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{{Quote|1=[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.caliphate.eu/2009/04/islams-view-towards-freedom-of-speech.html|2=2013-06-21}}  Islam's view towards Freedom of Speech]<BR>Caliphate Online|2=The concept of ‘freedom of speech’ is derived from the Capitalist ideology that is based on the belief that God and religion should be separated from life’s affairs (secularism). Human beings define how to live their lives free of the constraints of religion which is why freedom of individual, ownership, religion and speech are essential cornerstones of Capitalism. The right to speak and what are the limits of speech are therefore all defined by human beings.
{{Quote|1=[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.caliphate.eu/2009/04/islams-view-towards-freedom-of-speech.html|2=2013-06-21}}  Islam's view towards Freedom of Speech]<BR>Caliphate Online|2=The concept of ‘freedom of speech’ is derived from the Capitalist ideology that is based on the belief that God and religion should be separated from life’s affairs (secularism). Human beings define how to live their lives free of the constraints of religion which is why freedom of individual, ownership, religion and speech are essential cornerstones of Capitalism. The right to speak and what are the limits of speech are therefore all defined by human beings.


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Khair in this hadith means Islam or what Islam approves of.<small>[Hizb ut-Tahrir, ‘American Campaign to Suppress Islam,’ p. 23]</small>}}<br>
Khair in this hadith means Islam or what Islam approves of.<small>[Hizb ut-Tahrir, ‘American Campaign to Suppress Islam,’ p. 23]</small>}}<br>
According to [[Islamic law]], it is a criminal offense to speak ill of [[Islam]], its [[Muhammad|Prophet]], and its holy Scriptures ([[Qur'an]] and [[Hadith]]). '''Blasphemy''' is punishable by death.
According to traditional [[Islamic law]], it is a criminal offense to speak ill of [[Islam]], its [[Muhammad|Prophet]], and its holy Scriptures ([[Qur'an]] and [[Hadith]]). '''Blasphemy''' is punishable by death according to many traditional jurists.  
[[File:Images-cfiv-0004.jpg|right|thumb|275px|The above scene is from a 2006 protest in London, UK. It was held in response to the printing of the Jyllands-Posten Danish cartoons. By the end of February 2006 more than 40 people had died<ref name="cartoon 1">[http://www.britannica.com/bps/additionalcontent/18/25734739/JOURNALISM-FOR-INTEGRATION-THE-MUHAMMAD-CARTOONS Journalism For Integration - The Muhammad Cartoons] - Encyclopedia Britannica</ref> as a result of the angry reaction from Muslims, and its continued republication has resulted in more than 200 deaths and hundreds of injuries.<ref name="cartoon 2">[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,547572,00.html Yale Removes Cartoons of Prophet Muhammad From Forthcoming Book, Citing Fears of Violence] - Fox News, September 8, 2009</ref> ([[Images:Calls_for_Islamic_Violence|more pictures]])]]
[[File:Images-cfiv-0004.jpg|right|thumb|275px|The above scene is from a 2006 protest in London, UK. It was held in response to the printing of the Jyllands-Posten Danish cartoons. By the end of February 2006 more than 40 people had died<ref name="cartoon 1">[http://www.britannica.com/bps/additionalcontent/18/25734739/JOURNALISM-FOR-INTEGRATION-THE-MUHAMMAD-CARTOONS Journalism For Integration - The Muhammad Cartoons] - Encyclopedia Britannica</ref> as a result of the angry reaction from Muslims, and its continued republication has resulted in more than 200 deaths and hundreds of injuries.<ref name="cartoon 2">[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,547572,00.html Yale Removes Cartoons of Prophet Muhammad From Forthcoming Book, Citing Fears of Violence] - Fox News, September 8, 2009</ref> ([[Images:Calls_for_Islamic_Violence|more pictures]])]]
==What is Blasphemy?==
==What is Blasphemy?==
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===Qur'an===
===Qur'an===
Although, the Qur'an does not specify in unequivocal terms any punishment for blasphemy, we may find some serious justifications for death penalty to blasphemers:
Although the Qur'an does not specify in unequivocal terms any punishment for blasphemy, it speaks of some serious consequences for those who speak ill of Muhammad:


