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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?==
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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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*'''[[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 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>
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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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