Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |
Source & Credit: Ahmadiyya Muslim Community - USA
By Dr. Waseem A. Sayed | AMC-USA Spokesman
Edited by Ahmadiyya Times.
The offensive cartoon depicting the founder of Islam as a dog goes beyond freedom of speech
According to the press release issued, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA strongly condemned the recent publication in Sweden of a very offensive cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad with the body of a dog. "This supposed expression of freedom of speech is nothing more than a malicious attempt to offend the sentiments of an entire religious body," said the press release.
"The re-publication of this 2007 cartoon by Swedish newspapers serves no purpose than to create civil unrest," says Dr. Waseem Sayed on behalf of the AMC-USA. "Lars Vilks, the artist behind the controversial cartoon, admitted his intention was to insult when he said 'there's nothing that is so holy you can't offend it."
"The cartoon was printed to preserve freedom of speech and demonstrate extremists cannot intimidate non-Muslims, but the cartoonist and newspapers are making the mistake of mixing extremists’ views with Muhammad’s views," Dr. Sayed said.
“Lars Vilks has done nothing more than shout fire in a crowded theater” said Dr. Nasim Rehmatullah, Vice President of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA. “This is not freedom of expression. This is an attempt to insult a prophet, and Muslims are opposed to the insult of any prophet.”
The press release stated that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA does not condone the actions of the seven individuals arrested in Ireland on Tuesday for an alleged plot to kill Vilks.
"The Qur'an protects freedom of speech in at least four instances and, on five occasions prohibits any action be taken against any blasphemer other than refraining to be in such company. So any retaliation against Lars Vilks is outside the teachings of Islam and, thus, condemned," said the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
Islamic law generally opposes any depiction of any prophet, not just Muhammad. To this end, Muslims do not create drawn or sculpted depictions – even favorable – of any prophet. Islam teaches its followers to have respect for all faiths, and it is our hope that others will exhibit the same respect for the founder of Islam that Muslims exhibit for the founders of all other faiths.
About the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community:
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, reformist and fast growing international movement within Islam. The community known for its anti-jihadi stance was founded in 1889, and spans over 190 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1921, is the first American-Muslim organization. www.alislam.org or www.mta.tv.
Contact: Waseem Sayed, Spokesperson, AMC-USA - 909-636-4397 - waseem.sayed@ahmadiyya.us
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