Cartoons attack religious traditions, beliefs
Mohammad I.Rajabally
THE portrayal of Prophet Muhammad in some cartoons has generated an avalanche of controversy and an outburst of rage and violence because it is at the core of two critical and highly philosophical elements of modern society.
On one hand, there is freedom of expression and on the other, there is religious sanctity.
Everyone knows how healthy freedom of expression is in a modern society such as ours. People have the right to express their opinion on any given issue, and anyone can agree or disagree in a civil manner.
It is the zenith of intellectual discourse, and it is such an environment that leads to academic excellence while keeping all channels of communication open.
More important still, freedom of expression is that unique window that allows us to peep into the mind of those who think differently from us and enable us to understand where they are coming from.
However, the same freedom of expression loses its nobility and "raison d'etre" and becomes like a knife (all blade and it bleeds the hand that handles it) when it derogatively and painfully invades the sacred territory of religious traditions and beliefs.
As a civilized society, we all have an ethical and moral responsibility not to ridicule, mock or belittle what people consider sacred to them. This duty of respecting the religious beliefs of others overrides the privilege of freedom of expression simply because human dignity and respect should be the rationale for all of our actions.
The liberal yet insensitive and inconsiderate passion of an artist to produce a work that will inflict deep wounds in the hearts and souls of millions of people across the globe can never be justified in the innocent name of freedom of expression.
The above position does not stand true for the religion of Islam alone but undisputedly for all other religions and traditions, as the following few examples clearly demonstrate.
It would be despicable and highly offensive for a cartoonist, anywhere in the world, to show a group of rabbis walking proudly in a Nazi parade.
Likewise it would be unthinkable, and way below the belt, for a cartoonist to show a group of Brahmans having roast beef for dinner.
Last but not least, it would be terribly insulting and unforgiving for any artist to show the Taliban being honored for blowing up the statue of Buddha in Afghanistan.
Those examples are above and beyond freedom of expression because such artistic expressions denigrate, dehumanize and deny the historical reality of such traditions and beliefs.
So is the personification of the Prophet Muhammad in the infamous cartoons. Such an act denigrates and dehumanizes all Muslims across the world, and it denies the historical reality of the life and mission of one of the mighty prophets of God.
Let us hope that, as a civilized society, our conscience will allow us to recognize the fine line of demarcation and keep the balance between expressing ourselves freely and at the same time avoid hurting and belittling people for what they believe. After all, the latter is beyond doubt an essential element of a decent, responsible democratic society. |