{{Quote|{{Quran-range|33|57|61}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran-range|33|57|61}}|
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[[Image:Beheading Prophet Muhammad. Muhammads cousin.jpg|right|thumb|210px|“Ali Beheading Nadr ibn al-Harith in the Presence of the Prophet Muhammad”, 7th Century Painting taken from Mustafa al-Darir’s Siyar-i-Nabi]]
[[Image:Beheading Prophet Muhammad. Muhammads cousin.jpg|right|thumb|210px|“Ali Beheading Nadr ibn al-Harith in the Presence of the Prophet Muhammad”, 7th Century Painting taken from Mustafa al-Darir’s Siyar-i-Nabi]]
Muhammad had said to his followers “Whoever curses a prophet kill him,” (Tabarani, Daraqutni)<ref>[http://www.khilaafah.com/Articles/07/sep/REVELATION%20FOR%20BELIEVERS.html Revelation for Believers concerning those who Insult prophets] - Khilaafah</ref> and there are many examples of people during his time who were guilty of blaspheming Islam and its Prophet. Most of these people were assassinated with Muhammad's blessing, and no punishment or compensation was imposed on the murderer.
Muhammad had said to his followers “Whoever curses a prophet kill him,” (Tabarani, Daraqutni)<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160914042555/http://www.khilaafah.com/Articles/07/sep/REVELATION%20FOR%20BELIEVERS.html Revelation for Believers concerning those who Insult prophets] - Khilaafah</ref> and there are many examples of people during his time who were guilty of blaspheming Islam and its Prophet. Most of these people were assassinated with Muhammad's blessing, and no punishment or compensation was imposed on the murderer.


*'''[[Qur%27an,_Hadith_and_Scholars:Muhammad_and_Mass_Murder#Assassination_of_.60Abdullah_bin_Ubayy_bin_Salul_al-.60Aufi|<nowiki/>'Abdullah bin Ubai (bin Salul)]]''' - Muhammad asked his followers to kill this man for making "evil" statements about Muhammad's family.
*'''[[Qur%27an,_Hadith_and_Scholars:Muhammad_and_Mass_Murder#Assassination_of_.60Abdullah_bin_Ubayy_bin_Salul_al-.60Aufi|<nowiki/>'Abdullah bin Ubai (bin Salul)]]''' - Muhammad asked his followers to kill this man for making "evil" statements about Muhammad's family.
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*'''[[Qur'an,_Hadith_and_Scholars:Muhammad_and_Mass_Murder#The_Murder_of_Al-Nadr_Bin_Al-Harith|Al-Nadr Bin Al-Harith]]''' - Al Nadir, a storyteller and poet who had mocked him. He was a prisoner of war who was not allowed to be ransomed by their clans and was executed on Muhammad's orders.
*'''[[Qur'an,_Hadith_and_Scholars:Muhammad_and_Mass_Murder#The_Murder_of_Al-Nadr_Bin_Al-Harith|Al-Nadr Bin Al-Harith]]''' - Al Nadir, a storyteller and poet who had mocked him. He was a prisoner of war who was not allowed to be ransomed by their clans and was executed on Muhammad's orders.


Some Muslims claim Muhammad had a Jewish neighbor who threw rubbish at him, and that one day the person became ill and Muhammad visited her. This story is not present in any Islamic texts, nor is it mentioned by any scholars of the past. Thus, this incident in Muhammad's life is most likely a [[List of Fabricated Hadith‎|fabrication]]. In addition, it contradicts Muhammad's nature as found in the copious amount of sahih (authentic) Islamic texts, mentioned above.
Some Muslims claim Muhammad had a Jewish neighbor who threw rubbish at him, and that one day the person became ill and Muhammad visited her. This story is not present in any Islamic texts, nor is it mentioned by any scholars of the past. Thus, this incident in Muhammad's life is most likely a [[List of Fabricated Hadith‎|fabrication]]. This also seems out of character for him according to the other extant sources available on him.


