Commentary On a Human Rights (UDHR) Speech?Part IV
Posted on 10. Mar, 2010 by admin in Commentary
Hasan A. Yahya, Ph.D
We continue our comments: He says:
As far as Islam is concerned, our aim is not to protect religion against critics based on objective and rational interrogation. It is a fundamental principle in Islam for the believer to always question himself/herself, not only on the way he/she is practicing the Islamic teachings but also how to readapt to any practical circumstances and specific environments. What we are concerned about is the tendency of a new episode of extremist behavior against the adherents of a particular religion who are currently subjects of defamation, incitement to hatred, violence and racial discrimination.
This is not the only matter of national or local concern but it should be seen as a globalized phenomenon which needs to be addressed globally in an effective manner.
At the same time, the OIC is firmly committed to respect for freedom of expression which is a fundamental human rights. The OIC is not looking for limitation or restrictions of this freedom beyond those that already have been set by Articles 19 and 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
I say:
[but they do look to limit and restrict such a freedom in every locality in the Muslim world, the question how can we have freedom without dignity? How can we make the change of perception among future generations of Muslims?]
He says:
The line, the limit between criticism of religions and insult/incitement to hatred should be clarified. Each case should be taken up on its own merits. We have to be sure about what constitutes criticism but not incitement to hatred.
[I say: Citizenship and nationalist governmental and non-governmental cultural practices against the non-citizen or non-Arab and non-Muslim expatriates shows in every structure of governments of the OIC- no need for examples, but a question: how the poor lives and rear their kids in a society of wolves, protected by governments and organizations? Protesting injustices incite hate, yes! But to whom? Is it against the oppressed or the oppressor? ]
He says:
practices For example, when somebody calls for burning of our holy book Qur`an, can it be considered as mere criticism? When the cemetery tombs of Muslim soldiers who fought for the flag of an European nation and sacrificed their lives are desecrated by extremists and racists, is it criticism of religion or an act of hatred and racism?
[I say: People when people are angry, can they be blamed for their anger because of injustices and domination, ignorance, by the act of burning USA or Israeli flags, or Qur’an itself or defame the Prophet (PBUH)? Do we ask ourselves, why people hate Muslims dissidents from Islam, or why a great number of people convert to Islam? What did we do, other than more conferences to look modernized in the eyes of outside non-Muslim societies, while we have the least power compared with a wealthy ignorant Muslim interprets Islam to suite his or her interest?] you may see these powers in the satellite channells, in the education curriculum, in the static religious universities still live in the perceptions of fifteen hundred years ago, which separate a Muslim from other Muslims, not only a Muslim from non-Muslim! These universities, unfortunately are encouraged by governments to dominate the perception of power over people, and to cover their dysfunction of justice, freedom and equality which Islam stands for.]
He says:
We believe that there is no freedom without responsibilities and accountabilities.
[ I say: These words echo the words of the Gulf states and Muslim governments statement to gain power over the critical thinkers when they criticize governmental mis-chiefs and wrong practices. Or call for justices and equality in order to save the status quo handlers. This very point, is a violation of basic human rights for the vague terms: freedom, responsibilities, and accountabilities. These concepts need crystallization in the minds to be understood in a free society, where people carry these terms and respect them. Intellectual Muslims who consider Islam as a great power in maintaining social order and dignity should be concerned in these areas. These statements and the like, are taken to become under scrutiny among Muslim critical thinkers and non-Muslim, atheist or agnostic, or other religion followers, this I call a challenge to defend Islam not to defend violators of Human Right, I mean power governmental centers. By the way, Islam does not need protection, as many may think, Muslims who are in serious need for it, but, unfortunately they work against it.] (Go to part V)
Hasan Yahya, is an American Arab scholar and writer, a professor of sociology, and a columnist at wfol.tv, Malaysia, and TINA International News Agency, Chicago, USA. www.hasanyahya.com
About The Author– Hasan Yahya is an Arab American scholar, Writer and Poet. Graduated from Michigan State University with two Ph.D degrees. He published 20 plus books and 180 plus articles on sociology, psychology, politics, poetry, IQ Test Measurement, short stories and on Arab & Islamic Ethics in both Arabic and English. His articles may be found on articlesbase.com, Shelfari, Face-book and other internet sites. Dr. Yahya resides in Michigan, USA.