[Peace-discuss] Statement from Palestinian advocacy group

[David Green]

Citizens for Fair Legislation is saddened by the
recent violence centered around the publishing of
anti-Islamic cartoons in the European press. The
cartoons depicted Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, as a
terrorist. The cartoons, while considered free speech,
are in bad taste and appear to have been published for
the shock value. CFL is a strong supporter of free
speech in all of its forms, however, we believe that
freedom of speech carries with it the responsibility
of recognizing the repercussions of the written word.
Muslims around the world see the publication of those
cartoons as both blatant disrespect of their religion
and incitement to hatred and violence against Muslims.
CFL is also troubled by the double standards of the
European press. Many European countries have rightly
made it a crime to print grotesque anti-Semitic
writings and cartoons. European governments do not
make announcements supporting "freedom of speech" when
anti-Semites publish offensive articles, so we cannot
help but notice when European governments defend
bigots who choose to mock the religion of over 1.5
billion Muslims in the world. The cartoons were an
unacceptable sign of distrust that has been created by
the "us against them" mentality as advocated by Europe
and the US government. The west should reach out to
the Muslim masses and learn to be less ethnocentric.
Until then, distrust will grow and the chasm between
us will widen. 

www.cflweb.org


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