===Scholars===
===Scholars===
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{{Quote|1=[http://www.islamicvoice.com/April2006/QuestionHour-DrZakirNaik/ Question Hour: Ruling for Blasphemy in Islam]<BR>Dr. Zakir Naik, Islamic Voice, April, 2006|2=In Islam, a person who has committed blasphemy can either be killed or crucified, or his opposite hands and feet can be cut off, or he can be exiled from that land. On the other hand, in other religions there is no other option except capital punishment. Islam at least has four options of punishment for an act of blasphemy.}}
{{Quote|1=[http://www.islamicvoice.com/April2006/QuestionHour-DrZakirNaik/ Question Hour: Ruling for Blasphemy in Islam]<BR>Dr. Zakir Naik, Islamic Voice, April, 2006|2=In Islam, a person who has committed blasphemy can either be killed or crucified, or his opposite hands and feet can be cut off, or he can be exiled from that land. On the other hand, in other religions there is no other option except capital punishment. Islam at least has four options of punishment for an act of blasphemy.}}


Dr. Naik fails to mention that the other world religions are not political ideologies and therefore are not incorporated in state penal codes.
Dr. Naik fails to mention that the other world religions mostly do not ifluence national penal codes of the countries where they are practiced to the same degree as Islam.


{{Quote|Asif Iftikhar, PhD student of Islamic Law at McGill and a visiting faculty member at LUMS and Pakistan College of Law|2=The Islamic state does have the right to punish the person who commits blasphemy against the Prophet.<ref>Usman Ghafoor - [http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/aug2009-weekly/nos-09-08-2009/spr.htm#5 State has the right to punish] - The News, Jang Group Online Edition</ref><br>}}
{{Quote|Asif Iftikhar, PhD student of Islamic Law at McGill and a visiting faculty member at LUMS and Pakistan College of Law|2=The Islamic state does have the right to punish the person who commits blasphemy against the Prophet.<ref>Usman Ghafoor - [http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/aug2009-weekly/nos-09-08-2009/spr.htm#5 State has the right to punish] - The News, Jang Group Online Edition</ref><br>}}
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, Human Rights Watch, October 9, 2006</ref>
, Human Rights Watch, October 9, 2006</ref>


*2008 - '''Ra'if Badawa''' was charged with “setting up an electronic site that insults Islam” for his website that details abuses by the Saudi religious police and questions the predominant interpretation of Islam (Wahhabism).  Jeddah's prosecution service referred the case to the court and requested a 5-year prison sentence and a 3 million riyal (US$800,000) fine.  Amidst arrest threats and death threats, Badawa fled the country.<ref>[http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,,,SAU,,482d4226c,0.html Saudi Arabia: Stop Trials for 'Insulting' Islam] – Human Rights Watch – UNHCR, May 13, 2008</ref>
*2008 - '''Ra'if Badawi''' was charged with “setting up an electronic site that insults Islam” for his website that details abuses by the Saudi religious police and questions the predominant interpretation of Islam (Wahhabism).  Jeddah's prosecution service referred the case to the court and requested a 5-year prison sentence and a 3 million riyal (US$800,000) fine.<ref>[http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,,,SAU,,482d4226c,0.html Saudi Arabia: Stop Trials for 'Insulting' Islam] – Human Rights Watch – UNHCR, May 13, 2008</ref>


*2007 - '''Sabri Bogday''', a Turkish barber, was sentenced to death on blasphemy charges after an unfair trial.<ref>[http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/MDE23/014/2008/en/224d8f73-115a-11dd-a414-a101e24af105/mde230142008eng.html Saudi Arabia: Death penalty/ unfair trial, Sabri Bogday] - Amnesty International, April 23, 2008</ref>  Thankfully, King Abdullah, after receiving correspondence from Turkey's president and prime minister, pardoned Bogday and he was released to Turkey.<ref>[http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=118645&d=28&m=1&y=2009 Freed Turkish barber reaches home] - Ghazanfar Ali Khan - Arab News, January 28, 2009</ref>
*2007 - '''Sabri Bogday''', a Turkish barber, was sentenced to death on blasphemy charges after an trial which Amnesty International called unfair.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080512171940/https://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/MDE23/014/2008/en/224d8f73-115a-11dd-a414-a101e24af105/mde230142008eng.html Saudi Arabia: Death penalty/ unfair trial, Sabri Bogday] - Amnesty International, April 23, 2008</ref>  Thankfully, King Abdullah, after receiving correspondence from Turkey's president and prime minister, pardoned Bogday and he was released to Turkey.<ref>[http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=118645&d=28&m=1&y=2009 Freed Turkish barber reaches home] - Ghazanfar Ali Khan - Arab News, January 28, 2009</ref>


