Source: Independent
By Qasim Rashid
Blasphemy laws began in Christian countries, and started appearing in Muslim majority countries after British imperialism. But if we go back to the Quran, we can see that what’s happening in Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Pakistan isn’t faithfully Islamic at all
In the 1979 hit British comedy Monty Python’s Life of Brian, an elderly man is charged and convicted for committing blasphemy. His crime? Uttering the name Jehovah. He insists he’s innocent, but an angry crowd is ready to unleash a barrage of stones on him.
It seems life imitates art. Last week Ireland investigated Stephen Fry, an outspoken critic of religion, for allegedly running foul of a 2009 blasphemy law. In the United States this week, a woman was convicted of laughing at Attorney General Sessions, and faces a year in prison.
Blasphemy laws historically began in Christian Europe as a means to prevent dissent and enforce the church’s authority. They were exported to Muslim majority nations via British imperialism. Today, just about every Muslim majority nation that has blasphemy laws can trace them back to British statute from centuries prior.
Nowadays, blasphemy cases are becoming increasingly popular as a means to persecute minorities in nations like Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. In Pakistan, notable Ahmadi Muslim Tahir Mehdi was finally released after nearly two years in prison for the alleged blasphemy of claiming he is Muslim. Meanwhile another Ahmadi Muslim — 81-year-old Shukoor Ahmad — serves an eight-year prison term for the same alleged crime of blasphemy.
In Saudi Arabia, Raif Badawi is still in prison for the alleged blasphemy of being an atheist. And this week in Indonesia, courts convicted Jakarta’s Governor Aho of blasphemy: the governor, who is a Christian, faces a two year prison sentence. Ahok’s crime? He rebuked claims by clerics that the Quran mandates Muslims to vote for a Muslim over a non-Muslim.
Suggested reading
Freedom of Speech: A Core Islamic Value!
A New Commentary of the Holy Quran Emphasizing Compassion, Justice and Human Rights Launched
The Holy Quran as the Miracle of the Holy Prophet
Compilation of the Holy Quran into a text
True Nature of Divine Revelations
Freedom of Speech: A Core Islamic Value!
Free Speech vs. Hate Speech
Believing in the Blasphemy Laws is ‘the Real Blasphemy’: But, There is No Worldly Punishment
Blasphemy in Islam: The Quran does not prescribe punishment for abusing the Prophet
Shariah and Freedom of Speech and Expression
Examining Both Sides: Freedom of Speech and Its Limitations?
Categories: Ahmadiyyat: True Islam, America, Americas, Arab World, Asia, Europe, Indonesia, Islam, Qur'an, Quran, United States
An in depth analysis. The supporter for such law are not doing it for the honor of the Holy Prophet SAW but their own dirty politics. That is why every evidence and reference goes in vain.
Unfortunately, Muslims states did punish blasphemers before christian imperialism, so it is not right of Qasim Rashid to put the blame for wrong muslim views/attitudes on Christians. His poorly researched article comes under the category of ‘fake news’, sorry to have to say. There are dubious reports of killing for blasphemy in hadith/sira literature, which muslims continue to act upon.