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Tag: Charlie Hebdo

  • No Contradictions In Condemning Charlie Hebdo Murders And Cartoons

    No Contradictions In Condemning Charlie Hebdo Murders And Cartoons

    I am surprised the report “Latest Charlie Hebdo cover continues to roil Muslim world” (Jan 18, online) asserts that the reaction across the Muslim world was “somewhat contradictory” because Muslims in general condemned both the murders and the cartoons.

    There is no contradiction. Condemning the murders is a non-issue, as no sane person would justify such actions, yet it does not mean we must agree with the cartoonists’ actions.

    This is not a black-and-white issue; there is room for a nuanced view, which is the position of most Muslims. Killing is unacceptable; so is mocking the faiths of others. Instead of being contradictory, this position is the closest to justice.

    The two acts are not equal, no doubt, but neither are both moral. Thankfully, most Singaporeans have never believed in unlimited free speech, especially when it comes to denigrating religion.

    Most humans accept that it is vile and vulgar to insult another person’s parents. It would perhaps be instructive to state that Muslims consider our Prophet to be dearer to us than our parents.

    So, it is unreasonable to expect us to be comfortable with others mocking him in the name of freedom and satire. Even if we believe in complete freedom of speech, including the freedom to offend, there is no need to laud the people of Charlie Hebdo as martyrs, heroes or the saving grace of humanity, as some have done.

    People who believe in complete free speech should defend their right to say what they want without defending what is said, or worse, elevating it to an undeserved status.

    They may have a right to say what they want, considering the boundaries French society has set for itself, but that does not make them good humans. Many others have the same right, yet choose to exercise the right to respect, not offend.

     

    Source: Walid Jumblatt Abdullah at www.todayonline.com

  • French Prime Minister: Country Has To Examine Geographical, Social And Ethnic Apartheid

    French Prime Minister: Country Has To Examine Geographical, Social And Ethnic Apartheid

    PARIS – Deadly shootings by homegrown Islamists have cast a light on France’s “geographical, social and ethnic apartheid”, Prime Minister Manuel Valls said on Tuesday in one of the starkest indictments of French society by a government figure.

    The Jan. 7-9 attacks on satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish supermarket in Paris have plunged France into a soul- searching debate to assess how the three gunmen were radicalized and how to prevent a repeat of violence that claimed 17 victims.

    “These last few days have underscored a lot of evil that is gnawing at our country and challenges we must be equal to,” Valls said at a New Year’s address to the media.

    “We have to look at all the divisions, the tensions that have been going on for years … the neglect of the suburbs, the ghettos, the social misery,” he said. “A geographical, social and ethnic apartheid has established itself in our country.”

    Run-down neighborhoods ring many French cities, often populated by poor whites, blacks and people of North African descent who feel marginalized from mainstream society. Yet it is rare for a French leader, even from the ruling Socialists, to paint a picture of inequality in such strong terms.

    The three killers were of Algerian and African descent, prompting some in the National Front to push their calls for less immigration – an argument the government has rejected.

    Riots erupted across many of France’s powder-keg suburbs in 2005 and have shaken depressed districts at regular intervals in the past decade.

    The unrest is often blamed on a combination of unemployment rates in such zones as high as 40 percent, racial discrimination and perceived hostile policing.

    The government is due to unveil proposals this week looking at issues from security to education and urban policy.

    While politicians from all governing parties have vowed to tackle the problems over the last 30 years, the failure of such efforts has left a growing sense of desperation and isolation that has fueled radicalization.

    “Reforming means fighting relentlessly against the inequalities,” Valls said. “We have to battle each day this terrible feeling that there are second class citizens or some people that are more import than others.”

     

    Source: www.todayonline.com

  • Maidin Packer: Ignore Charlie Hebdo Cartoons As They Are Not That Of Prophet Muhammad

    Maidin Packer: Ignore Charlie Hebdo Cartoons As They Are Not That Of Prophet Muhammad

    Cut out the unnecessary riff-raff in our lives…

    Dear Brothers and Sisters. Charlie Habdo published more than a million cartoons of what they called Prophet Muhammad. Do you believe the cartoons are of our Prophet? The answer is No!!! You cannot draw a cartoon of a person you have never seen. What is drawn by those people whose aim is to frustrate a billion Muslims in the name of freedom of media, is not but an element of provocation. The best advice to all Muslims is: IGNORE the cartoons; they are not of our Prophet.

