Haris Sheikh....Director/Producer
Here is perspective, what I observe and learn while producing this documentary over the last four years.
Blasphemy and publishing of these cartoons in Denmark and Muslim's violent outrage are not just a religious and freedom of speech issue.
Blasphemy is an act of offending any sacred entity or issue. But , unfortunately every religion is somehow blasphemy to the other. Being a Muslim, one must believe Jesus Christ as the Prophet of Allah. However that might be blasphemy to Christians ; who believe Jesus the Christ as the son of the god. That is same with the statutes of Hindu gods and goddesses to the Muslims.
So what is the main issue?
Honestly for me, the issue is only about tolerance and respect to cultural and religious symbols of others and that can only heal the wounds of blasphemy .
Now lets talk about the sacred slogan of freedom of expression in the West. I believe it as the core value of every noble society.
However, no one can justify the senseless acts of cultural and religious humiliation on the name of freedom of speech!
When a cartoonist joke around a religious symbol of 1.6 Billion people posing him as a 'Terrorist’. When Talibans raze the historic Buddha’s statutes in Bayman, Afghanistan and burn girl's schools in Pakistan is equivalent ,to when Neo-Nazis Nationalist raze Jewish and Muslim's cemeteries in France .
It seems, offenders on both extremes hide behind the curtain of their right of expression and dupe the majority (non-violent) as saving and fighting for their cultural/religious rights .
Truth is that both are criminals and wine the blood of weaker groups .What at stake is none other than tolerance and the common sense.
Lets do a survey in Wild west and Taliban's valleys, not a Gallup's one but a simple.
If there is a fire next door, would you ignite a barbeque. Though barbequing is the most common popular past time in the Wild West and the rigid Talibans valleys. Ninty nine will go for a NO. Rest are frankly just insane.
Fact is simple, Muslims are sensitive for their religious rights as are Jews and Homosexuals , Blacks and Feminists and others for their human rights.
Only a little perspective can lead all of us to a peaceful life on this global village of diverse postal codes!
I have try to discovered mine, now its your turn to google the GPS.
Rest of story next time..
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