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Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Putting in perspective

Muslim scholar Tariq Ramadan, discussing the Muslim reaction to controversial cartoons:

"There are three things we have to bear in mind. First, it is against Islamic principles to represent in imagery not only Mohammed, but all the prophets of Islam. This is a clear prohibition.

"Second, in the Muslim world, we are not used to laughing at religion, our own or anybody else’s. This is far from our understanding. For that reason, these cartoons are seen, by average Muslims and not just radicals, as a transgression against something sacred, a provocation against Islam.

"Third, Muslims must understand that laughing at religion is a part of the broader culture in which they live in Europe, going back to Voltaire. Cynicism, irony and indeed blasphemy are part of the culture.

"When you live in such an environment as a Muslim, it is really important to be able to take a critical distance and not react so emotionally. You need to hold to your Islamic principles, but be wise enough not to overreact to provocation."

5 Comments:

Blogger Iqbal Khaldun said...

I've got to disagree with Ramadan on this one. The fact is nothing is so sacred that it cannot withstand criticism, humour or derision. A key article of belief (perhaps not faith) is the ability to withstand challenges to it.

I suspect the real story is that centres of power in Muslim-majority countries and in the West are feeding off the Danish cartoon backlash. For the corporate media, it is a good way to shore up the latent belief that Muslims are violent and incapable of compromise ("these people cannot be negotiated with"). For countries like Saudi Arabia or Iran, the cartoons are a useful diversion. Every power system needs its Goldstein.

Underlying much of the 'on the street' activities, the burnings, the shouting, and the general carrying on is a genuine sense of offence. I think this reflect a deep-seated sense of despair and resentment. With the West, and probably with Muslim-majority governments too. But I think it goes beyond that too. The fact is no religion, including Islam, can provide all the answers. The problem is many Muslims have been brought up to believe Islam is everything, and that everything must be viewed through Islam. But Islam can't provide answers to most everything that the modern world throws at us. As a sprititual, personal journey it may be a source of great inspiration to many. But beyond that it can only do so much. That's the honest truth. Until we confront that I'm afraid cartoons will continue to offend.

People are angry but they don't know how to express that anger, what to be angry about, and what to do about it. Incidentally, that summary probably applies to every society.

Tuesday, February 07, 2006 6:44:00 pm  
Blogger TimT said...

've got some news for you 'right wingers and conservatives'
the only aggressive fascist power that is even closely comparable to hitlers germany is the USA,
true, the muslim brotherhood took on a lot of the fascist technique and ideology,
but the american ruling elite learnt and applied the principles and lessons most effectively,
its modern, sophisticated, and harder to pin down, but its fascism


Interesting comment. Absolutely no substantive evidence provided, but golly!, it sounds convincing, doesn't it?

Wednesday, February 08, 2006 12:54:00 am  
Blogger Ant said...

Tariq sounds like a resonable man. He seems to understand thats its ok to live as a muslim....BUT it is also ok live a western lifestyle as well.

Too bad John Lennon's imagine is only a song. A world with no religion...how much better would it be!

Wednesday, February 08, 2006 9:07:00 pm  
Blogger James Waterton said...

"The leader of the Liberal Democrats in Russia, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, said that the publication of the offensive cartoons was a planned psyop on the part of the US and aimed to “provoke a row between Europe and the Islamic world”."

Bwhahahahhahahhahahhaa

What do you know about Vladimir Zhirinovsky, "Progressive Atheist"? Liberal Democrat he ain't. This is the man who once claimed that he dreamed of the day the Russian soldier would wash his boots in the Indian ocean. The man's a Russian nationalist and borderline fascist.

Just goes to show that a few seconds of Googling is no substitute for some deeper knowledge on one's source.

Thursday, February 09, 2006 5:25:00 am  
Blogger James Waterton said...

Addamo - you should know. Zhirinovsky is famous for his wacky conspiracy theories. Remember who he thinks sparked the riots in France? The man is a loon with a monstrous credibility gap. Thus, it's hilarious that "Progressive Atheist" would quote Zhirinovsky as a source. It's not quite as bad as saying "German Liberal Democrat Adolf Hitler commented that Antarctic Jews were firing lasers into the icecaps, causing a rise in sea levels" but it's not that far off, either.

Thursday, February 09, 2006 8:10:00 pm  

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