2/14/06, Letter to the Editor, printed in the Frederick News-Post (Virginia)

(Printed in Frederick News Post (Virginia), February 14, 2006, in response to Danish cartoon controversy)

“Local Muslim comments on cartoon controversy”
 
As a Muslim, it is my responsibility to defend the honor of what is holy in Islam. As an American Muslim, I am not taken to burning embassies or flags of other countries; instead, I will exercise my freedom of speech on the recent cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him).

It would be naive to say that the cartoonist did not intend to insult Muslims while giving his view on terrorism. Was the cartoonist within his rights given the state of Muslim/Western relations and the results the cartoons would surely produce? It is an American who once told us freedom of speech does not mean you can shout "Fire!" in a crowded theatre. Why does this common sense not apply today?

According to Islam, the sanctity of creating or representing human life is meant only for God. In addition, artistic images of people are forbidden because of the human tendency to worship these images.

More importantly, Muslims hold profound love for this gentle, wise, perfect and just Prophet because of the gift of his life's example.

Imagine, then, our feelings even to hear that someone has depicted Muhammad (peace be upon him) telling would-be bombers that heaven is all out of virgins. Adding to the injury, the cartoonist had displayed his own absolute ignorance of the Quranic teachings on martyrdom and Paradise.

It is an act of prejudice against billions of Muslims worldwide that has most unfortunately driven the gap between East and West even wider. And in this age of uncertainty, terrorism and war, that is a display of irresponsibility, not freedom of the press, on the part of the European newspapers.

Sincerely,

Ruqaiya Asad