On Jan. 1, again we heard news about the alleged attempt to kill the Danish political cartoonist, Kurt Westergaard, known for his controversial depictions of the Prophet Muhammad. The Jakarta Post on Jan. 3 reported the assailant was shot by Danish police officers. Furthermore, Danish intelligence officials said the suspect was connected to al-Shabaab, al-Qaeda’s ally in East Africa.
Many Muslims have been offended by the Danish prophet cartoons. We remember the case on Sept. 30 2005 when Jyllands-Posten, the biggest Denmark daily newspaper, published 12 cartoons, which were claimed as the cartoons of the prophet. In Islam, it is taboo to depict the prophet.
Two months after the cartoons were published; there were no big reactions from Muslim societies. However, in Dec, 2005 after the Islamic Conference Organization announced its resistance to the cartoons, and the cartoons were published again in newspapers in various countries, there was a strong reaction from Muslims. They burnt flags of Denmark as a symbol of their disappointment.
I disagree with the strong reactions from Muslim societies over the cartoons. Such reactions in fact strengthened the stereotype of vicious faces of Muslims that were illustrated through the Danish cartoons. Muslims should have looked for other more rational ways to express their disagreement and disappointment with the cartoons.
Of course the cartoons were offensive, but Muslims should not have reacted so strongly to the issue. The prophet himself never acted coercively to achieve his aims. The famous story that illustrates this is when he was thrown by the Thaif people until he was injured while he was trying to deliver a da’wa or invitation to the religion of Islam. It was told that the angel Gabriel was very angry with the Thaif people’s attitude toward the prophet.
Then, when the prophet was thirsty, Gabriel came and said that if the prophet allowed him, he would throw the Thaif people off the Uhud mount. Nevertheless, the prophet answered that he was there not to damage the people, but to show them guidance. Then the prophet prayed, “Oh God, guide my community since they do not know guidance”.
Furthermore, the Danish government and the Jylland Posten crew argue that what the cartoonist did was right as it was justified by the freedom of expression. For me, this is the wrong way to define the freedom of expression. For them, as I understand, the freedom of expression means unlimited freedom and allows everyone to express themselves without limitation.
This is what I disagree with. Freedom for me is freedom with a responsibility. It means that our freedom is socially limited by other people’s freedom. Everybody may express his opinion as long as it does not hurt other people.
To freely express our opinions and hurt other people at the same time is irresponsible. So the freedom that harms other people’s freedom cannot be called freedom; it is oppression.
Ahmad Fathan Aniq
The Jakarta Post, January 23, 2010
January 27, 2010
Fathan
7 responses to “Freedom of Expression”
ZUMROTUS SHOLIHAH, NIM:CO1209059
April 16th, 2010 at 06:49
I am interested when I read the articles you make, how much is not. when non-Muslims are stepping on the dignity of Islam by making caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad which was then followed by a strong reaction by Muslims to burn the Danish flag as a form of protest against the Danish action. but you do not agree with this reaction.
As a Muslim, who realize the responsibility in maintaining the sanctity and honor of religion. is a definite need and obligation to defend the religion when religion was attacked. assault here is not only a battle, but in terms of psychological warfare, namely self-esteem.
Islamic people realize how respectable Muhammad as the standard bearer of truth. described in the hadith that “if not because of Muhammad then Allah would not have created the world” this indicates a high status in God’s prophet Muhammad. the physical properties of the prophet can not be explained even by those who live in the prophet Muhammad. , but these danish cartoonist who dared to describe what he did not know at all.
these harsh measures due to Muslim anger over the abuse of non-Muslims do. and I support such a strong reaction. why, because of the freedom they do have violated the limit freedom of expression. freedom they have hurt the feelings of others.
after this incident, I hope there is real action from the state and religious leaders to create a restriction on expression in order not encounter things that offend other people.
jamilatul aliyah
April 17th, 2010 at 22:55
The first opinion: I disagree with your opinion that prohibits Muslims acting anarchic by burning their flag because the person that’s really not intellectually baik.tapi because we can not do anything because of the weakness of Muslims compared with non-Muslims who superpower then from that we can only burn their flags
second opinion: I agree with your opinion that freedom is not free interpreted without limit but there are limits to the rights of others.
thanks
Metik Citra Agustiningrum
April 19th, 2010 at 07:48
freedom of expression is everyone’s right. however, should be constituted with the norms or values in society. so, in my opinion even if they think that it is a masterpiece in the form of expression, but it is contrary to religious norms as insulting other religions. they can express themselves freely, but do not have to be published in general.
Arwinda Gama Magwasar (C03209059)
April 19th, 2010 at 11:25
in Islam, indeed we must use reason in dealing with things rationally. because Islam is a religion that uses rationality rather than anger. however, if we don’t stop that whether it be stopped?
and rational way how do we use to stop it?
thanks
virginia runny
April 19th, 2010 at 12:36
According to my opinion, I am disagree about the cartoon that describe prophet’s body, because base on Moslem have not described, how form of prophet? It is forbidden to do.
I am disagree too, there are some controversies in Islam and the other religion about cartoonist Denmark because it is not Islam education but Rasulullah orders to his company so that they get a good attitude or give sample it
Ryan Anggraeni (C04209059)
April 19th, 2010 at 13:15
feel hard to understand this article in the beginning, but at least I know what the outline in there, in this case, I agree with your statement , that the moslem should not have strong reacted like that,,
as like you, for me, freely express our imagination is okay, as long as doesn’t hurt another,,
In Indonesia, often we know, anarchy moslem demonstrant, they over act in their demonstrations.
for the example, the trgedy priok grave some day before, I think the tragedy should not be happened,
the moslems can face the eviction with calm down, they can discuss with the satpol pp agency,,
but in the fact, the moslems mass were have anarchy reaction,,
in there, I dont agree with satpol pp do, they reply moslems with something anarchy to,
huft, don’t know what will I say here,,
thanks sir to the artichel tittled “2000 rupiah di tahun 2009″, thats beautiful experience.
=)
Tyas Purwanti (C04209060)
April 19th, 2010 at 13:31
I agree with your article Mr.Fathan, in my opinion, the freedom as long as not hurt other poeple was be allowed,, I feel so disgrace if any moslems have anarchy reacted to renpons something was injurious about abuse to Islam, is should not be happened.