From a Muslim source:
Hazrat Peer Alauddin Siddiqui, who is a renowned Sufi scholar, told Geo News: “Thousands have come together to show peacefully to the western world that the production and promotion of a recent film insulting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has caused hurt to Muslims all over the world. We are a peaceful community and we will do everything to protect peace and respect for all on equal basis. It’s not fair that some people insult Islam everyday and preach hatred through their actions and words but the lack of legislation encourages such elements. We want to tell our government that we welcome debate and constructive criticism of our religion but insults are unacceptable and inflammatory language is contributing to the rise of extremism amongst youth in western countries where youth mistakenly believe that the West hates Islam and Muslims.”
And what in the world would make people think the West hates Islam? I mean what could possibly have triggered such a notion? All those terrorist attacks and the corresponding hateful reaction to innocent people being killed? Couldn't possible have any connection! People love Islam in the West. Don't pay any attention to all those nasty comments on blogs and newspaper articles.
If these youth, with their mammoth grievance complex, can be stoked into action through inflammatory language, inflammatory language is not the problem.
Grown-ups with a mature sense of the world don't undertake to blow people up to settle the score and advance their point of view.
Instead of rallying for laws against insulting speech-- which are really just a means of advancing sharia-- why not rally to condemn this psychological bobo that makes people feel entitled to kill?
Well the answer is there, isn't it? Because that doesn't advance sharia.
Here in the West, people have the freedom to say what they think, and if they don't, they should. Full stop. Your feelings are hurt? Suck it up like the rest of us. Yes, it's fair, because nobody is legally entitled to not having their feelings hurt. Don't like it? There are plenty of countries in the world who will accommodate your religious sensibilities.
Speakers said that freedom of speech was a cherished value but abusing Islam is not freedom of speech.
Yes it is. People have a right to say what they think. Period.
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UPDATE: Amended the first title. Didn't like it. :)
