Muslim reaction to the Danish cartoon controversies and other similar episodes raise questions on Muslim attitudes towards free speech. Should Muslims be more open and accepting of provocative material like the cartoons or is the outrage totally warranted? Many insiders and outsiders alike agree that Muslims should adapt to the concept of free speech, which would mean everything is open to be derided, mocked or satirized, while others are quick to disagree. Hamza Andreas Tzortzis examines Muslim reactions towards these controversies and offers a critique of the very notion of free speech, which, according to Hamza, is not without its own controversies.
Read the entire piece here.
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Mankind has been given certain “inalienable rights”–as the Amercian declaration of independence states. These are rights to freedom and equality for example. However, From the point of view of the Quran “rights” come with “responsibility”. Although the western idea of freedom of speach is good, it is incomplete without a commitment to responsibility. Freedom of speach can be used for the benefit of individuals and society—but speach that caused mischief or defamation is without benefit. Another point is —Mankind has been created with diversity. We are at different levels of progression. A standard that is good for one country may not apply to another country whose society may not have progressed as much. Such differences must be respected if we are all to live in a tolerant global society.
That’s a well-reasoned article. Even though it’s wrong in at places in details about facts (for example relating white supremacists with freedom of speech), it’s correct in principle.