2/14/06, Opinion-Editorial, printed in the Kalamazoo Gazette (Michigan)

(Printed in Kalamazoo Gazette (Michigan), February 14, 2006, as an Opinion-Editorial)

Dear Editor,

Thank you for not hurting the sensibilities of millions of Muslims by reprinting the offensive and provocative cartoons in your paper. Thank you for using your freedom of speech in a responsible manner. While we as Muslims are deeply hurt, we are also embarrassed by the foolish reaction of some ignorant Muslims who had been incited by their violent religious leaders or mullahs. Their behavior is totally against the teachings of the Quran and the conduct of our beloved prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.

Muslims around the world are burning flags, setting foreign embassies on fire and threatening more violence because they consider the printing of those cartoons blasphemy. This behavior is against the very definition of a Muslim. A Muslim is one who is at peace with him/herself and is at peace with all the creatures of the world. By definition, there should be no danger of any sort from a Muslim.

I'll mention one example of how Prophet Muhammad behaved when Abdullah bin Obeye bin Sulool blasphemed against Muhammad during his lifetime. Muhammad's companions became furious and offered to kill bin Sulool, but Prophet Muhammad forbade them. Then bin Sulool's own son, who was a Muslim, came forward an d sought permission to kill his father. He thought that the prophet probably did not allow anyone else to kill him because he might be hurt. But Muhammad forbade bin Sulool's son, also.  One of his companions, Hazrat Omar came forward and reminded prophet Muhammad of the Quranic verse telling him, "O prophet of God, don't you know that Allah has said that He will not forgive bin Sulool even if YOU seek forgiveness for him 72 times." Prophet Muhammad said, "Omar, I'll seek forgiveness for him more than 72 times." This was the noble character of the founder of Islam and his treatment of his enemies. He kept praying for his forgiveness. No violence can be attributed to him.

Thus, whereas on the one hand I request the free press to use its freedom responsibly, I also humbly urge my fellow Muslims to instead pray for those who hurt their sensibilities and work to conduct themselves in the true spirit of Islam and follow in the footsteps of its great founder, the prince of peace and educate your communities about his excellent character.

Sincerely,

Ayesha Mangla