http://www.muslimdebate.org/current-affairs/37-muslim-protests-free-speech
Muslim Protests & Free Speech
Details Category: Current Affairs Published on Wednesday, 19 September 2012 03:41 Written by Sami Zaatari
Over the past week protests have erupted across the Muslim world over an inflammatory video against Islam. Some of the protests have ended up in violence, with American embassies and consulates being attacked, and diplomats being killed. It goes without saying, the violent outbursts we have seen does no good to the Muslim cause, such outbursts only continue to feed the propaganda purpose of the very same people who make such inflammatory material.
Through the midst of the protests and violence the issue of free speech has been brought up again. Yet again we are told, that free speech is a very important corner stone of western society, and though certain types of free speech are deplorable, it must be protected at all costs.
Now lets make one thing clear, this has absolutely nothing to do with free speech, it seems that whenever Muslims are on the shoe end of getting ridiculed, mocked, or insulted, free speech is always used as the excuse.
In fact one can easily prove that this has nothing to do with free speech, take the holocaust for example. It is a fact of life, that in several European countries, holocaust denial is illegal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laws_against_Holocaust_denial#By_country), so for the sake of argument, say you decided to publish an article, or make a speech, denying the evidence of the holocaust, and laying out your own arguments for why such an event never took place, you would either be arrested, fined, or deported. Whatever happened to freedom of speech? Yes, it is deplorable to deny an event such as the holocaust, but the person doing so isnt harming anyone, at least in the physical sense, nor is the person advocating violence in denying such an event, yet such speech is automatically stamped out and declared as illegal.
Now let me just make it clear, Im not advocating holocaust denial, Im merely pointing out the clear and blatant inconsistency. We are told that free speech is a must, yet in this case, free speech is being banned when it comes to this related topic, so obviously this has nothing to do with free speech.
Not only is holocaust denial a crime in some European states, but if one were to engage in publishing cartoons regarding the holocaust, much like Iran did a few years back (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Holocaust_Cartoon_Competition#Reaction_outside_of_Iran), you would also be prosecuted for anti-Semitism. Now again, Im not advocating such cartoons, Im merely pointing out the double standards.
In a recent example of double standards concerning freedom of speech, the governor of California signed a law that restricts the rights of people to protest at funerals (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/18/westboro-jerry-brown_n_1893849.html), the law is obviously aimed at the likes of the Westboro Baptist Church, which is well known for protesting at soldiers funerals with their offensive banners and signs. Now again, as despicable as it may seem, protesting at a funeral, is someones free speech right, but why is it that in this case, the persons free speech is limited? Where is the consistency? We are told again and again that freedom of speech protects even the deplorable, yet in this case, deplorable free speech and the right to protest, is being denied, why the inconsistency?
When it comes down to it, this really has nothing to do with freedom of speech, the main purpose behind such films and cartoons aimed at Muslims and their faith, is to cause a backlash, and a provocation. There is no teaching or lesson that is trying to be conveyed by those producing such films or cartoons, the message that is being sent is simple: We are doing this for the sake of offending you, as well as to provoke you.
The Muslim community must also wise up, Muslims need to stop taking the bait, although it must also be said that those who have resorted to violence have been a miniscule minority that doesnt even compromise 0.00001% of the Muslim community, but having said that, they will be the ones who get the most attention.
