USA: Free speech and Islam | Letters

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As a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, I combat hurtful cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad through letters like this.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Star-Telegram
By Letters | May 8, 2015

Yahya Tariq, Dallas: As an Ahmadi Muslim youth, I wholeheartedly condemn the attack in Garland, for violence has no place in Islam. At the same time, I condemn the disrespectful cartoon drawings of the Prophet Muhammad showed at this event, for hate has no place in civilized society.

Islam has never permitted violence in response to blasphemy. Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, noted:

“Religion is worth the name only so long as it is in consonance with reason. If it fails to satisfy that requisite, if it has to make up for its discomfiture in argument by handling the sword, it needs no other argument for its falsification. The sword it wields cuts its own throat before reaching others.”

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Ahmed Malik, Denton: The actions of Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi, killed by police in the attack in Garland, were not only despicable, but go against the basic fundamentals of Islam, the religion in whose name they claimed to act.

As a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, I combat hurtful cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad through letters like this.

In 2015, the only type of jihad, other than a internal, spiritual jihad, that should be committed is through the pen. I understand the hurt sentiments involved, but in no way is it appropriate to attack innocent people exercising their freedom of speech.

Simpson and Soofi should have instead exercised their own freedom of speech, to get the point across that an event such as the cartoon drawing contest is offensive. We should engage in fruitful dialogue as civilized human beings and faithful Muslims.

Read original post here: USA: Free speech and Islam | Letters


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