At UN, free speech divides West and Muslim nations
Los Angeles Times
Prompted by the anti-Islam video produced in California that has stirred deadly riots around the world, delegations from major Muslim nations have arrived at the U.N. prepared to demand international curbs on speech or media that they believe defame …
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Chief Editor’s comments
The question is not free speech! The West does understand the limits of obscenity, hate speech, defamation, libel and holocaust denial. But, can the West understand decency in speech in the domain of religion and especially when referring to the founders of religion is the question? Can they let go of the axe they have to grind and let Muslims and Islam peacefully co-exist?
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The Muslim World delegates must weigh the pros and cons of this demand of curbing “freedom of expression” when it comes to Islam and the Prophet. It is a sensitive issue and needs to be handled with wisdom and not merely religious emotionalism.
A small mistake can bring in a type of a “Blasphemy Law” with international repurcussions. In trying to serve Islam and honour the Prophet, the Muslims of the 21st century should not give another tool in the hands of religious extremists to justify their violence.
This reason of “religious sentiments being hurt” resulted in introducing “Blasphemy Law” in Pakistan. Thousands have suffered and are suffering because of its misuse.
If such a law is passed in the UN will not give the extremist of every religion to create “mischief in their countries” in the name of their respective religions?
MAV
UN should not poke its nose in the things they do not about and cannot fair and just in making such rules. Instead they should prohibit all nations specially Pakistan from making blasphemy laws and. UN should get down doing its main business of keeping peace and harmony among all nations. It must therefore help eradicate anti-religious laws.