By Rehan Ansari, TwoCircles.net,
Innocence of Muslims, the film on Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on YouTube generated reactions – most of them violent – from the Muslims all over the world. Reactions by mobs most of the time turn violent irrespective of its affiliation – religious, political or otherwise. Violent reaction should be condemned by leaders and intellectuals and at the same time, the provocation or spewing venom which is hazardous to the plural society should be stopped at once.
The laws on Freedom of Expression need amendments, so does the communal, hateful mindset to protect the peace, harmony in this modern world of plural societies.
Like Britons changed their Domestic Violence law after the case of Kiranjeet Ahluwalia who was sentenced to life imprisonment for killing her abusive husband but let off later under public pressure. Because before Kiranjit’s appeal hearing the Southhall Black Sisters, an organization fighting for her brought the case to the public attention through public rallies and media. She ultimately was let off by the court.
For the change of mindset, media and the people in power have to play a crucial role. The double standard of these two pillars of the society is playing havoc resulting in unrest among the general public and provoke them further to turn violent.
“Extending freedom also means disrupting the evil of anti-Semitism,” George W. Bush told thousands of cheering Jews supporters in Florida in an Election campaign in 2004. Despite opposition from the US State Department the Junior Bush passed the Global Anti-Semitism Review Act of 2004 which commits the US government to keep a record of anti-Semitic acts throughout the world, and also a record of responses to those acts.
Kofi Annan, Secretary General of United Nations Organisation, in 2004 said, “The rise of anti-Semitism anywhere is a threat to people everywhere. Thus, in fighting anti-Semitism we fight for the future of all humanity.”
Back in India, Kolkata professor Ambikesh Mahapatra in April 2012 got arrested for emailing a cartoon that poked fun at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Aseem Trivedi also got arrested under the draconian sedition law, handed down to us by the colonial masters, for defaming national emblems.
We the people, the activists, the intellectuals, the lawmakers, must revisit the law of freedom of expression and think of “anti blasphemy” not only for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) but for all the prophets, in the line of anti Semitism to protect the sentiments of religious communities of the world.
Media plays an important role in changing the mindset or in the words of Noam Chomsky “Manufacturing consent”.
Government or corporate advertisements are the main source of revenue for the news media, therefore having a greater influence. Paid news is the new phenomena, spoiling the scene further, are used for Goebbels Propaganda.
Who better than working journalists, know that for money or power or promotions or under pressure of advertisers or government or sometimes simply for a good relation, Freedom of Expression, is restricted on daily basis in the media. So, let’s add one more to that list of Don’ts.
Use the opportunity to spread teachings of Prophet
Social networking sites have empowered the people for the good as in Egypt and Tunisia but the authenticity of the information is difficult to verify because of the flow of information and the scope of it. A lie can be easily spread or a truth can be twisted as in the case of Burma and Assam. Users have to be vigilant for the information and the reaction should not be violent in this world of dialogues and freedom of expression or else you should have to be powerful to go scot free. Take the case of film Innocence of Muslims posted on YouTube. Make this an opportunity to spread the teachings of Prophet Muhammad to the world because YouTube and other social networking sites are open for you as it is open for others or create another tool of social networking.