Editor,
This letter is in response to comments made by some letters in the Daily Lobo concerning the absoluteness of freedom of speech.
Let me clear some contentious issues out of the way. First of all, Islam does not hold prophet Muhammad on a higher plane than God, Moses or Jesus. God is daily depicted in cartoons around the world, and not always in a favorable light, and Muslims don't go crazy about that. The recent reaction toward the Muhammad cartoons has more to do with injury to personal egos of some emotionally perturbed Muslims and has nothing to do with Islam.
Muslims have been constantly stereotyped as terrorists since the Sept. 11, 2001, atrocity and have not been reacting violently or questioning the freedom of speech of their tormentors. Hiding behind freedom of speech does not purify hateful expressions against Muslims.
Freedom of expression is what makes Western civilization so successful, and as such, Muslims need to embrace it to catch up with the 21st century. Islam forbids reacting violently to insults to Islam or Muslims, and demands that Muslims set an example of peaceful conduct.
Absolute freedom of expression means with no boundaries or limits. From a moral standpoint, the clear answer toward such expression is no. For example, it is immoral to emotionally torment people because of their ethnicity, religion or handicaps by expressing stereotypical opinions. That newspapers have the legal right to publish opinions should not be used as a pretext to encourage and propagate evil and hateful opinions, whether it is against Jews, Christians or Muslims.
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From an intellectual standpoint, it is stupid to insult a group we wish to reform or help to change their behavior. Our method of communication reveals our true motives, and should be denounced by decent people when it shows malicious intent.
Muslims are under mental and emotional siege, and are living hell on Earth. I know because I am one, even though I am fighting terrorism and extremism in every way I know. Most Muslims I know share my predicament and are at a loss as to why they are called terrorists just because they are Muslims.
Lastly, from a legal standpoint, freedom of expression is not absolute. For example in Britain it is against the law to publish anything that is blasphemous to Christianity or Judaism, but not Islam, even though Muslims are the second largest group in Britain. In Austria, it is against the law to deny the Holocaust.
It is also illegal to express opinions that can be interpreted as harassment. If it can be proven that a book or a movie led somebody, such as a minor, to commit a crime, then the people responsible for that work are legally liable. Unfortunately, the world is filled with juveniles, and the Muslim world is no exception.
The proverbial example of the limitation of freedom of expression is shouting "fire" in a crowded place like a movie theater. Those of us who truly care about freedom of speech should exercise it with responsibility, lest our freedoms be stripped away one layer at a time.
Yes, the Danish newspaper had the right to be stupid, but news media have no obligation to propagate stupidity just because they believe in the freedom of expression.
Sami Shakir
UNM alumnus
