Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Articles
Source & Credit: Chicago Islam Examiner | March 11, 2010
By Qasim Rashid | Chicago, IL
In August 2007, Swedish cartoonist Lars Vilks published an offensive cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad (sa) in an effort to express freedom of speech. Leading papers in Sweden have republished the cartoon to re-demonstrate their freedom of speech. When asked about his actions Vilks responded, "I have no regrets at all about this. There are very strong reasons to do that again."
It seems that freedom of speech has become a shield for any comment made, regardless of its consequences. Rather than appreciate freedom of speech as a tool of progression, individuals like Vilks manipulate it as a means of instigation. Is it impossible to express freedom of speech and maintain civility? According to Vilks, the two are mutually exclusive. If Vilks feels such abhorrence to terrorists, and rightfully so, why not target them specifically? To target the Prophet Muhammad (sa), a man who championed freedom of conscience, amounts exactly to demonizing Jesus (pbuh) in protest of the KKK. Both approaches are illogical and only cause more harm.
However, let it be clear—should any Muslim respond to this cartoon with anything but peace, the Muslim is to blame, not Lars Vilks. Islam condemns responding to insults with further insults, let alone violence. The Holy Qur'an declares, "And the servants of the Gracious God are those who walk on the earth in a dignified manner, and when the ignorant address them, they say, ‘Peace!’" (25:64)
If Lars Vilks was truly knowledgable of the majestic personality of Muhammad (sa), he would never have dreamed such an offensive cartoon. Alas, as he demonstrates his ignorance and nothing else, I say to him Peace, and no more.
Read the original article here: Swedish media publishes offensive caricature of Prophet Muhammad
Qasim Rashid is a contributing member of Majlis Sultanul Qalm, USA (MSQ USA) and regularly writes for Examiner.com and various other publications on topics ranging from Islam to human rights. Leave your thoughts and comments, or email Qasim at 1muslim.examiner@gmail.com 
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