The armed attack on the Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris was an act
of violence that does not have any justification in human’s civilization
anymore. Those carrying out the attack
meant to infuse a vicious circle of hatred and divide, and may have succeeded
in doing so. However, as common citizens
of this world we need to avoid pointing fingers and instead unite as the one human
race against this vicious aim.
Violence is not a response to such acts, especially if those
targeted are innocent civilians. If this
happens, it perfectly serves intention of those that want to instill hatred. A more responsible response would be to
identify the cause of such incidents and unite together to confront it.
The unfortunate incidents in Paris, however, outlined two
important lessons that all need to learn:
First is for the liberal western world where freedom of speech and
the press are hard earned values. While
every human-being has a right to express their views, this freedom, even in
humor, should responsibly encourage respect, unity, understanding and trust
among the entire public, not otherwise. Freedom
of speech could be more effective if it is address resolving social issues such
grievance, inequality and discrimination.
Second is for the Muslim world that constantly faces incidents of
offensive media messages regarding their faith.
Such messages or drawings are usually produced by non-Muslims who have
limited understanding of their Abrahamic religion. The response to such messages or drawings
cannot and must not be violence. Islam
does not allow that. Instead the Muslim
world should respond to such incidents with care, respect and tolerance.
They could be much more effective if they
start educating and show to the non-muslim world that their religion is peace
and that it is the same as that of Prophet Abraham, who built the Kabba in
Mecca. And that Muslims recite five
times in their prayers every day that “Oh God! bless us Muslims as you have
blessed Abraham and his sons.” Also,
that it is our faith not to depict the prophet or God for it can lead to
worship of human made idolatry, forbidden in Islam.