*2005 - '''Muhammad al-Harbi''' was sentenced by a Saudi court to more than three years in prison and 750 lashes for speaking to his students about his views on a number of current topics, such as Christianity, Judaism and the causes of terrorism.<ref name="teachers">[http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2005/11/16/saudi-arabia-teachers-silenced-blasphemy-charges Saudia Arabia: Teachers Silenced on Blasphemy Charges] - Human Rights Watch, November 16, 2005</ref>
*2005 - '''Muhammad al-Harbi''' was sentenced by a Saudi court to more than three years in prison and 750 lashes for speaking to his students about his views on a number of current topics, such as Christianity, Judaism and the causes of terrorism.<ref name="teachers">[http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2005/11/16/saudi-arabia-teachers-silenced-blasphemy-charges Saudia Arabia: Teachers Silenced on Blasphemy Charges] - Human Rights Watch, November 16, 2005</ref>
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==In History==
==In History==
The Wikipedia article on free speech in Sharia: [[w:Sharia#Freedom_of_speech|''Freedom of speech'']] presents a few historical examples of Islamic leaders who allowed forms of "free speech."  It neglects, however, to mention the countless examples of Islamic countries suppressing freedom of speech of Muslims and non-Muslims alike.  It also fails to provide the passages in the Qur'an and Hadith that condemn people who publicly speak out against Islam. A quick search of ''blasphemy law'' and be rewarded with an abundance of material.


==='Umar bin Al-Khattab's Restrictions on Expression and Speech===
==='Umar bin Al-Khattab's Restrictions on Expression and Speech===
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{{Main|Muhammad Cartoon Controversies}}
{{Main|Muhammad Cartoon Controversies}}


===Two Pastors in Australia Battle for the Right to Criticize Islam===
===The Murder of Theo van Gog===
 
In 2004 two pastors in Australia, [http://www.religionnewsblog.com/category/daniel-scot Daniel Scot] and [[w:Danny_Nalliah#Alleged_vilification_of_Muslims|Danny Nalliah]], were villified for speaking out against Islam and its teachings at a Christian conference.  Found guilty in the first case, the pastors appealed all the way to the Supreme Court of Victoria where they eventually won their case after spending tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees.
 
*[http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VCAT/2004/2510.html Islamic Council of Victoria v Catch the Fire Ministries Inc (Final) 2004 VCAT 2510 (22 December 2004)]
*[http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VSCA/2006/284.html Catch the Fire Ministries Inc & Ors v Islamic Council of Victoria Inc 2006 VSCA 284 (14 December 2006)]
 
===The Murder of Theo van Gogh===
{{Main|Theo van Gogh}}
{{Main|Theo van Gogh}}
 
*
===You Can't Call Muhammad a 'Pedophile' in Finland===
 
Jussi Halla-aho, prominent Finnish writer and elected member of Helsinki City Council, was indicted for incitement against a national group and the disturbance of religious worship<ref>[http://www.internationalfreepresssociety.org/2009/08/the-trial-of-jussi-halla-aho/ The Trial of Jussi Halla-aho] - James Cohen - The International Free Press Society, August 27, 2009</ref> for posting an [http://www.eurabia.cz/PrintArticle/2927-jussi-halla-aho-to-stand-trial-for-blasphemy-against-allah.aspx essay] addressed to Mika Illman, the Finnish state prosecuting attorney, in response to the Finnish state's prosecution of [[w:Seppo_Lehto|Seppo Lehto]] (a well-known racist) in 2008 for posting a blog featuring a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad having sex with a pig.<ref>[http://vasarahammer.blogspot.com/2008/06/finnish-blogger-sentenced-for-two-years.html Finnish blogger sentenced for two years] - Vasarahammer</ref>.  In the essay, Halla-aho stated emphatically: '''''Prophet Muhammad was a pedophile and Islam revers pedophilia as a religion. Islam is a religion of pedophilia. Pedophilia is Allah’s will.'''''
 
