Nagpur: Muslims intellectuals and scholars have condemned the French cartoon controversy and beheading of an art teacher in Paris, saying there can be no justification for killing and the holy Koran doesn’t endorse such acts by its followers. At the same time, they said religious sensibilities must not be abused and insulted in the name of freedom of speech.
Majid Parekh, regional secretary, Society for Communal Harmony, said both incidents threaten to divide the world. “The Koran categorically admonishes any act of deriding or defaming any community or person. They are evil doers who deride or defame another community or person as per the Koran (49/11).”
He added that every reaction is the result of an action. “Last verses of Chapter 15 in Koran say ‘We know that your bosom is constricted by their blasphemous act and those who ridicule scriptures such as Old and New Testaments, Psalms, Torah, Evangel; surely such people will be called to their account for their insolence. Therefore, gracefully ignore such blasphemous acts since negativities can never be repelled by the negative itself’.
In the light of these admonitions, both the acts are to be strictly condemned, said Parekh, adding, “The concerned government should take care such acts are not repeated in future.”
Hamid Qureshi, secretary of Jamiat Islahul Muslemeen, said the French people, and specially its president, seem to assert that they have a right to offend and insult others’ icons as their birthright. “It is cynical,” he said.
Qureshi said, “There can never be justification for killing. Koran does not approve it. This is not the way to respond to such acts as per sunnah of the Prophet. As per news reports, Muslims students and parents had complained to the principal. Yet, the same drawing teacher repeated the act, causing provocation.”
Qureshi and Parekh also asked why only the Prophet is targeted every time? “They will never dare to behave in same way, though equally condemnable, with other religious figures,” Qureshi said.
Lawyer Firdos Mirza said the life of Holy Prophet is full of instances when he was insulted or physically attacked but there is no example while he retaliated with violence in revenge. “To the contrary, he forgave entire citizenry of Mecca, who earlier compelled him to migrate. The act of publication of his caricature is indeed a heinous action of spreading hate against Muslims and provocating them. But the followers of Prophet must keep in mind that there is no space for violence or revenge in his teachings.”
Former director at Archaeological Survey of India GS Khwaja said ‘Ishq-e-Rasool’ needs tolerance. “Followers of Muhammad should reflect on Huzur’s ‘sabr’ (tolerance) and ‘darguzar’ (pardon). The blasphemy is a condemnable act, but in the name of Prophet’s love over-enthusiasts are tarnishing Islam’s image.”
Khwaja suspects that it was a conspiracy as it all happened on the eve of Prophet’s birth anniversary.
Former PCCF (HOFF) SWH Naqvi said while the Prophet was alive, he was subjected to slander, ridicule and all sorts of abuses. “He responded with peace and forgiveness,” he said.