Much of the brouhaha over the Muhammad cartoon controversy has died down. The boiling tempers over this distressing episode may have simmered down, and cooler and more sober heads may have prevailed, but the repercussions are likely to extend far into the future.
Here in the Philippines, the reactions within the Muslim community were largely peaceful, simply because Filipinos, majority of whom are Roman Catholics, are generally tolerant and respectful of the more than 5 million Islamic adherents in the country. Provoking them needlessly, as was the case in Europe, especially in Denmark where the offensive cartoons first saw print, would put into jeopardy the Government's current Peace Negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a rebel group fighting for a separate Islamic state in Mindanao, and in a broader sense, further alienate into the margins the Muslim minority, whose culture and heritage are quite distinct from the rest of the country. Go to Marawi City in Lanao del Sur, or even Cotabato and you feel like you are in a different place altogether. Muslim Mindanao has a lot in common with Malaysian and Indonesian towns and cities, than with the rest of the Philippines. The point is, you insult Muslims and you risk losing whatever little sympathy they may have with Manila.
The editor of the Danish newspaper remains unapologetic and defiant despite the storm of rage, even violence, that the cartoons have generated across the Islamic world. The right to freedom of expression is the cornerstone of any Western democracy, and publishing the offensive cartoons, one of which showed Muhammad wearing a turban shaped like a bomb, is a legitimate exercise of that basic right, whether the issue is taboo or not.
The problem with this assertion, as Muslim journalists have correctedly pointed out, is that this smacks of double-standards and leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Traumatized Germany does not allow any positive reference to Hitler, not even the publication of Mein Kempf. Also throughout Europe, anti-Semitic laws are in place to curb down offensive activities directed towards Jews. Indeed, freedom of the press should be tempered by responsibility and accountability. The cartoons are simply images of hate and intolerance. It is plain and simple bigotry. You cannot risk giving bin-Laden any reason to replicate 9-11, or perhaps inspire an offended Muslim to take a misguided path towards a totally distorted view of Islamic paradise.
God knows how many nations went to war over religious differences. The Spanish Inquisition, the Hundred Years' War. The Jewish diaspora. The continuing sectarian violence in Northern Ireland. Haven't we learned anything from history? Do we really need to fan the flames of anger over this very sensitive issue?
The Danish editor deserves all the dung that is heaped upon him. And more. His arrogance and belligerence only highlights his intellectual hypocrisy, all under the guise and pretense of the freedom of speech. His actions have put innocent lives at risk. In this day and age when Islam is being pitted against the Western faiths, when Eastern cultures clash with Western ideas, when terrorism is a terrifying reality, he should be more circumspect and sensitive to other cultures. He needs to understand and respect ideas other than his own. We should live and co-exist peacefully, regardless of our political and religious beliefs. Insulting people for no apparent reason other than simply to push the envelope too far never did anyone any good. Good thing we do not have a Khomeini to issue a fatwa against the editor anymore. Really, because he is asking for it.
Here in the Philippines, the reactions within the Muslim community were largely peaceful, simply because Filipinos, majority of whom are Roman Catholics, are generally tolerant and respectful of the more than 5 million Islamic adherents in the country. Provoking them needlessly, as was the case in Europe, especially in Denmark where the offensive cartoons first saw print, would put into jeopardy the Government's current Peace Negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a rebel group fighting for a separate Islamic state in Mindanao, and in a broader sense, further alienate into the margins the Muslim minority, whose culture and heritage are quite distinct from the rest of the country. Go to Marawi City in Lanao del Sur, or even Cotabato and you feel like you are in a different place altogether. Muslim Mindanao has a lot in common with Malaysian and Indonesian towns and cities, than with the rest of the Philippines. The point is, you insult Muslims and you risk losing whatever little sympathy they may have with Manila.
The editor of the Danish newspaper remains unapologetic and defiant despite the storm of rage, even violence, that the cartoons have generated across the Islamic world. The right to freedom of expression is the cornerstone of any Western democracy, and publishing the offensive cartoons, one of which showed Muhammad wearing a turban shaped like a bomb, is a legitimate exercise of that basic right, whether the issue is taboo or not.
The problem with this assertion, as Muslim journalists have correctedly pointed out, is that this smacks of double-standards and leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Traumatized Germany does not allow any positive reference to Hitler, not even the publication of Mein Kempf. Also throughout Europe, anti-Semitic laws are in place to curb down offensive activities directed towards Jews. Indeed, freedom of the press should be tempered by responsibility and accountability. The cartoons are simply images of hate and intolerance. It is plain and simple bigotry. You cannot risk giving bin-Laden any reason to replicate 9-11, or perhaps inspire an offended Muslim to take a misguided path towards a totally distorted view of Islamic paradise.
God knows how many nations went to war over religious differences. The Spanish Inquisition, the Hundred Years' War. The Jewish diaspora. The continuing sectarian violence in Northern Ireland. Haven't we learned anything from history? Do we really need to fan the flames of anger over this very sensitive issue?
The Danish editor deserves all the dung that is heaped upon him. And more. His arrogance and belligerence only highlights his intellectual hypocrisy, all under the guise and pretense of the freedom of speech. His actions have put innocent lives at risk. In this day and age when Islam is being pitted against the Western faiths, when Eastern cultures clash with Western ideas, when terrorism is a terrifying reality, he should be more circumspect and sensitive to other cultures. He needs to understand and respect ideas other than his own. We should live and co-exist peacefully, regardless of our political and religious beliefs. Insulting people for no apparent reason other than simply to push the envelope too far never did anyone any good. Good thing we do not have a Khomeini to issue a fatwa against the editor anymore. Really, because he is asking for it.
No comments:
Post a Comment