SHAFAQNA PAKISTAN (Shia News Agency)
S: How predictable. Look at them, defenders of the faith, taking out charged rallies against Charlie Hebdo for publishing blasphemous cartoons. The outrage, the slogans –where was all this when APS Peshawar happened?
A: They are religious parties, Sadiq. And blasphemy is a religious issue, at least according to them. You can’t have a problem with them expressing their opinion, be it through a press conference or a million-strong public rally.
S: I didn’t say that they should not be allowed to express their views. I’m just saying that their views are stupid and hypocritical.
A: You think opposing Charlie Hebdo’s blasphemous caricatures is stupid? They are overtly blasphemous, even racist sometimes, if you ask me. And if they offend me, as a Muslim, I think I reserve the right to make my displeasure known.
S: Of course, you do. You have the right to exercise free speech to attack free speech. You have the right to freely express yourself to curb free expression. But don’t ask me to respect it or be understanding. It’s a cliché so you must be familiar with it: offence is taken, not given. Do you not offend the one billion Hindus when you proclaim that there is only one God? All religions blaspheme against each other by merely existing.
A: Ah, so you want our friends in Jamat-e-Islami (JI) to take out rallies in support of Charlie Hebdo, laud the magazines intellectual freedom and satirical valour and perhaps even pitch a couple of ideas of their own? French cartoonists can draw whatever they like. I don’t exactly agree with that, but fine, they can do that. But, don’t expect us Muslims to like it or agree with their content! I really don’t see what good that kind of satire does for anyone. You’ve offended more than a billion people for nothing. Well done, here’s your trophy.
S: And two zealots entered your office and shot you dead. Billions around the world deemed it to be a just response, especially Muslims. That is why I believe that that kind of satire is important. Charlie Hebdo spares no one, no religion, no political entity. But no one picked up a gun and started shooting at them. I think they should keep blaspheming until people of faith understand that they are not special, that they are not immune and that they will have to tolerate free speech. Will JI condemn hate speech against Ahmadis? Never. Will it oppose the mullahs who preach hate against people of other sects or religions? Of course not. But, Charlie Hebdo publishes a cartoon? Sure, let’s go out, pity ourselves and feel relevant.
pakistan.shafaqna.com