*[http://europenews.dk/en/node/26316 Interview with Jussi Halla-aho on Homma TV] - Tundra Tabloids - EuropeNews, September 17, 2009


===Geert Wilders and ''Fitna''===
===Geert Wilders and ''Fitna''===
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Great Britain's Home Office denied entry to Dutch MP [[w:Geert Wilders|Geert Wilders]] when he attempted to enter England on invitation from the UK Independence Party's Lord Pearson  to show his controversial film ''Fitna'' at the House of Lords.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7885918.stm Dutch MP refused entry to Britain] - BBC News, February 12, 2009</ref>  The movie raised ire among Muslims around the world.  Pakistan's largest Muslim party, Jamaat-e-Islami, organized a protest outside a mosque in Karachi, and some protesters demanded Pakistan cut diplomatic relations with the Netherlands.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-03-28-2776464862_x.htm Pakistanis protest Dutch film] - Associated Press - USA Today, March 28, 2008</ref> Jordan charged Wilders with blasphemy and contempt of Muslims for making an anti-Koran film and ordered him to stand trial in the kingdom.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL015190420080701 Jordan charges Dutch politician with blasphemy] - Reuters, July 1, 2008</ref>  In 2009, the Dutch court ordered prosecutors to put Wilders on trial for making anti-Islamic statements.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7842344.stm Islam film Dutch MP to be charged] - BBC News, January 21, 2009</ref>  In response to the indictments, Wilders said he wants to put Islam on trial and that he is “considering calling on radical imams and other idiots as witnesses.”<ref>[http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/133418 Geert Wilders May Ask 'Muslim Idiots' to Testify in Hate Trial] - Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu - Israel National News, September 14, 2009</ref>  His trial was set for January 2010.<ref>[http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2009/09/wilders_discrimination_case_in.php Wilders' discrimination case in January] - DutchNews.nl, September 14, 2009</ref>  On October 13, 2009 Geert Wilders won his appeal to Britain's Asylum and Immigration Tribunal against the British government ban.<ref>[http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE59C34D20091013?rpc=401 Dutch anti-Islam MP overturns British ban] - Reuters, October 13, 2009</ref> On November 24, 2009 the Turkish Foreign Ministry said that a planned visit to Turkey by Dutch members of parliament would not be welcome if the delegation included Geert Wilders.<ref>[http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,663638,00.html Turkey Frets about Geert Wilders' Planned Visit] - Bram Vermeulen - Spiegel Online International, November 26, 2009</ref>  Wilders' called the Turkish Foreign Ministry's reaction "very stupid."<ref>[http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=far-right-politician-slams-turkey8217s-reaction-as-8216stupid8217-2009-11-26 Far-right politician slams Turkey's reaction as 'stupid'] - Fulya Ozerkan - Hurriyet Daily News, November 26, 2009</ref>
Great Britain's Home Office denied entry to Dutch MP [[w:Geert Wilders|Geert Wilders]] when he attempted to enter England on invitation from the UK Independence Party's Lord Pearson  to show his controversial film ''Fitna'' at the House of Lords.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7885918.stm Dutch MP refused entry to Britain] - BBC News, February 12, 2009</ref>  The movie raised ire among Muslims around the world.  Pakistan's largest Muslim party, Jamaat-e-Islami, organized a protest outside a mosque in Karachi, and some protesters demanded Pakistan cut diplomatic relations with the Netherlands.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-03-28-2776464862_x.htm Pakistanis protest Dutch film] - Associated Press - USA Today, March 28, 2008</ref> Jordan charged Wilders with blasphemy and contempt of Muslims for making an anti-Koran film and ordered him to stand trial in the kingdom.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL015190420080701 Jordan charges Dutch politician with blasphemy] - Reuters, July 1, 2008</ref>  In 2009, the Dutch court ordered prosecutors to put Wilders on trial for making anti-Islamic statements.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7842344.stm Islam film Dutch MP to be charged] - BBC News, January 21, 2009</ref>  In response to the indictments, Wilders said he wants to put Islam on trial and that he is “considering calling on radical imams and other idiots as witnesses.”<ref>[http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/133418 Geert Wilders May Ask 'Muslim Idiots' to Testify in Hate Trial] - Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu - Israel National News, September 14, 2009</ref>  His trial was set for January 2010.<ref>[http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2009/09/wilders_discrimination_case_in.php Wilders' discrimination case in January] - DutchNews.nl, September 14, 2009</ref>  On October 13, 2009 Geert Wilders won his appeal to Britain's Asylum and Immigration Tribunal against the British government ban.<ref>[http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE59C34D20091013?rpc=401 Dutch anti-Islam MP overturns British ban] - Reuters, October 13, 2009</ref> On November 24, 2009 the Turkish Foreign Ministry said that a planned visit to Turkey by Dutch members of parliament would not be welcome if the delegation included Geert Wilders.<ref>[http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,663638,00.html Turkey Frets about Geert Wilders' Planned Visit] - Bram Vermeulen - Spiegel Online International, November 26, 2009</ref>  Wilders' called the Turkish Foreign Ministry's reaction "very stupid."<ref>[http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=far-right-politician-slams-turkey8217s-reaction-as-8216stupid8217-2009-11-26 Far-right politician slams Turkey's reaction as 'stupid'] - Fulya Ozerkan - Hurriyet Daily News, November 26, 2009</ref>
:*'''Watch ''Fitna'' [http://www.themoviefitna.com/?page_id=47 here].'''
:*'''Watch Geert Wilder's speech at his trial on January 20, 1010 [http://www.jihadwatch.org/2010/01/geert-wilderss-speech-at-his-trial-today.html here].'''
:*'''Read a report on the Wilders trial from Evelyn Markus in the Netherlands [http://www.jihadwatch.org/2010/01/wilders-if-expressions-reflect-the-truth-how-could-they-be-criminal.html here].'''


