Perspective: Freedom of speech - allowed at any cost? | Kholood Tahir

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Neither people should be provoked by wrong reactions nor should God’s chastisement be called on through them.’ May we always play a positive role in removing disorder from the world. Ameen.'

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By Kholood Tahir | March 2, 2015

Each religion is just as complex and beautiful as any other. Religion is like a very intricate and detailed painting. It is not painted itself, but is painted by the people who follow the faith. Followers are taught and guided how to paint the image. The people are those who create the impression, be it good or bad and the same painting is what other people see. Islam’s painting nowadays has been corrupted by people who call themselves Muslims. There is ISIS which is beheading individuals. There's Boko Haram which is kidnapping young girls. And there's also Al Qaeda and the Taliban who are killing uncontrollably. But that is not the real face of Islam. Has it ever occurred to you to look beyond the headlines, beyond the stories on the internet, beyond the comfort of your home, to actually find out who Muslims are?

The attacks on Charlie Hebdo offices go against the teachings of Islam. The actions of the barbaric extremists are in no way justified. Tolerance, which is known as a basic moral for Muslims, has been smashed and laid down upon by these people. That is not what has been taught to us.
In fact, on one occasion during the life of the Holy Founder of Islam, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), a very old lady was carrying a heavy load, and leaving the city of Mecca. The Prophet Muhammad saw and hurriedly held the load for her and started to walk. He asked her why she was leaving Mecca. The lady replied that she had heard that a magician named Muhammad had arrived and that she was escaping him. She went on further to call out other obscenities about the Prophet until she reached her destination. When the Holy Prophet was about to leave, the woman called out "Oh kind man, do tell me your name". The Holy Prophet replied "Mohammad." Such was the standard of tolerance that is shown through the example of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ). Such is the standard of tolerance we, as Muslims, are expected to uphold.

Most claims of the Charlie Hebdo publications are under the guise of freedom of speech. People say freedom of speech is allowed at any cost, but freedom of speech comes with many responsibilities. Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, is ‘the right to freedom of expression’, It is clearly stated that ‘it comes with duties, responsibilities and limitations’. One of the limitations is “The protection of the reputation or rights of others”. So, is the reputation of 1.6 billion Muslim’s of no worth? Are the rights of 1.6 billion Muslims of no worth? In any other case laws stop you from any sort of hate crime, but by publishing cartoons which are extremely disrespectful towards the Muslims' beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), apparently freedom of speech is being exercised.

As said by the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim leader, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V in his Friday sermon of January 16th, 2015, ‘It is indeed God’s decree that our Jama’at- the true and ardent devotees of the Holy Prophet that convey the true teaching of Islam to the world. It is our responsibility so we should convey the message within our own sphere that wrong reactions only produce disorder and the global situation will be inflamed spreading all over. Neither people should be provoked by wrong reactions nor should God’s chastisement be called on through them.’ May we always play a positive role in removing disorder from the world. Ameen.'

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On the 11th of September 2001, it wasn't just the plane's that were hijacked that day, but my religion too.
Interpretations made of me and my friends, without even thinking of what I am, or even who.

The correct morals and values replaced by things far from the teachings I follow.
Viewing me as part of a stereotype: “Meaningless”. “Insignificant”. “Hollow”.

These same false teachings have been spread around, to create, of my religion, the wrong impression:
Triggering fear, panic, terror, “islamophobia”, and apprehension.

Islamophobia is a deadly disease and it’s affecting me; it’s affecting you; it’s affecting everyone around us.
Islamophobia is contagious; it needs to be stopped because it is not just.



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Kholood Tahir Munir is a fourteen years old writer from London.


(Slightly edited by AT staff)

  --  Perspective: Freedom of speech- allowed at any cost? | Kholood Tahir

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