×

Freedom of speech

The loss of human life caused by a natural calamity can only melt the human heart and draw sympathy. As member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, my prayers go out to the victims of the deadly earthquake in Italy.

Many Western countries have become a melting pot for free exchange of original ideas, a hallmark of a civil and balanced society. However, there are those that upset this balance such as Charlie Hebdo, a French satirical magazine. In their latest debacle, a cartoon depicting Italy’s earthquake victims stacked up as lasagna, to say they have gone overboard is an understatement.

Using freedom of speech as an excuse, this magazine has managed to ostracize itself from some of its staunch supporters who had previously stood by them for drawing disrespectful cartoons of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

The question is, is freedom of speech a license to insult and offend at one’s discretion?

Islam condemns such practice as the Holy Quran exhorts to refrain from even disrespecting deities and personalities of other beliefs (6:109), let alone mocking their dead or killing them (such as the Charlie Hebdo shooting).

Freedom of speech

The loss of human life caused by a natural calamity can only melt the human heart and draw sympathy. As a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, my prayers go out to the victims of the deadly earthquake in Italy.

Many Western countries have become a melting pot for free exchange of original ideas, a hallmark of a civil and balanced society. However, there are those that upset this balance such as Charlie Hebdo, a French satirical magazine. In their latest debacle, a cartoon depicting Italy’s earthquake victims stacked up as lasagna, to say they have gone overboard is an understatement.

Using freedom of speech as an excuse, this magazine has managed to ostracize itself from some of its staunch supporters who had previously stood by them for drawing disrespectful cartoons of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

The question is, is freedom of speech a license to insult and offend at one’s discretion?

Islam condemns such practice as the Holy Quran exhorts to refrain from even disrespecting deities and personalities of other beliefs (6:109), let alone mocking their dead or killing them (such as the Charlie Hebdo shooting).

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $3.69/week.

Subscribe Today