Reject Freedom of Speech
Hamza Andreas Tzortzis
Hamza Andreas Tzortzis
Muslims have over a thousand years of scientific and intellectual progress. When Europe was in the ‘Dark Ages’ the Islamic society produced scholars that were to become the reference points for medicine, chemistry, mathematics, architecture and many other fields of science and engineering. According to historians of science, the Muslims were the cause for bringing Europe out of the darkness of ignorance. Robert Briffault in the "Making of Humanity" states the following:
"For Although there is not a single aspect of European growth in which the decisive influence of Islamic Culture is not traceable, nowhere is it so clear and momentous as in the genesis of that power which constitutes the permanent distinctive force of the modern world, and the supreme source of its victory, natural science and the scientific spirit.”
"The debt of our science to that of the Arabs does not consist in startling discoveries or revolutionary theories, science owes a great deal more to Arab culture, it owes its existence.”
Muslims are all for progress and development. Freedom of speech, however, is not a necessity for progress and development. This is an assumption based upon Europe’s historical struggle against the Church that prevented progress and investigation. Muslims do not have the same historical baggage.
Muslims reject freedom of speech in its pure meaning. This is not due to a backward mentality or a stubborn opposition to all things Western. Freedom of speech means the unrestricted expression of oneself. This however does not exist, can not exist and should not be imagined to exist.
Looking at freedom of speech in Western secular states the same is also true. There are many restrictions; for example there are hate speech laws, defamation laws, libel laws etc. In reality people can express themselves within the context of the law, and not with unrestricted freedom.
Furthermore, when Islam and Muslims are attacked under the banner of freedom of speech, a contradiction is highlighted. There are laws in place to prevent offending religious minorities such as the Jews. Taking the Danish cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad as an example, if the cartoons where of holocaust denial it would be against the law, or viewed as incisive. When it came to the Muslims it was a different story.
Even if one where to ignore the apparent contradictions, it can be argued that civilised society cannot engage with one another positively if one can say whatever they want. Initiating dialogue by abusing one another will not produce positive results!
Muslims and the book of the Muslims, the Qur’an, encourage thinking and debate. This is reflected in our history and scholarship. However, abuse and unrestricted forms of expression creates hatred and discourages true dialogue. This is aptly put by the Qur’an itself:
“Invite to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful speech; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious. For your Lord knows best who have strayed from His Path and who receive guidance.”(Qur'an chapter 16, verses 25)
“And insult not those whom they (disbelievers) worship besides Allah, lest they insult Allah wrongfully without knowledge. Thus We have made fair-seeming to each people its own doings; then to their Lord is their return and He shall then inform them of all that they used to do.” (Qur'an chapter 6, verses 108)
"For Although there is not a single aspect of European growth in which the decisive influence of Islamic Culture is not traceable, nowhere is it so clear and momentous as in the genesis of that power which constitutes the permanent distinctive force of the modern world, and the supreme source of its victory, natural science and the scientific spirit.”
"The debt of our science to that of the Arabs does not consist in startling discoveries or revolutionary theories, science owes a great deal more to Arab culture, it owes its existence.”
Muslims are all for progress and development. Freedom of speech, however, is not a necessity for progress and development. This is an assumption based upon Europe’s historical struggle against the Church that prevented progress and investigation. Muslims do not have the same historical baggage.
Muslims reject freedom of speech in its pure meaning. This is not due to a backward mentality or a stubborn opposition to all things Western. Freedom of speech means the unrestricted expression of oneself. This however does not exist, can not exist and should not be imagined to exist.
Looking at freedom of speech in Western secular states the same is also true. There are many restrictions; for example there are hate speech laws, defamation laws, libel laws etc. In reality people can express themselves within the context of the law, and not with unrestricted freedom.
Furthermore, when Islam and Muslims are attacked under the banner of freedom of speech, a contradiction is highlighted. There are laws in place to prevent offending religious minorities such as the Jews. Taking the Danish cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad as an example, if the cartoons where of holocaust denial it would be against the law, or viewed as incisive. When it came to the Muslims it was a different story.
Even if one where to ignore the apparent contradictions, it can be argued that civilised society cannot engage with one another positively if one can say whatever they want. Initiating dialogue by abusing one another will not produce positive results!
Muslims and the book of the Muslims, the Qur’an, encourage thinking and debate. This is reflected in our history and scholarship. However, abuse and unrestricted forms of expression creates hatred and discourages true dialogue. This is aptly put by the Qur’an itself:
“Invite to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful speech; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious. For your Lord knows best who have strayed from His Path and who receive guidance.”(Qur'an chapter 16, verses 25)
“And insult not those whom they (disbelievers) worship besides Allah, lest they insult Allah wrongfully without knowledge. Thus We have made fair-seeming to each people its own doings; then to their Lord is their return and He shall then inform them of all that they used to do.” (Qur'an chapter 6, verses 108)
No comments:
Post a Comment