Tuesday, February 07, 2006
The Definition of "Freedom of the Press" is Not Supposed to be "Stupidity"!
Mr. Abrams, in this article, is suggesting that cartoons are simply "...unrealistic one-dimensional portrayals..." of political or social situations. I agree that caricatures have their place in society, as does freedom of the press, however, as an American Muslim convert I am wondering that no one has mentioned that perhaps a better time to ridicule a religion (that, frankly, the cartoonists know nothing about), is during a time when that religion is not already under fire in the media. The cartoons portray Islam as being something that it is not. I am not a terrorist, thank you very much, nor are Muslims, in general. Prophet Mohamed (pbuh) was actually more peaceful than he is given credit (most people read a biased history, which is written from a Western rather than an Eastern standpoint).
I don't believe in violence, but I am sure that I do not completely blame those who are "losing their cool" over this issue. The Middle East and Muslims (Islam, to be exact) have been abused due to a lack of understanding (terrorists are not true Muslims, they are zealots with weapons). President Bush's conquest of the Middle East which he calls a "war on terrorism" hasn't helped matters at all. Middle Eastern economies are awful. I lived in Egypt on a typical Egyptian's salary, so I've seen the Middle East from the standpoint of the Middle Eastern native. Most feel that their very own governments are oppressive at best, they don't need Europe and North American media beating them down further. They need a leg up, not a push over the edge!
I don't believe in violence, but I am sure that I do not completely blame those who are "losing their cool" over this issue. The Middle East and Muslims (Islam, to be exact) have been abused due to a lack of understanding (terrorists are not true Muslims, they are zealots with weapons). President Bush's conquest of the Middle East which he calls a "war on terrorism" hasn't helped matters at all. Middle Eastern economies are awful. I lived in Egypt on a typical Egyptian's salary, so I've seen the Middle East from the standpoint of the Middle Eastern native. Most feel that their very own governments are oppressive at best, they don't need Europe and North American media beating them down further. They need a leg up, not a push over the edge!
