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Opinion

Can justice be found in toon riots?

Fariha Tayyab
Opinion Columnist

Many people have passed judgment about Islamic culture in the aftermath of "Islamic riots" that took place in retaliation to the publication of the Prophet Muhammad cartoons.

The cartoons originated in Denmark and continued to be reproduced throughout Europe. Some were considered innocent by displaying the Prophet with a star and crescent. Others displayed utter disrespect by portraying the Prophet as a bomb harbor or by depicting him as a womanizer. It seems that society has blown this further out of proportion than anticipated by the European journalists. 

Islam, the religion of peace and submission, does not put up with intolerance by any means. In regard to establishing justice, Muhammad states, "Anyone of you who sees wrong, let him undo it with his hand; and if he cannot, then let him speak against it with his tongue, and if he cannot do this either, then (let him abhor it) with his heart, and this is the least of faith."

If a Muslim is to live by these words, he or she should stand up against injustice regardless of his or her faith, race, status, etc.

To some, producing anti-Muhammad cartoons may not seem like a big deal, since cartoons produced by everyone, including Muslims, have always mocked leaders of religious groups as well as nations. However, according to Islamic text, Muhammad should not be depicted in any form. The first fault of the cartoonists is the blasphemous mocking of the founder of the fastest growing religion in the world. 

The Quran states, "Muhammad is the messenger to Allah." Therefore, this distinguishes him from the leader of any nation, group or religion of our time by far, and for someone to insult God's messenger and deem it as free and open speech is considered a heinous crime to the Muslim world.

Islamaphobia has increased in the 21st century, and the suspected link between the Muslim world and terrorists is now greater than ever. The depiction of Muhammad as a villain carrying a bomb in his turban should be considered disrespectful. 

Muslims in European nations already feel like second-class citizens when denied equal rights and are often discriminated against by locals. 

Tension has been building for quite some time in the Muslim European community with the war on terrorism in the Middle East and the infringement on civil liberties taking place in Western Europe. For example, in France, there was a hijab ban enacted a year and a half ago as well as similar measures followed in other Western European nations.

Another great frustration is what many Muslims deem as an uncalled-for war in Iraq and the possible plethora of deaths of innocent civilians in neighboring nations for a cause that isn't properly defined. 

People often say Muslims are becoming too rowdy and tend to act hypocritically even though through their media streams, other religious and national leaders are mocked. To this, nothing can be said except that Muslims mocking others is a sign of hypocrisy and should not be committed, but rather stopped as urged previously in a saying of Muhammad. 

Many Muslims in this country don't agree with the irrational and somewhat radical behavior of those in the Middle East and Europe but instead feel the situation should be dealt with in a more composed and beneficial manner, as Islam teaches.

The Muslim protestors may have crossed the line, as religious figures stepped on and burned flags and embassies and buildings were raided and knocked down, but their anger has been built up for too long. 

This cartoon seems to have been the match waiting to spark Muslim emotion. But such acts, according to Islamic teachings, are unjustifiable.

On the other hand, actions such as trade embargoes, awareness speeches and non-violent protests, as implemented by many other leaders and nations in the last few weeks, were the more mature way to react. 

In the 19th century, French scholar Lamartine wrote, "Philosopher, orator, apostle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational dogmas, of a cult without images, the founder of 20 terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire -- that is Muhammad. As regards all standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, is there any man greater than he?"

So the central question arises: How could such injustice toward one of the greatest men to walk the earth and the leader of the second largest faith in the world -- as well as any other messenger of God, for that matter -- ever be acceptable?

Tayyab, an opinion columnist for The Daily Cougar, 
can be reached at fttayab@uh.edu.