===The Satanic Verses Controversy===
===The Satanic Verses Controversy===
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{{Quote|1=Prakash George, senior police inspector of Bandra police station|2=We have registered an FIR (first information report) against Shah Rukh Khan after we received an application from an advocate who alleged that the actor made some statements hurting the sentiments of Muslims.  Complainant Khalid Babu Querishi alleged that in the July issue of the ''Time and Style'' magazine, Shah Rukh used objectionable language against the Prophet which was unacceptable.}}
{{Quote|1=Prakash George, senior police inspector of Bandra police station|2=We have registered an FIR (first information report) against Shah Rukh Khan after we received an application from an advocate who alleged that the actor made some statements hurting the sentiments of Muslims.  Complainant Khalid Babu Querishi alleged that in the July issue of the ''Time and Style'' magazine, Shah Rukh used objectionable language against the Prophet which was unacceptable.}}


Mufti Mohammed Shoeb Raza Qadri and Mufti Muti-ur-Rehman of the Darul-uloom-Mazhar-e-Islam stated that the entire Muslim community was hurt by Khan's statements and they issued a fatwa. Mufti Mohammad called Shahrukh a Kafir (non-believer) and such person should be thrown out of Islam. He also said that in an Islamic state such remarks would have called for a death penalty against the accused. He declared that Shahrukh's marriage with Gauri was nullified and Shahrukh must not be allowed to be buried in any Muslim graveyard.<ref>[http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywood/news/2009/shahrukh-khan-fatwa-230609.html Shahrukh Khan gets a 'fatwa'] - Subhadeep Bhattacharjee – One India, June 23, 2009</ref>
Mufti Mohammed Shoeb Raza Qadri and Mufti Muti-ur-Rehman of the Darul-uloom-Mazhar-e-Islam stated that the entire Muslim community was hurt by Khan's statements and they issued a fatwa. Mufti Mohammad called Shahrukh a Kafir (non-believer) and said that such person should be thrown out of Islam. He also said that in an Islamic state such remarks would have called for a death penalty against the accused. He declared that Shahrukh's marriage with Gauri was nullified and Shahrukh must not be allowed to be buried in any Muslim graveyard.<ref>[http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywood/news/2009/shahrukh-khan-fatwa-230609.html Shahrukh Khan gets a 'fatwa'] - Subhadeep Bhattacharjee – One India, June 23, 2009</ref>


