Muslims and the media
Muslims and the media
It's been clearly demonstrated that just one spark is
sufficient to light the fuse, if the fuse has been primed and
correctly prepared. The continuing global disturbances and chaos
caused by protesters claiming Islamic affiliation is the most
current example.
I doubt whether Danish Newspaper Jyllands-Posten could ever have
anticipated the scale of the response the publishing of
so-called caricatures of the Islamic Holy Prophet Muhammed would
cause. I say so-called, because how do you caricature someone or
something of which there's no photographic or pictorial record?
Having pursued spirituality (as opposed to religiosity) my whole
life, I have a profound respect and indeed affection for all
paths. I believe the Universe, God, Allah, Brahman, Buddha,
Jesus, Hashem, Krishna, Rama, the Tao, whatever you wish to call
Him, Her, It, has offered a buffet-table of spiritually
nourishing sustenance to human-kind. From which end of the table
and what food you choose to eat is largely a matter of
emotional, psychological and intellectual make-up and preference.
Over the centuries, factions within Christianity, Judaism,
Islam, Hinduism and many other religions, cults or sects have
wreaked their own kind of havoc in their quest either to
proselytise or defend their particular faith. For me, the
paradox is the very idea of us defending whatever our concept is
of 'God'. I thought the protection mechanism worked the other
way around!
I wrote a good number of years ago, an article entitled 'Islam
is not the problem'. It attracted the attention and a
complimentary written response from then South African Minister
of Education, Professor Kader Asmal. I still don't think Islam
is the problem. As I don't think Judaism is the problem (as one
small example) when it comes to fanatical right-wing Jews
cursing Ariel Sharon or throwing stones at non-observant Jews
and non-Jews alike who desecrate what the fundamentalists regard
as their inviolable Sabbath. Christians like the Rev. Pat
Robertson and his ilk spew nationalistic venom from their
pulpits also under the cloak of defending the faith and
upholding the 'dignity of God.' Similarly, sectarian right-wing
'Hindus' wage war on their fellow-countrymen.
This is all of course, a dreadful fraud. Religion is being
co-opted as a radicalised political tool to achieve agendas that
have nothing whatsoever to do with spirituality. The behaviour
of people of all faiths under these circumstances is utterly
unacceptable in a civilised society. Hindus razing a mosque in
India, supposed 'Islamic' terrorists slaughtering children in
Beslan, Christians behaving like they have some sort of
franchise on passports to 'heaven', or Jews abusing Palestinians
- all not the work of spiritual individuals.
Logic, in my book, says, firstly 'How can we caricature or
cartoon say the prophets Isaiah, Moses, Krishna, Jesus or
whatever concept of God when we have no idea what that prophet
or 'God' looks like'? Secondly, is my belief system or faith
(belief without evidence) so frail that I'm unable to tolerate
any level of cynicism, ridicule or 'attack' on it? The constant
threat of violence, retribution or execution threatened by the
radical fringes of all religions when their path comes under
perceived attack is something civilised society must not and
cannot afford to accept.
The explicit message is that society must be subverted to the
belief systems and will of the particular religion. That is
illogical and insupportable unless that society has chosen to
live under religious rule. The rules of a particular religion
can and must apply to the voluntary adherents of that religion.
Seeking to impose those rules on secular society, agnostics,
atheists or people of other persuasions, is the antithesis of
democracy and the right to free speech. There must not be two
sets of rules. Religions must not be able, via their supporting
media, to caricature or denigrate the leaders or figureheads of
other ethnic or religious groups and take umbrage only when
their chosen path comes under attack.
Do I think it was OK to create and publish the 'cartoons' of
Islamic Holy Prophet Muhammed? No. That was plain insensitive,
provocative and stupid. But the mature response would have been,
punish the particular medium if you chose to go that route.
Cancel subscriptions, yank advertising, start up a competitive
newspaper, buy the offending newspaper and fire the buggers
concerned.
I find it all too convenient that there were available
internationally, for burning, immediate supplies of what must
surely be the low purchase-frequency Danish national flag. This
and the subsequent death and destruction is not defending the
Holy Prophet of a major religion. This is sub-human, irrational,
emotionally immature behaviour by a minority seeking to grind
their own particular axe. With the fires set, stoked and fanned
by pseudo-leaders with a power-mongering agenda.
To the majority adherents of the beautiful religion of Islam -
take a stand against the radicalised minority hiding beneath the
banner of your path. Don't let them co-opt the name and identity
for too long. They do your valuable 'brand' and the teachings of
your Holy Prophet a great disservice.