President of Muslim Students Association
University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign
Why We Are Opposed to the Reprinting of the Cartoons
Take on the Reactions Abroad
Related Point on Islamophobia
The Public Has a Right to Know
Freedom of Speech and Open Dialogue Are Virtues
We do not Expect the Media to Follow Islamic Law
Support of Liberal Education
Approach with the Editors at the Daily Illini
Muslims’ Peaceful Initiatives Should Also Get Press Coverage
Did Something Good Come of the Cartoon Reprinting?
A Common Platform for Combating Offensive Attacks Against Christianity, Judaism, and Others
Why We Are Opposed to the Reprinting of the Cartoons
1) The hateful nature of the depictions and the fact that they supposedly depict the most important figure in Islam reaffirms the widespread misconception that Islam and its Prophet, Muhammad, propagated terrorism and womanizing.
2) The reprinting indicates that people are insensitive towards Muslims and thus Islamophobia is rampant.
The reprinting of the cartoons is just one facet of the greater problem of Islamophobia.
The key here is that journalists know that there is widespread misunderstanding about Islam, which leads to hate crimes and unfair policies directed towards Muslims.
Unfortunately, it is widely accepted that Muslims should be profiled, that the FBI and CIA can be overzealous in their targeting of Muslims in the War on Terror, and that the propagation of misconceptions that result in hate crimes against Muslims should receive no more than a lukewarm, lackluster response.
To reprint cartoons that depict the most important figure in Islam as a terrorist, in this context, only further promotes such policies and misdirected hatred based on stereotypes. Such action reflects irresponsible journalism and exceeds the bounds of human decency.
3) The negative repercussions, including effects of subsequent hate mail and harassment, are are irreversible.
4) The reasoning used by two editors at the Daily Illini was illogical.
They say they reprinted them so that people would understand what all the riots are about abroad. However, there is no conceivable way a cartoon could prompt riots. They are unjustifiable. Thus, rather than promote understanding, the reprinting promoted the incorrect stereotype that ALL Muslims are irrational and violent.
My Take on the Reactions Abroad
I condemn the violent protests abroad and am saddened by their harm to humanity. Some Muslims claim
The fact that I am asked about my view on the violence abroad, even by people who know me personally to be a peaceful person, indicates a great misconception and underlying phobia. It should be assumed that I, as one who submits to God and follows the peaceful religion of Islam, would condemn such violence. While questioning my views on the violence is insulting, I realize that the inquiries are not ill intentioned but result from widespread misconceptions.
The Public Has a Right to Know
I am not arguing that the public does not have a right to know what was published in the Danish newspaper. Rather, the cartoons could have been described in words. While one may argue that the actual cartoons more effectively convey their offensive nature than a description would, that reasoning could not possibly justify imposing the repercussions that would likely ensue on the aggrieved.