Shah Rukh responded to the accusations in an SMS message to IANS:<ref>[http://www.haqeeqat.org/2009/06/22/shah-rukh-khan-reacts-comments-on-prophet-mohammad-a-writing-error/ Shah Rukh Khan Reacts: Comments on Prophet Mohammad a Writing Error] – Omer Jamil – Haqeeqat.org, June 22, 2009</ref>
Shah Rukh responded to the accusations in an SMS message to IANS:<ref>[http://www.haqeeqat.org/2009/06/22/shah-rukh-khan-reacts-comments-on-prophet-mohammad-a-writing-error/ Shah Rukh Khan Reacts: Comments on Prophet Mohammad a Writing Error] – Omer Jamil – Haqeeqat.org, June 22, 2009</ref>
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{{Quote|2=In today's discussion, we all agreed that all Malaysians must respect and uphold the Constitution of Malaysia, which allows freedom of religion to be practiced in peace and harmony.}}
{{Quote|2=In today's discussion, we all agreed that all Malaysians must respect and uphold the Constitution of Malaysia, which allows freedom of religion to be practiced in peace and harmony.}}
==Islam and Self-Censorship==
The aforementioned incidents involving Islam and its followers, has lead to wide-spread self-censorship and obfuscation of facts among the media in the west. A good example of this, is the UK media handling of the 2001 "race riots" by "Asians" in Oldham, Bradford and Burnley. In reality, these outbreaks of violence had little to do with race. The government, and the then home secretary David Blunkett, were warned by the head of the Commission for Racial Equality, Gurbux Singh, that more violence was to be expected from "Young ''Muslims'' who feel disenfranchised" living among the many "''Muslim''" hotspots in the UK.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2006/dec/28/communities.freedomofinformation 'Summer of race riots' feared after clashes in 2001] - Alan Travis, home affairs editor - The Guardian, December 28, 2006</ref>
The same thing occur in 2011, amid the news of widespread grooming of young 'white' girls by 'Asian' men.<ref>Chris Brooke - [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1344218/Asian-sex-gangs-Culture-silence-allows-grooming-white-girls-fear-racist.html Top detective blasts 'culture of silence' that allows Asian sex gangs to groom  white girls... because police and social services fear being branded racist] - Daily Mail, January 11, 2011</ref> It was eventually brought to light that these 'Asians' were not only targeting white girls, but also young girls from Hindu and Sikh communities.<ref>Yudhvir Rana - [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Not-just-White-girls-Pak-Muslim-men-sexually-target-Hindu-and-Sikh-girls-as-well/articleshow/7254035.cms 'Not just White girls, Pak Muslim men sexually target Hindu and Sikh girls as well] - The Times of India, January 10, 2011</ref>
Well-known political impressionist, Rory Bremner, during an interview with Sir David Frost on the BBC documentary, Frost on Satire, admitted he feared joking about Islam.
{{Quote|1=[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7828813/Rory-Bremner-afraid-to-joke-about-Islam.html Rory Bremner 'afraid' to joke about Islam]<BR>Nick Collins, Telegraph, June 15, 2010|2=When [I'm] writing a sketch about Islam, I'm writing a line and I think, 'If this goes down badly, I'm writing my own death warrant there.' Because there are people who will say, 'Not only do I not think that's funny but I'm going to kill you' – and that's chilling...If you're a Danish cartoonist and you work in a Western tradition, people don't take that too seriously. Suddenly you're confronted by a group of people who are fundamentalist and extreme and they say, 'We're going to kill you because of what you have said or drawn.' Where does satire go from there, because we like to be brave but not foolish.}}
Across the seas in the US, Comedy Central, after receiving threatening statements from the Islamic website ''Revolution Muslim'',<ref>{{cite news| last = Bates | first = Theunis  | title =  Pakistan Bans Facebook Over Muhammad Cartoons| work =AOL News  | language =  | publisher = www.aolnews.com  | date =May 19, 2010  | url = http://www.aolnews.com/world/article/pakistan-bans-facebook-over-muhammad-cartoons/19483123 | }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| last =Rodriguez  | first =Alex  | title =  Facebook dark in Pakistan amid uproar over Muhammad caricatures|work=Los Angeles Times  | publisher = www.latimes.com | date = May 19, 2010 | url = http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-pakistan-facebook-20100520,0,4071401.story | }}</ref> self-censored episodes of South Park by removing the word "Muhammad" and a speech about intimidation and fear. Ironically, cartoonist Molly Norris, who created the original piece of artwork which inspired the first ever "[[Everybody Draw Mohammed Day]]" in response to Comedy Central's self-censorship, eventually disassociated herself from it. Regardless of her u-turn, it was reported in July, 2010, that the American-Yemeni Islamic cleric Anwar al-Awlaki had put her, along with eight other cartoonists, on an execution hit list. The FBI have said that Norris and the other cartoonists have been warned of the "very serious threat."