We have all heard about the film “Innocence of Muslims” put
on the Internet by some shady Egyptian American Christian which supposedly puts
Islam and the prophet Muhammad in a bad light. I have not seen the short film
and cannot comment on the content of the film but I can comment on the
worldwide violent and deadly Muslim reaction to the film around the world and
now, even in my own community of Canton ,
Michigan
In Canton ,
the rally was small and peaceful as were other rallies in the Detroit Metro
area which is home to a growing Muslim population.
Speakers at these rallies decried the ever growing”
Islamophobia” in the U.S.
but were quick to point out how peaceful their protests were when compared to
those outside of the U.S.
My concern here is why protest at all and what do the
protestors want?
Here in the United
States we have a very strong freedom of
speech principle that as the First Amendment is enshrined in our constitution;
we may not agree with all that people say but we will defend their right to say
it…to the death.
In the U.S.
no subject is off limits and all subjects are ridiculed by someone at some
point in time; we ignore most attacks and get pissed at some and if the attacks
are illegal, we sue… like unjust defamation of character, etc.
Religion as a subject or religious personages as subjects of
criticism or ridicule are not protected subjects as they are in other
countries, mostly Muslim countries where you can be hung for speaking ill of
Islam…
And here lies the problem…
One of the protestors said that the film hurt him and asked why
are people trying to hurt my religion, my beliefs. Another protester held a
sign that read “Freedom of speech is not freedom of blasphemy”. Other signs
said “My prophet is my honor” and “We love our prophet” and “The film defames
our beloved prophet”.
A protester said that we love our religion and we want everyone
to respect our religion and others thought that our freedom of speech principle
should be amended to prohibit offending Islam as well as other religions.
To me the thought that a short film shown on YouTube could
cause a worldwide protest that has killed many, is patently absurd and is truly
a clash of cultures.
Here in my community, the fact that educated Muslims would
take to the streets to protest an obscure movie that if ignored, would have
never seen the light of day is disturbing and disheartening.
In protesting, Muslims apparently want something done
against attacks on their religion as in prohibiting attacks on their religion
and that is something that can never be done, at least in this country and so
the only things that CAN change is THEIR attitude towards attacks or criticism
of their religion and their prophet, etc.
Religions cannot be hurt by words but they can be hurt by
the actions of the people within that religion and the worldwide protests over
a stupid movie does not show Muslims in a positive light but accentuates the
actions of seemingly uncivilized and adolescent men and women unused to living
in a tolerant and diverse modern society.
Sure, unkind words and pictures can sting and injure one’s
feelings but that is life and you cannot pass laws forbidding those words and
pictures because those are fundamental rights we all enjoy in this country for
better or worst.
American Muslims cannot demand respect for themselves and
their religion, they must earn the respect through their actions as Americans
as countless other immigrants of various religious persuasions have done
through the ages.
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