Focus: Freedom of expression

Freedom of expression does not mean it is okay to mock others, as it could increase racist acts or have harmful effects on society. For example, to mock the colour of black people is unacceptable as it qualifies as racism against the black community. Freedom of expression should not be used to mock or as a justification for racism. If you disagree with a certain belief, that is fine, but you don’t have to mock it in front of people who hold that belief. That is not freedom of speech.

From Mr Mohammad Arif

UAE

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) doesn’t need anyone to defend him. However, freedom of expression should not be used to incite hatred, just because some people believe ‘my freedom ends where someone else’s begins’.

From Ms Souad Jeridi Khouildi

Abu Dhabi

I am not Muslim, but I was hurt by the magazine’s way of depicting Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Yes, we do have the freedom to speak out or to express our views on certain issues, but in this issue, I don’t see any moral value to it. It is insulting and it only creates violence and hatred. We are not talking about an ordinary person, but a Prophet, so limit negative speech and show some respect. The cartoons were disturbing and not funny at all.

From Ms Jopay Ambroy Gam

Dubai

We have to be secure enough as Muslims to tolerate what others say or do. We know that our Prophet (PBUH) was a merciful and loving man, husband and father, so why do we get offended every time there’s a cartoon about him depicting him differently? As Muslims, we should stop being reactionary and live according to our faith, for it is through our example that people from other faiths will know us. It’s not in our words or posts on Facebook. It’s not in killing others over a silly thing. We should show some maturity over the fact that Muslims do not live in a vacuum. We live in a globalised community, where there are diverse ideas and ideologies, faiths and principles. We should show them how it is to live peacefully with the rest of humanity. Words of revenge or insults aimed at anyone will not solve any problem – it will only create hatred and division.

From Ms Mariam Aimi

UAE

First of all, the cartoons were not targeting Islam — Charlie Hebdo is a magazine known for criticising and ridiculing everyone, from Britons to the pope. There was no unfair or unjust partiality against Islam. Secondly, Islam or Muslims are not a race, rather a religion, hence, it cannot be called racism.

From Mr Vishnu Sunil

Dubai

Everyone has a right to criticise any religion, but this was more of an insult. Whatever the magazine is, they had no right to target Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) or any religion. This is freedom of ignorance, which will result in a clash of faith against 1.6 billion Muslims.

From Mr Karim Baig

Doha, Qatar

I am Muslim and I do let people question my religion and faith. However, at the end of the day, I am strong enough to stand against it.

From Mr Mikail Olfat Byrd

Dubai

There is a fine line between satire and insult. Using satire to insult is not freedom of speech, nor should it be acceptable.

From Ms Aziza Al Busaidy

Dubai

People don’t seem to understand freedom of expression. You do not only get to hear and protect expressions you like or approve of. That is not freedom, rather oppression and censorship. People in France have a right to freedom of expression. Muslims in France are free to criticise the cartoons, and are free to express that they are upset and hurt, and work to boycott or convince people not to purchase the magazines that show these cartoons. But no one has a right to kill or harm. Just because someone has hurt your feelings, doesn’t give you the right to physically harm them.

Political satire is one of the post effective methods to criticise those in power or with power. Western countries have a long history of artists mocking the elite. Daesh and extremists should be mocked and made fun of for their insanity, as it is the only way to reduce their power of attracting followers to their violent ideology. I would also point out that non-Muslims do not follow Islam, so Islamic rules of drawing pictures of the Prophet (PBUH) does not apply to non-Muslims.

From Mr Chris Reid

UAE

Freedom of speech is of no use if we don’t respect each other, including each other’s religions. There are a lot of topics for those cartoonists to select from, such as their own president’s affair with an actress... why did they have to select Islam repeatedly?

From Mr Chris Befo

Bengaluru, India

Everyone is talking about freedom of expression, but do they even know what it means? You must and you should have freedom of expression, but it should not be offensive. Ask a black person if the N-word is a subjective one? It’s mockery and provocation. The result is violence, which is a subjective reaction, but that does not mean that all Muslims would react the same way.

From Mr Ahmad Mukhtar

UAE

There is absolutely no excuse to kill someone. Today, it is a cartoonist, tomorrow it could be a person walking on the street, day after — it might be one of your own. Remember that violence begets violence and it’s a vicious cycle. People who use violence to put their message across are succeeding. When this occurs, the same people will start imposing their own laws and systems and that is how the vicious cycle propagates to new heights. So, before supporting the attacks and the shootings, one should think about the consequences of doing so.

From Mr Ajay Bhatia

UAE

What has happened to self-control? We might be upset or insulted by an action, but we still choose whether to respond or not respond. Just because we don’t respond, doesn’t mean that we aren’t bothered — just emotionally mature enough not to react.

From Ms Bron Lancaster

London, UK

Insulting (which is subjective), shouldn’t result in a violent response.

From Mr Stuart Bonner

Dubai

Insulting other people’s beliefs is not freedom of expression, rather an offense. We have international laws that should protect from such offenses.

From Mr Lim Salim

UAE

Freedom of speech will result in violence, so it’s better to mind your own business instead of insulting others’ religions. Stay blessed and respect each other.

From Mr Salem Bangash

Dubai

I don’t think that people understood the subtitles in the cartoons. These are just general critiques, drawn on paper, and it is not only about Muslims or Islam. If you know satire, you know that everyone is a target. This is not done to hurt anyone physically! Next week, it could be me in a cartoon and I would just laugh about it — nothing else!

From Mr Seb Bärle

Ras Al Khaimah

If someone does something that offends you, be strong enough to turn the other cheek and ignore them. Violent action is done by weak-minded individuals that take things too personally.

From Ms Jules Halliday

UAE

You cannot have any rights without responsibility. If I tell lies or degrade anyone, that is not a responsible thing to do, and in turn, I will face consequences and this goes for any right, and is not just about the right to free speech. If we keep abusing our rights, soon, we will have no rights at all.

From Mr Christian Nicole

Dubai

Freedom of expression does not mean it is alright to criticise someone else’s religion, religious scholar, Prophet (PBUH) or leader, as every action has a reaction.

From Mr Sajid Mehmood

UAE

- Compiled by Donia Jenabzadeh/Community Web Editor