<ref>James Gordon Meek and Katie Nelson - [http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2010/07/11/2010-07-11_cleric_anwar_alawlaki_puts_everybody_draw_mohammed_cartoonist_molly_norris_on_ex.html Cleric Anwar al-Awlaki puts 'Everybody Draw Mohammed' cartoonist Molly Norris on execution hitlist] - NY DAILY NEWS, July 11, 2010 </ref>
In an interview with Las Vegas Weekly, The American magician, comedian, musician and writer, Penn Fraser Jillette, who was judged the number one personality who defines Vegas, said he does not tackle Islam due to having a family:
{{Quote|1=[http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/news/2010/jun/24/celebrity-issue/ A Uniquely Weekly ranking of the personalities who define Las Vegas]<BR> The Las Vegas Weekly, June 24, 2010|2='''Are there any groups you won't go after?'''
We haven't tackled Scientology because Showtime doesn't want us to. Maybe they have deals with individual Scientologists—I'm not sure. And we haven't tackled Islam because we have families.
'''Meaning, you won’t attack Islam because you’re afraid it’ll attack back...'''
Right, and I think the worst thing you can say about a group in a free society is that you’re afraid to talk about it—I can’t think of anything more horrific. [...]
'''You do go after Christians, though...'''
Teller and I have been brutal to Christians, and their response shows that they’re good f**king Americans who believe in freedom of speech. We attack them all the time, and we still get letters that say, “We appreciate your passion. Sincerely yours, in Christ.” Christians come to our show at the Rio and give us Bibles all the time. They’re incredibly kind to us. Sure, there are a couple of them who live in garages, give themselves titles and send out death threats to me and Bill Maher and Trey Parker. But the vast majority are polite, open-minded people, and I respect them for that.}}
Norwegian cartoonist, Finn Graff, who was known for his satirical drawings of [[Jesus]], has also said that he does not draw pictures mocking Muhammad “out of respect.”<ref>Hjörtur J. Guðmundsson - [http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/668 Scandinavian Update: Israeli Boycott, Muslim Cartoons] - The Brussels Journal, </ref> According to Mark Goldblatt at Reason:
{{Quote|1=[http://reason.com/archives/2010/05/14/the-poet-versus-the-prophet The Poet Versus the Prophet On standing up to totalitarian Islam]<BR>Mark Goldblatt, Reason, May 14, 2010|2=Americans characterize our collective deference towards the feelings of Muslims as “political correctness.” The phrase may be apt with respect to certain ethnic and religious minorities, but our tip-toeing around Islamic sensibilities is nothing more than plain, old-fashioned cowardice. MSNBC stooge Lawrence O’Donnell, for example, repeatedly slandered Mormonism during the 2008 presidential campaign as a sidebar to his creepily obsessive verbal jihad against then-candidate Mitt Romney. But when asked by radio host Hugh Hewitt whether he would insult Muhammad the way he’d insulted Joseph Smith, O’Donnell replied with rare candor: “Oh, well, I’m afraid of what the... that’s where I’m really afraid. I would like to criticize Islam much more than I do publicly, but I’m afraid for my life if I do.... Mormons are the nicest people in the world. They’ll never take a shot at me. Those other people, I’m not going to say a word about them.”
That’s the problem in a nutshell. But it’s not just O’Donnell’s problem. It’s our problem. America’s problem. The West’s problem. We lack the moral courage to walk the walk, to put our individual lives on the line in order to defend the principles of free thought and free expression—the very principles that allowed the Judeo-Christian West to leave the Islamic East in the dust, literally and figuratively, three centuries ago.}}


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