On January 7 2015, gunmen committed the heinous murder of 12 people at the Charlie Hebdo offices in Paris; in my view, it may open a barrage of extremism on both ends of the ideological spectrum.
My heart melts with grief for all the victims and their families of this atrocity.
The perpetrators of this brutal attack may justify their acts in the name of Islam and its Holy Founder, Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him – PBUH), but their acts have no relation whatsoever to the true teachings of Islam.
I am an Ahmadi Muslim and nowhere does my religion Islam permit taking the law into one’s own hands or to injure or murder anyone.
These perpetrators belonged to the ranks of a breed of evil that knows no humanity, no decency, no morals and no religion.
The self-concocted religion of these perpetrators depends on nothing other than gunfire.
My religion Islam, however, depends neither on the sword nor the gun, nor on any other form of force.
It must also be highlighted that for more than 1.5bn Muslims, the honour of Prophet Muhammad is a soft spot.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is held by Muslims more dear than all of their loved ones.
However, history testifies that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) never responded violently to insults against him or Islam; rather he always responded to abuse with love and wisdom.
He never infringed on anyone’s right to free speech. Any devoted Muslim knows the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) faced severe blasphemy; but pardoned the culprits.
If one claims to be a follower of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), then such person should follow in his footsteps.
Taking the law into one’s own hands and committing murders is not what my religion Islam teaches.
Islam also encourages the importance of free speech, but this right should be exercised in a respectful and dignified manner.
Any act in the name of “freedom” that infringes upon the rights of others, or injures the religious sentiments of others can not at all be conducive to world peace and harmony.
Therefore, the staunch supporters of absolute free speech need to ponder on whether or not freedom of speech requires a degree of responsibility to be exercised.
It is one thing to express one’s views in a respectful manner and to raise one’s concerns and criticisms appropriately, against Islam or any other religion.
What is the purpose of resorting to outright mockery and abuse to highlight one’s viewpoint?
Will such an approach promote peace, or disrupt it?
If civilized people seek progressive goals to proactively build bridges of understanding, foster compassion, and better raise the youth with maturity, then insulting each other’s religious leaders does not contribute to such goals.
In my view, the cartoons published by Charlie Hebdo have been an immature, uncivilised and disrespectful approach to exhibit the right of freedom of speech.
Yet, there is no justification whatsoever for the violence perpetrated by the fanatics in retaliation.
FAHEEM MIRZA
Croydon
- Send your letters to: letters@croydonguardian.co.uk
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