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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. | ||
[[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?== | ||
As defined by | As defined by Islamic Scholars: | ||
{{Quote|1=[http://muslim-canada.org/apostasy.htm Apostasy & Blasphemy in Islam]<BR>The Canadian Society of Muslims|2='''VII. Kitab al-fiqh Ala' al-Madahib al-Arba'ah'''<sup>1</sup> by 'Abd al-Rahman Jaziri (Urdu translation)<br>''Excerpts and examples to further illustrate what constitutes blasphemy in Islam''<br><br>It is necessary to have evidence of two reliable witnesses corroborating each other before a Khazi (judge) shall be required to question the witnesses. Thereupon the witnesses will have to make statements describing the words uttered or the acts done which constitute apostasy. | {{Quote|1=[http://muslim-canada.org/apostasy.htm Apostasy & Blasphemy in Islam]<BR>The Canadian Society of Muslims|2='''VII. Kitab al-fiqh Ala' al-Madahib al-Arba'ah'''<sup>1</sup> by 'Abd al-Rahman Jaziri (Urdu translation)<br>''Excerpts and examples to further illustrate what constitutes blasphemy in Islam''<br><br>It is necessary to have evidence of two reliable witnesses corroborating each other before a Khazi (judge) shall be required to question the witnesses. Thereupon the witnesses will have to make statements describing the words uttered or the acts done which constitute apostasy. | ||
Apostasy can be committed in two ways: (1) by uttering expressly by tongue that he is (or has become) a Mushrik , a polytheist (i.e. one who associates others with the One God and considers them to be worthy of worship) or, by saying something which is bound to connote in its meaning a denial of the existence of God, for instance to say that God has corporeal (physical, material) existence just like any other corporeal object, or (2) by the performance of an act in which one cannot avoid the clear conclusion that it is tantamount to 'kufr' (infidelity, denial of Islam), for example, to throw away with contempt the holy Qur'an or any part of it or even a single word of it; or to throw it in the fire in an insulting, contemptuous manner; or to throw it in such a place as a garbage dump where there are filthy, dirty and repulsive things; or in a spittoon etc. These acts would be blasphemous and constitute apostasy. | Apostasy can be committed in two ways: (1) by uttering expressly by tongue that he is (or has become) a Mushrik , a polytheist (i.e. one who associates others with the One God and considers them to be worthy of worship) or, by saying something which is bound to connote in its meaning a denial of the existence of God, for instance to say that God has corporeal (physical, material) existence just like any other corporeal object, or (2) by the performance of an act in which one cannot avoid the clear conclusion that it is tantamount to 'kufr' (infidelity, denial of Islam), for example, to throw away with contempt the holy Qur'an or any part of it or even a single word of it; or to throw it in the fire in an insulting, contemptuous manner; or to throw it in such a place as a garbage dump where there are filthy, dirty and repulsive things; or in a spittoon etc. These acts would be blasphemous and constitute apostasy. | ||
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===Qur'an=== | ===Qur'an=== | ||
Although | 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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Cursed: '''wherever they are found they shall be seized and murdered''', a (horrible) murdering. }} | Cursed: '''wherever they are found they shall be seized and murdered''', a (horrible) murdering. }} | ||
<p>{{Main|If Anyone | <p>{{Main|If Anyone Slays a Person (Qur'an 5:32)|l1=If Anyone Slew a Person (Qur'an 5:32)}} | ||
Also, Qur'an does specify a punishment for "spreading [[mischief]]"<nowiki>:-</nowiki> | Also, Qur'an does specify a punishment for "spreading [[Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Mischief|mischief]]"<nowiki>:-</nowiki> | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|5|33}}|The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His messenger and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned; this shall be as a disgrace for them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement,}} | {{Quote|{{Quran|5|33}}|The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His messenger and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned; this shall be as a disgrace for them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement,}} | ||
