Protests and anti-Islam Film

By Salma Ahmed :

Another derogatory movie ‘Innocence of Muslims’ has yet again created a havoc in the Islamic world especially in Libya, Egypt and Pakistan. I have not seen the movie or its trailer but only read about it. Apparently, the movie is poorly directed with no plot or acting worthy of comments. It was clearly made to humiliate Muslims and incite the reactions they are known to have. Kudos to the evil masterminds behind the movie; they have accomplished their goal. Muslims all over the world have taken to streets, protesting about the movie and are hell-bent upon destroying US embassies. In Libya, they even managed to take innocent lives (such as the lives of US ambassador Christopher Stevens and his staff).

Pakistan, however, has outdone itself. Almost a week after the killing of US ambassador, the Pakistani nation came into action. It was only painful to see how the so called “Ashiq e Rasool” backed by the Ulema took to streets in Pakistan to condemn the film and show their love for the Prophet (pbuh) by destroying their own homeland. The Pakistani lawyers could not resist themselves and joined the bandwagon. Instead of calming the Ummah, the ghairat brigade continued to add fuel to the fire, demanding the ban of Youtube and seeking UN to mediate in the sad affairs. The Pakistani government gave in and announced Friday as a public holiday and named it the “Ishq e Rasool” day. For this special day, the mobile service has aslo been suspended.

The coverage given to this issue by Pakistani TV channels is also mind-boggling. By taking the Prophet’s name with a special accent and playing naats’ behind news reports, it seems that they need to prove their allegiance and love for the Prophet (pbuh). No doubt the film has hurt the sentiments of Muslims but protesting by taking out violent rallies is not the way to show love and reverence to the Holy Prophet (pbuh). It was outrageous to read in the newspaper the other day that a blasphemy case was filed against a poor fellow who refused to join the anti-film rally.

What kind of love is this really? If someone twists your arm, do you chop it off? If a neighbor abuses you, do you burn your own house? If a pervert abuses you, do you take your own life? This is exactly what Muslims are doing at the bidding of some ignorant extremists in America.

Islam teaches us tolerance and reasoning. It gives us the right to take an eye for an eye but asks us to use logic first. If someone insults our religion, we are asked to only turn away from that person. The Holy Prophet’s (pbuh) whole life is an example for Muslims. Even after 13 years of persecution, he forgave his enemy at the conquest of Mecca. When Abdullah bin Ubayy, a hypocrite, abused him, the Prophet (pbuh) forgave him and on his death offered his funeral prayer.