of 'Enlightenment and New world', the founders of liberation. To be precise: the western world. The world that sees everything through the myopic view of themselves. Sometimes, it’s hard to even gauge that east existed just from the time west came into existence. Not so famous but factually true, is that the 'Dark periods' of western world were the peak golden periods of eastern civilization. The trade, sciences, literature, poetry and philosophy flourished. There was a good distance of 1000 years in progress. Eastern world had and has always been a good example of diversity of culture with few exceptions. The western world is yet to come to terms of accepting various cultures and different viewpoints.
We are in globalization era still refuting the phase of accepting each other: accepting that there is no single way of life and ideology. There is no single correct way of thinking and approach to life ways. It’s a multiple choice and I guess for the same reason freedom of speech was scheduled. The west by large hasn't really opened up to others accept to mock at the 'different'.
Well, 'everybody draw Mohammad day' is just one example of big bully threatening the small bully i.e. Its my way or no way. It’s not new for iconographic or image representation of God. Many religions are based on it. And, its also not new that someone has tried figurative approach towards Mohammad. But, before long it was abandoned with common consensus from various school of thoughts because it might lead to idolatry. The difference between their approach and today's attitude is the lack of aptitude to appreciate someone else’s core values of respect and veneration but the sheer presence of slandering and mockery.
Surprising enough, west (specifically Europe) in all its obtuseness of insight is so quick in showing the intolerance of other cultures (here specifically Islam) when without any second thought banning burqa, various religious bearing of a person and minarets (really minarets? What’s it’s got to do with Islam..it’s architecture.); making liberating decisions on behalf of people who are protesting outside not to pass the law.
Let me take a moment here to justify the need of 'Freedom of speech'. According to Wikipedia 'Freedom of speech' is the freedom to speak without censorship and/or limitation. The synonymous term freedom of expression is sometimes used to indicate not only freedom of verbal speech but any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used. In practice, the right to freedom of speech is not absolute in any country and the right is commonly subject to limitations, such as on "hate speech".
Hate is not a part of freedom of expression. It is not to get on someone’s nerve but to exchange ideas. A very learn friend of mine argued that just because someone is drawing doesn't mean you go and kill the person or give Fatwa to ostracize (Salman Rushdie). Bill Maher told that I can gaff at Pope or Jesus (PBUH) and no one would dare to come up with such a solution. Sorry, if you haven't kept the reverence for your religious leaders or God(s), or Prophets (PBUT). I can’t help it. If it doesn't concern you, it doesn't matter to you in the first place. You got to take a good look at yourself then and you have incurred it yourself upon yourself. And also imagine a Muslim person goofing around with his religion. Wo, I can feel some heat there. Agreed that no one should be killed, but Salman Rushdie was barred for the common good of the country to avoid hooliganism platform for furthering the communal disharmony.
Why don't people stand on Harlem crossroad, use the N word? Everyone has freedom of speech after all.
How would you react if a person speaks ill about your parents or sisters. Why should you react? Its that person's freedom of speech.
During the presidency election, when people were whispering about Barack Obama's Muslim background, Colin Powell took a stand and said "what it was - not free speech, but unacceptable, un-American bigotry" (source: Washington post)
Yes, that is what this is also. A plain bigotry. A purposeless blasphemous trifle with no intellectual agenda except to annoy muslim people. “Person 1.
