'Je suis Muhammad' – worldwide protest calls for death to 'Charlie' By Shahid Khan, Special to ASSIST News Service (Op Ed) GLASGOW, SCOTLAND (ANS January 18, 2015) -- The latest front cover of the Prophet Muhammad artoon in the satire magazine "Charlie Hebdo" has sparked new eruptions of violence throughout the Islamic world. The cartoon depicted the Prophet Mohammed holding a "Je suis Charlie" sign as a reference to the solidarity slogan which went viral on social media after the deadly attack on the Charlie Hebdo office in Paris earlier this month. Last week, in many Islamic nations such as Pakistan, Sudan, Turkey, Algeria, Jordan and Niger, angry citizens took on the streets chanting slogans against French defense of free speech, while burning the French flag and chanting "Allahu Akabar" -- God is great -- and "Death to France". In the Pakistani city of Peshawar and elsewhere in Muslim world, protestors paid tributes to the Kouachi Brothers who killed Charlie Hebdo cartoonists and editors. The glorification of their killing spree, is indeed a disturbing act which calls for monitoring by respective governments and law enforcement agencies. Such societal attitude is breeding ground for any form of militancy which stokes religious hate among others, no wonder some young men can take law in their hands and turn violent during such protest demonstrations in a bid to get a false "glory". In the wake of such violence, members of other religious communities are increasingly concerned for their own security. In countries where religious freedom is only available in statutes, but not in streets events like these, easily backlash on the vulnerable minority communities. Last week one of my friends in Pakistan recalled attacks on Christian's properties and the demand for death for Christian members of the community after a controversy around Muhammad Cartoons published by the Danish newspaper "Jylland-Posten". I thought he had a sharp premonition. ![Churches burned in Niger Shahid Khan]() My friend's fear became a reality, when news poured in about several churches being attacked in Niger's Capital Niamey. The depiction of Prophet Muhammad caused yet another attack on the peaceful minority citizens. Reports feature at the time of writing that violence erupted outside Niamey's grand mosque with at least five killed and seven churches torched. There is no excuse for such violence. Why were Christians hit in Pakistan during protests against Danish cartoons or what connection do Christians in Niger have with Charlie Hebdo? Though they are peaceful citizens, Christians are taken as "Stooges of the west" as part of a common allegation against Christians living in Muslims states. It cannot be that minority communities are scapegoated for events over which they have no influence or power. It is the duty of the state to protect all religious buildings and people and bring the perpetrators to justice. Killing on the name of religion is a killing which should never be extolled in any shape and form. There is no freedom to attack religious places and burn people in churches, temples, mosques and it is indeed a crime which should be dealt with through the law of the land. It also leaves citizens with a huge responsibility to tolerate and act responsibly against people of "other"' faiths. However, being of another faith is not the only risk, being a liberal Muslim in a country which has sharia enshrined in its law can be equally dangerous. The Saudi Arabian blogger Raif Badawi was sentenced to ten years imprisonment and 1,000 lashes for saying that "All Christians, Muslims and Atheists are equal". The sentence was to be carried out every Friday when Raif would receive an instalment of 50 lashes – but this last Friday he was spared on medical grounds since the wounds of the torture he received the week before had not healed yet. Worldwide campaigns have caught the attention of many rights group who made demonstrations against this brutal and inhuman treatment. Around eight US senators have called for an amnesty for him. Freedom of speech is a value, not a threat. There is a dire need for state authorities anywhere in the world to protect and promote this value rather than to allow that it is abused and used to justify violence against minorities or people of different opinion. Religious sentiments need to be heard but judiciary has to make it a
first priority to prosecute those who run around on a killing spree to protect its own citizens. In Algeria protesters were waving placards "Je suis Mohammed" (I am Mohammed) – I wish we start promoting "Je suis humaine" (I am human) as the first and most valued truth celebrated around the world. Photo caption: Churches and French interests have been targeted in Niger -- a former French colony (AFP)
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