France: Arsonists disregard the Prophet Mohammed’s teachings

The French newspaper acted under the guise of freedom of expression. Such a freedom shouldn’t be deemed as a license to hurt the sensibilities of the billion-plus followers of Islam. Mocking holy personages of any faith is in bad taste and repulsive.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Miami Herald | Letters
By Mansura Bashir Minhas | November 11, 2011

Re the Nov. 2 story Fire at French newspaper after Mohammed issue:

Those who set the French newspaper’s office on fire to avenge the dishonor of Prophet Mohammed disregarded the example of the person they sought to defend.

There are numerous instances of his utter humility and forbearance in the face of severest persecution, telling of his likely response had he been invited to edit the newspaper. Prophet Mohammed would have ignored such mocking and demonstrated utter restraint.

Prophet Mohammed forgave his staunchest enemies, even those who inflicted physical harm upon him. In the early years of his prophethood, children of Taif (a city on the outskirts of Mecca) pelted him with stones, and he bled profusely.
However, his response was magnanimous, and not only did he ignore the affliction, he even prayed for the aggressors. His character must be the guidepost while judging Islam; his actions constitute its legitimate interpretation.

The French newspaper acted under the guise of freedom of expression. Such a freedom shouldn’t be deemed as a license to hurt the sensibilities of the billion-plus followers of Islam. Mocking holy personages of any faith is in bad taste and repulsive. Caution is needed in such matters. The world is already riddled with chaos exacerbated by the lack of tolerance. Stretching the limits of freedom of speech will never help; rather, it will broaden the widening schisms.

A balanced approach requires constraints of intolerance and incitement.

Mansura Bashir Minhas,
Miami


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