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Sign my petition… or else

Posted in Irshaddering Thoughts, Announcements on Apr 26, 2010

These days, you don’t even have to attempt a depiction of the Prophet Muhammad — however lousy your attempt may be — to incur a death threat from Islamist thugs.

I’m referring, of course, to the South Park controversy. But remember: The “offending” episode didn’t portray the Prophet at all. It put Santa Claus in a bear suit and asked the audience to pretend that the Prophet stood inside the furry, sweaty costume. (Good thing he’s accustomed to warm climes.)

In reality — uh, whatever that means for a cartoon — the Prophet sat in a U-Haul truck at an undisclosed location. God, now the messenger of Islam is channeling Dick Cheney. Will the absurdity never end?

Let’s get serious. Here are the top three reasons why free expression is entirely acceptable in Islam, even if it’s not welcomed by some Muslims:

1) The Prophet Muhammad warned Muslims not to put him on a pedestal. That’s because he’s not the one to be revered; God alone is to be worshiped. Welcome to the hypocrisy of those who claim to be protecting the Prophet while violating one of his core teachings.

2) The Qur’an expressly affirms that “there is no compulsion in religion” (2:256). Which means nobody should be forced to follow Islamic traditions, even if they’re “mocking” the religion.

3) The Qur’an advises Muslims to deal with hurt feelings by getting up and walking away (4:140). That’s it. Don’t retaliate. Just “do not sit with them.” Change the channel. Click the mouse. Move on. Once the dust has settled, come back to discuss the issues with those who’ve offended you.

I’m taking that advice.

See, as a faithful Muslim who’s trying to educate her fellow Muslims that Islam can be reconciled with free expression, I’m offended by the broadcaster of South Park, a channel called Comedy Central, which has censored any mention of Muhammad. I’m offended that the executives are caving to Islamist criminals. I’m offended that they’re infantilizing Muslims by expecting so little from us. Above all, I’m offended that they’re making my mission of Muslim reform that much harder.

So I want to discuss the issues with Comedy Central. But, dear readers, I need your help. I’m asking you to sign my petition against death threats and for secular values. This petition requests not just your name, but also your city.

Thanks to my Facebook community and news stories like these, we’ve amassed thousands of signatures since South Park hit the headlines. I’m planning to present these signatures to the executives at Comedy Central because I want them to see that if “ordinary” people have the guts to defy would-be murderers, the suits should have courage, too.

Beyond that — and in true Qur’anic spirit — I hope to generate a dialogue with Comedy Central and other broadcasters. The topic: why there’s no showdown between free expression on the one hand and respect for Islam on the other.  Media purveyors don’t need to make a false choice. Islam and free speech can be harmonized. Indeed, they must be.

Take it from the many Muslims who’ve already put their names on my petition. A quick sample:

* Hemin Sabir (Kurdistan, Iraq)

* Surya Lesmana (Yogyakarta, Indonesia)

* Salina Abaza (Damascus, Syria)

* Riaz Khan (Karachi, Pakistan)

* Mourad Menadi (Algiers, Algeria)

* Sheema Abdul Aziz (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

* Anees Ahmad (Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India)

* Sarah Al-Ahdal (Saudi Arabia)

You get the picture. Please sign now.

If you won’t do it for the brave Muslims above, do it for South Park’s bear community. They’re the real victims of humiliation here.