AMA Condemns Publication
of Cartoons
Newark,
CA: Condemning the recent disrespectful representation of
the Prophet of Islam in the Danish and other European newspapers
in “the strongest possible” terms, the American
Muslim Alliance (AMA), a civic education organization with
101 chapters nationwide, called for strategic outreach to
other groups and communities and proposed internal education
and preparation.
The publication of the cartoon in the Danish newspapers
comes at a time when the Muslim world has been burdened
by a series of humili ating provocations including desecration
of the Qur’an at the Guantanamo Bay prison.
In a four-point statement the organization called on Muslim
communities everywhere to recognize the provocation and
resist the “trap” set by those who would manipulate
Muslims religious sensitivities. It also called on all religious
and intellectual organizations to increase their efforts
to teach tolerance and mutual respect.
“In an open, free speech, society bigotry is fought
and defeated through public consciousness and rational analysis.
Public rebuke is to bigotry what sunshine is to germs.”
AMA Chairman Dr. Agha Saeed said.
The AMA statement reads:
“First, we must separate wheat from chaff. The issue
in not freedom of speech and no one is calling for censorship.
The issue is increasing lack of tolerance against Muslims
and Islam in the West. Today, no one defends similar insults
against any other group in the name of free speech. In the
last three decades people have been fired from jobs, made
to resign from elected position, and excommunicated from
clubs and associations for saying similar, socially and
morally reprehensible things against Blacks, Jews, and other
groups.
“Second, world over Muslims must recognize and resist
an emerging pattern of provocation and entrapment. This
entrapment leads to insult and humiliation, on the one hand,
and cleverly insin uated conflict with free speech, on the
other. While subjecting Muslims and Islam to palpable intolerance,
this clever stratagem seeks to make them appear the intolerant
community.
“We must also remain vigilant against agent provocateurs
who may seek to involve some segment of the community in
irresponsible action.
“Third, Muslim social, political and cultural organizations
should reach out to other communities and solicit their
support against these brazen acts of bigotry. In an open,
free speech, society bigotry is fought and defeated through
public consciousness and rational analysis. Public rebuke
is to bigotry what sunshine is t o germs. Ask your elected
and appointed officials as well leaders of other faith tradition
to publicly rebuke these statements.
“Fourth, Muslims living in Western societies should
educate themselves and others about this phenomenon of deliberate
defamation and willful humiliating that is likely to continue
for the foreseeable future by way of repeated provocations
against Islam, Qur’an, and the Prophet.”
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