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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. | 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. | ||
*'''[[Qur%27an,_Hadith_and_Scholars:Muhammad_and_Mass_Murder#Assassination_of_.60Abdullah_bin_Ubayy_bin_Salul_al-.60Aufi|'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. | ||
*'''[[Qur%27an,_Hadith_and_Scholars:Muhammad_and_Mass_Murder#Assassination_of_Abu_.60Afak|Abu `Afak]]''' - Muhammad asked his followers to kill this man for making negative remarks about Muhammad and Islam. | *'''[[Qur%27an,_Hadith_and_Scholars:Muhammad_and_Mass_Murder#Assassination_of_Abu_.60Afak|Abu `Afak]]''' - Muhammad asked his followers to kill this man for making negative remarks about Muhammad and Islam. | ||
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*'''[[Qur%27an,_Hadith_and_Scholars:Muhammad_and_Mass_Murder#Murder_of_.60Asma.27_Bint_Marwan|Asma Bint Marwan]]''' - Muhammad asked his followers to kill this woman for composing inflammatory poetry about Islam and Muslims. | *'''[[Qur%27an,_Hadith_and_Scholars:Muhammad_and_Mass_Murder#Murder_of_.60Asma.27_Bint_Marwan|Asma Bint Marwan]]''' - Muhammad asked his followers to kill this woman for composing inflammatory poetry about Islam and Muslims. | ||
*'''[[Qur%27an,_Hadith_and_Scholars:Muhammad_and_Mass_Murder#Blind_Man.27s_Slave-Mother|Blind Man's Slave-Mother]]''' - When Muhammad learned that one of his followers had stabbed and killed his | *'''[[Qur%27an,_Hadith_and_Scholars:Muhammad_and_Mass_Murder#Blind_Man.27s_Slave-Mother|Blind Man's Slave-Mother]]''' - When Muhammad learned that one of his followers had stabbed and killed his ''Umm walad'' (concubine with whom he had fathered a child) for making derogatory remarks about Muhammad, he declared that "'''no retaliation is payable for her blood.'''" | ||
*'''[[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]]. | 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 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 | *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§ion=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 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§ion=0&article=118645&d=28&m=1&y=2009 Freed Turkish barber reaches home] - Ghazanfar Ali Khan - Arab News, January 28, 2009</ref> | ||
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*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> | ||
*2004 - '''Muhammad al-Sahimi''' was banned from teaching and sentenced to three years in prison and 300 lashes for endorsing allegedly un-Islamic sexual, social and religious practices because of his discussion on the varying concepts of love in poetry.<ref name="teachers"/> | *2004 - '''Muhammad al-Sahimi''' was banned from teaching and sentenced to three years in prison and 300 lashes for endorsing allegedly un-Islamic sexual, social and religious practices because of his discussion on the varying concepts of love in poetry.<ref name="teachers" /> | ||
===Iran=== | ===Iran=== | ||
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*2010 - '''Rubina Bibi''', a Christian woman, was arrested after a Muslim woman accused her of blasphemy. The woman claimed Rubina Bibi made a derogatory remark about the Prophet Muhammad. As of March 24, she is still imprisoned.<ref>[http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/pakistan/16720/ Christian Woman Jailed under Pakistan’s ‘Blasphemy’ Laws] - Compass Direct News, March 24, 2010</ref> | *2010 - '''Rubina Bibi''', a Christian woman, was arrested after a Muslim woman accused her of blasphemy. The woman claimed Rubina Bibi made a derogatory remark about the Prophet Muhammad. As of March 24, she is still imprisoned.<ref>[http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/pakistan/16720/ Christian Woman Jailed under Pakistan’s ‘Blasphemy’ Laws] - Compass Direct News, March 24, 2010</ref> | ||
*2010 - '''Munir Masih''' and '''Ruqqiya Bibi''', a Christian couple, were convicted for touching the Qur'an without washing their hands and sentenced to 25 years imprisonment.<ref>[http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Punjab:-Christian-couple-touches-Qur%E2%80%98an-with-dirty-hands,-gets-25-years-in-prison-17778.html Punjab: Christian couple touches Qur‘an with dirty hands, gets 25 years in prison] - Fareed Khan - AsiaNews.it, March 3, 2010</ref> | *2010 - '''Munir Masih''' and '''Ruqqiya Bibi''', a Christian couple, were convicted for touching the Qur'an without washing their hands and sentenced to 25 years imprisonment.<ref>[http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Punjab:-Christian-couple-touches-Qur%E2%80%98an-with-dirty-hands,-gets-25-years-in-prison-17778.html Punjab: Christian couple touches Qur‘an with dirty hands, gets 25 years in prison] - Fareed Khan - AsiaNews.it, March 3, 2010</ref> | ||