    What is the best way forward? Please practice the following:
    1. Never look at those cartoons.
    2. Never forward the cartoon to anybody by email, whatsapp, etc.
    3. Keep your frustration in your heart.
    4. Follow the way of good Muslims. Never frustrate people of other religions.
    5. Always remember – Islam is a religion of peace; so promote peace.
    6. Contribute more to Islamic dakwah (walaw karihal kaafiruun)
    7. Our best weapon – the truth & good manners so as to attract others to Islam.

    Whenever the prophet (SAW) was called by different names, he ignored them & say it doesnt befit him. “I am not that which they are naming me with, for I am Muhammad ibn Abdullah.”

     

    Source: Maidin Packer

  • MUIS Dan PERGAS: Nabi Muhammad SAW Harus Dijadikan Kayu Ukur Dalam Reaksi Kepada Insiden Charlie Hebdo

    MUIS Dan PERGAS: Nabi Muhammad SAW Harus Dijadikan Kayu Ukur Dalam Reaksi Kepada Insiden Charlie Hebdo

    PEMERINTAH tidak akan membenarkan pengedaran penerbitan yang memaparkan karikatur Nabi Muhammad saw seperti yang dilakukan malajah satira mingguan, Charlie Hebdo, mahupun apa sahaja kandungan sensitif dari segi agama.

    Ini ditegaskan Penguasa Pembangunan Media (MDA).

    Dalam pada itu, Menteri Bertanggungjawab bagi E`hwal Masyarakat Islam, semasa bertemu media Jumaat lalu, akur bahawa umumnya masyarakat Islam setempat berasa tersinggung dengan tindakan majalah Charlie Hebdo, namun mereka memahami perlunya bertindak secara rasional.

    Sehubungan dengan itu, Pejabat Mufti dan Persatuan Ulama dan Guru-Guru Agama Islam Singapura (Pergas) turut suarakan rasa kesal terhadap tindakan mempersenda agama, namun mengingatkan umat Islam agar dalam memberikan reaksi kepada insiden Charlie Hebdo, Rasulullah saw semestinya menjadi kayu ukur kita.

    Rasulullah ketika dikasari membalasnya dengan hemah dan berhikmah sehingga beliau dihormati.

     

    Source: http://beritaharian.sg

  • Yaacob Ibrahim: No Such Thing As Freedom Of Expression Without Limits

    Yaacob Ibrahim: No Such Thing As Freedom Of Expression Without Limits

    Communications and Information Minister Yaacob Ibrahim said he appreciates a decision by a local printer of The Economist not to reproduce a page with the latest cover of the Charlie Hebdo magazine depicting the Prophet Mohammed.

    “We have no doubt that there’s no such thing as freedom of expression without limits. As I have said before, the right to speak freely and responsibly must come together,” Dr Yaacob said to the media on the sidelines of the JFDI.Asia Demo Day on Friday (Jan 16),

    Dr Yaacob, who is also Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs said the circulation of the cartoons will not be allowed in Singapore. He later posted on Facebook that “there are longstanding laws against causing offence to our races and religions” in Singapore.

    The page in the Singapore edition of The Economist was replaced with a statement informing readers that the magazine’s “Singapore printers” declined to print it. The magazine hit local newsstands on Friday.

    “I think Singaporeans understand the sensitivities and we must continue to protect our racial, religious harmony. So I appreciate the sensitivities shown by the printer and I commend them for the decision,” said Dr Yaacob.

    “All in all, it’s been a good outcome for us, because people understand that we must continue to work together to preserve the racial and religious harmony in Singapore,” he added.

    Dr Yaacob said the Malay/Muslim community is “by and large offended” by the latest Charlie Hebdo cover. “But I think they also understood that we need to act rationally and I am quite impressed at how the community has come together to respond to this particular episode,” he said.

    “But at the same time, we recognise that this may not be the last time that it will happen and we have continued to build up our resilience. And on our part we should also continue to try and spread the message of peace and tolerance across all communities here in Singapore.”

     

    Source: www.channelnewsasia.com