Friday, February 03, 2006

Come and Get Me Islamic Extremists

As a service to free speech, dcat presents the following images, via Seb's Blag:






By the way, I think Seb (whom I do not know, to my knowledge) sums it up pretty well: "Personally, I'm sick to death of seeing rampant militant Islamic extremists hijacking the headlines. Tolerant Muslims, I have all day for. Extremists can fuck off."


UPDATE: Fellow dcatter Roger writes something in the comments and contributes a link that deserves amplification:


I've come across this site, which is an archive of depictions of the prophet over the past several centuries, including the recent cartoons. It is interesting that cartoons depicting the prophet published over in recent years have not drawn anything like these protests, until such images are published as a deliberate defense (spelled right just for you dcat!) of freedom of speech and expression.

6 comments:

dcat said...

Thanks Roger -- i think the link and your comments are important enough that I added an update with them on the main entry.

Good to hear that you are still alive (and spelling properly).

dcat

person said...

As Muslims we are required to respect all religions, be it people who are Christians, Jewish, Hindu e.tc.

So i’m really surprised at the pictures published in the newspaper, and also of their false nature. Maybe people should read about Prophet Muhummmad peace be upon him, and realise that he was a mercy to all mankind.

Attacking the prophet peace be upon him by drawing such pictures is attacking Muslims directly.

We dont draw pictures of other prophets like Abraham, Moses, Jesus, infact we respect them, and would never think to do such drawings.

dcat said...

Muslim -- Thanks for reading. With all due respect, however, I think it is rather presumptuous to use the royal "we." I wish it were the case that your views were those of all Muslims. Unfortunately they are not. Furthermore, I am willing to discuss whether these cartoons are offensive, blasphemous, or whatever. But the glory of living in a free society is the right to free speech -- even to offensive speech. So you have every right to choose not to buy a newspaper with images that offend you. You have the right to picket or protest or boycott such newspapers. You have the right to argue with us on dcat. But I am quite certain that no one has the right to threaten with death, to intimidate, or to terrorize as the result of such images being published.

Furthermore, from what I can see, these images mock Mohammed far less than they mock those who invoke Mohammed for all sorts of purposes that I believe neither Islam nor the Koran represent. You may find such images offensive -- I would likely never have thought to have published them on dcat for that reason. At the same time, now more than ever is the time to stand up for certain fundamental principles, including free speech and freedom of the press.

Cheers, and again, thanks for taking part.
dcat

SC said...

Thanks for the link, Dcat. On re-reading my earlier comments I feel my face reddening slightly – partly with re-lived anger, and partly with embarrassment.

I was, I admit, briefly enraged when I saw the 'BEHEAD THOSE WHO MOCK ISLAM' slogans. That's when I posted those remarks, but I decided to remove them shortly afterwards in favour of a more satirical approach.

dcat said...

Seb --
That's exactly why dcat has come to be a fan of Seb's Blag -- that capacity to be outraged coupled with an ability to approach it with a wry sense of humor. Plus I like the gratuitous self-promotional gimmicks you are always willing to attempt. Good stuff.
dcat

SC said...

Most kind, Dcat. Many thanks indeed, and sincere apologies for the extremely tardy reply! I have to say I enjoy your blog too. I don't mean 'I have to say' as in 'I have to say', but ... oh never mind. Keep up the good work!