*2010 - '''Qamar David''', a Christian arrested in 2006,<ref>[http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Karachi,-a-Christian-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-for-blasphemy-17749.html Karachi, a Christian sentenced to life imprisonment for blasphemy] - Fareed Khan - AsiaNews.it, February 27, 2010</ref> was found guilty of outraging the religious feelings of Muslims and sentenced to life imprisonment for blasphemous messages he sent with his cellphone.<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/national/life-term-for-blasphemy-accused-620 Life term for blasphemy accused] - Ishaq Tanoli - The DAWN Media Group, February 26, 2010</ref> | *2010 - '''Qamar David''', a Christian arrested in 2006,<ref>[http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Karachi,-a-Christian-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-for-blasphemy-17749.html Karachi, a Christian sentenced to life imprisonment for blasphemy] - Fareed Khan - AsiaNews.it, February 27, 2010</ref> was found guilty of outraging the religious feelings of Muslims and sentenced to life imprisonment for blasphemous messages he sent with his cellphone.<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/national/life-term-for-blasphemy-accused-620 Life term for blasphemy accused] - Ishaq Tanoli - The DAWN Media Group, February 26, 2010</ref> | ||
*2010 - '''Imran Masih''', a 22-year-old Christian shopkeeper, was beaten by a Muslim mob, arrested, and sentenced to life imprisonment for burning what a rival shopkeeper claimed were pages of the Qur'an.<ref>[http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/pakistan/14329/ Pakistani Christian Sentenced to Life under ‘Blasphemy’ Law] - Compass Direct News, January 22, 2010</ref> | *2010 - '''Imran Masih''', a 22-year-old Christian shopkeeper, was beaten by a Muslim mob, arrested, and sentenced to life imprisonment for burning what a rival shopkeeper claimed were pages of the Qur'an.<ref>[http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/pakistan/14329/ Pakistani Christian Sentenced to Life under ‘Blasphemy’ Law] - Compass Direct News, January 22, 2010</ref> | ||
*2009 - '''Hector Aleem''', a 51-year-old human rights activist, was severely beaten and tortured in January 2009 | *2009 - '''Hector Aleem''', a 51-year-old human rights activist, was severely beaten and tortured in January 2009 on blasphemy charges after objecting to the destruction of a church.<ref>[https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-7-2011-000496_EN.html The Case of Hektor Aleem in Pakistan] - European Parliament, 19 January 2011</ref> As of 2014, Aleem had been released. | ||
*2005 - '''Younus Shaik''', author of ''Shaitan Maulvi'' (Satanic Cleric), was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment for writing the allegedly blasphemous book about the Qur’an and the Islamic justice system.<ref>[http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=48330&version=1&template_id=41&parent_id=23 Court gives life term to blasphemy author] - AFP - Gulf Times, August 13, 2005</ref> | *2005 - '''Younus Shaik''', author of ''Shaitan Maulvi'' (Satanic Cleric), was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment for writing the allegedly blasphemous book about the Qur’an and the Islamic justice system.<ref>[http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=48330&version=1&template_id=41&parent_id=23 Court gives life term to blasphemy author] - AFP - Gulf Times, August 13, 2005</ref> | ||
*2002 - '''Anwar Keneth''', a 40-year-old former government official, was sentenced to death for declaring that he is the Christ and that Islam is a fake religion. Khalid Gill, a leader and spokesman for Pakistan's Christian Liberation Front, said, "We think justice has not been done in the case of Anwar Keneth. [He] should have been treated at a mental hospital."<ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/2002/jul/19/world/fg-briefs19.1 Man Sentenced to Die in Blasphemy Case] - Los Angeles Times, July 19, 2002</ref> | *2002 - '''Anwar Keneth''', a 40-year-old former government official, was sentenced to death for declaring that he is the Christ and that Islam is a fake religion. Khalid Gill, a leader and spokesman for Pakistan's Christian Liberation Front, said, "We think justice has not been done in the case of Anwar Keneth. [He] should have been treated at a mental hospital."<ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/2002/jul/19/world/fg-briefs19.1 Man Sentenced to Die in Blasphemy Case] - Los Angeles Times, July 19, 2002</ref> | ||
