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Charlie Hebdo attack: Muslim Response - Freedom of Insult?

4,854 views · Published 11 January 2015 · 11:52 · Indexed 8 November 2026

Channel: Islam Explained · 2015 · Education

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Muslims scholars and Imam's from across the world like many have spoken out against the charlie hebdo attack in France. This short Friday sermon addressed to college students frames the discussion around how some in the media have begun to address these senseless murders as a 'clash' between those who support freedom Vs those who appose it i.e. a class of civilizations. Some have gone to great lengths in accusing Islam and Muslims in general for being the antagonists to such freedom in order that they can continue to push their hateful agenda of creating second class citizens out of the Muslims in the western world. What many people fail to ask, are the fundamental questions, are Muslims and Islam apposing a freedom or a freedom from insult?

For those who haven't heard of the of the french attack: Here is a BBC headline report (below)

"At least 12 people have been shot dead in Paris - 2 of them police officers - after masked men stormed the offices of a French magazine. 10 others have been wounded - several critically - at the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical weekly which has printed cartoons deriding the prophet mohammed. Gunmen burst into the magazine's offices in the centre of Paris just over 2 hours ago and then fled the scene. The French President, François Hollande described the attack as an act of exceptional barbarism".

The reality is 'true' freedom of speech doesn't exist, shouting "fire" in a crowded theater carries a prison sentence. Inciting violence or hatred also carries one (sadly #killallmuslims, seems to be big on social media, yet if a Muslim did a similar hashtag they would be in Gitmo being water boarded). We have laws protecting the Jewish community, laws protecting public order, laws for liable/slander etc. As Muslims we don't shy away from "debate" and yes some debate might cause offense but that's not what we are apposing.

According to John Stuart Mill who is seen as the apostle of the liberals and the one of the main founders of the concept of "freedom of speech" he stated that it's purpose is 3 i.e. pursuit of truth, accountability and progress. The sad reality is Europe is infamous for it's track record of "freedom of insult" we all know of another Semitic religious groups who were insulted to the extent that every aspect of their faith/culture was ridiculed which led to their "dehumanization", which we sadly now recognize as "antisemitism". Insults and hate only breed the alike, the sad reality is we live in such a time and age when a pregnant Muslim lady is attacked in France, and not just attacked but kicked in the belly when she cry's out that she is pregnant no one responds. The media remains silent, when we live in such an environment the only people that gain to prosper are those that have a hidden agenda or just a total hatred for Islam and Muslims built upon the many wars taking place in the middle east for resources and influence.

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