The presence of the concept of freedom of speech, which Muslims respect and value, and the concept of respecting and honoring Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) in Islam are often misunderstood by the West and the Islamic world. Muslims’ misunderstanding of the concept of freedom of speech, often due to the poor quality of its practical application, and Western civilizations’ lack of ability to value honoring Prophet Mohammed are currently causing tensions among Muslims and non-Muslims. We ask ourselves, how do we work together to bring about a solution and ease tension?
It is important to understand that Muslims do not desire to eliminate freedom of speech; instead, we wish for the West to alter this concept, as it has been done in other cases, so it does not conflict with the Muslim value of honoring and respecting our beloved prophet (pbuh). Muslims do not believe the problem is freedom of speech; instead, it is the double standard that is often associated with this concept. Islamic values are just as important as any other religion’s values; therefore, they should be dealt with in the same manner. How else do we wish to live together as neighbors and friends, as humans on this Earth struggling to make a living based on our beliefs?
The West understands freedom of speech, which Muslims appreciate, but does not understand Islamic values. The West should take it as a challenge to understand Islam and Muslims just as Muslims should take it upon themselves to better understand the concept of freedom of speech.
People here in the West cannot comprehend how much Muslims love Prophet Mohammed (pbuh). He is dearer to us Muslims than our parents, than our children, than our grandchildren, than our money, than our own selves. Ask any Muslim, religious or not, “What does Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) mean to you?” and you will see what I mean. If the West understood this, what happened would never have been accepted. The West needs to understand our love for Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) and respect it and all other Islamic concepts if it truly wants to destroy misunderstandings between Muslims and non-Muslims. Contrary to what many believe, we will never force anyone to accept our beliefs, but we will firmly ask for respect and will take actions to ensure we are respected, as would any other group of people.
Again, the message is that freedom of speech should be modified so that it does not clash with the values of over 1.3 billion Muslims — just like it has been altered in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Poland and other places, where denying the Holocaust is a crime. We see current examples such as British Historian David Irving, who was sentenced to 3 years in prison in Austria for refuting the existence of the Holocaust. Also, in 2003 a French court jailed Jean Plantin for publishing works that called into question the scope of the Holocaust.
Surprisingly, Flemming Rose, the editor who first published the cartoons of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), was sent on indefinite leave one day after he told CNN he would consider publishing Holocaust cartoons. I do not wish to argue whether there is “absolute” free speech or not, but I wish to clarify the message: Free speech should be altered so that sacred Muslim values are respected and not attacked. From the examples above we see double standards that are unacceptable to Muslims and should also be unacceptable to any reasonable non-Muslim.
What we want is clear, effective actions that display the Western respect for Islamic values and ideals, such as honoring the prophet (pbuh), and we wish to be guaranteed that this type of hate will never again be spread under the false pretext of “freedom of speech.”
Let me make it clear that we do not want superficial apologies that are not as deep as our wounds. We want effective actions and will not stop our protests or boycotts until our prophet (pbuh) regains the dignity he deserves as our great leader. If you doubt his personality or his character, I challenge you to learn about him (pbuh), and I guarantee you that you will realize why Muslims love and revere this great prophet (pbuh).
Farhad Noorzay is a member of the Muslim Student Association at UCSD.