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==In History== | ==In History== | ||
==='Umar bin Al-Khattab's Restrictions on Expression and Speech=== | ==='Umar bin Al-Khattab's Restrictions on Expression and Speech=== | ||
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===Classic Islamic Law=== | ===Classic Islamic Law=== | ||
The following excerpts are from the [http://www.amazon.com/Reliance-Traveller-Classic-Islamic-Al-Salik/dp/0915957728/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255736904&sr=8-1#reader_0915957728 ''Reliance of the | The following excerpts are from the [http://www.amazon.com/Reliance-Traveller-Classic-Islamic-Al-Salik/dp/0915957728/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255736904&sr=8-1#reader_0915957728 ''Reliance of the Traveler: A Classic Manual of Islamic Sacred Law''] (Umdat Al-Salik) by Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri and Nuh Ha Mim Keller: | ||
'''Acts of disbelief (including verbal denials) are punished by death:''' | '''Acts of disbelief (including verbal denials) are punished by death:''' | ||
{{Quote|2='''f1.3''' Someone raised among Muslims who denies the obligatoriness of the prayer, zakat, fasting Ramadan, the pilgrimage, or the unlawfulness of wine and adultery, or denies something else upon which there is scholarly consensus (ijma', def: b7) and which is necessarily known as being of the religion (N: ''necessarily known'' meaning things that any Muslim would know about if asked) thereby becomes an unbeliever (kafir) and is executed for his unbelief (O: if he does not admit he is mistaken and acknowledge the obligatoriness or unlawfulness of that which there is scholarly consensus upon. As for if he denies the obligatoriness of something there is not consensus upon, then he is not adjudged an unbeliever).}} | {{Quote|2='''f1.3''' Someone raised among Muslims who denies the obligatoriness of the prayer, zakat, fasting Ramadan, the pilgrimage, or the unlawfulness of wine and adultery, or denies something else upon which there is scholarly consensus (ijma', def: b7) and which is necessarily known as being of the religion (N: ''necessarily known'' meaning things that any Muslim would know about if asked) thereby becomes an unbeliever (kafir) and is executed for his unbelief (O: if he does not admit he is mistaken and acknowledge the obligatoriness or unlawfulness of that which there is scholarly consensus upon. As for if he denies the obligatoriness of something there is not consensus upon, then he is not adjudged an unbeliever).}} | ||
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{{Main|Muhammad Cartoon Controversies}} | {{Main|Muhammad Cartoon Controversies}} | ||
===The Murder of Theo van Gog=== | |||
===The Murder of Theo van | |||
{{Main|Theo van Gogh}} | {{Main|Theo van Gogh}} | ||
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===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> | ||
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===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 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> | ||
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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Bareilly-based Markazi Darul Ifta, an authority for issuing fatwas, dismissed the fatwas issued by clerics. They stated that since Shahrukh has issued clarification that he was misrepresented in his alleged statements he should not be held guilty.<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> | Bareilly-based Markazi Darul Ifta, an authority for issuing fatwas, dismissed the fatwas issued by clerics. They stated that since Shahrukh has issued clarification that he was misrepresented in his alleged statements he should not be held guilty.<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> | ||
===Malaysian Christians can't use the word "Allah" in worship=== | ===Malaysian Christians can't use the word "Allah" in worship=== | ||
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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.}} | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
{{Hub4|Free Speech|Free Speech}} | {{Hub4|Free Speech|Free Speech}} | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist| | {{Reflist|30em}} | ||
[[Category:Apostasy]] | [[Category:Apostasy]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Atheism]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Shariah (Islamic Law)]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Kafir (infidel)]] | ||
[[Category:Freedom of speech]] | |||
[[Category:Human rights]] | |||
[[Category:Criticism of Islam]] | |||
[[Category:Caliphate]] | |||