The subject of protests

Muslims around the world have turned out en masse protesting Pope Benedict XVI's remarks about Islam. The Pope has said he was sorry Muslims were offended by his speech. In a statement released Saturday, the Pope said he respected Islam and hoped Muslims would understand the true sense of his words.

In a speech Tuesday, the Pope quoted a 14th-century Christian emperor who said Prophet Mohammed had brought the world only "evil and inhuman" things. Many political and religious leaders in Muslim countries criticised the remarks and called for the pontiff to make a personal apology.

I understand why Muslims may have been offended by the Pope's words. I also understand why they were upset by political cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed. But if Muslims are offended by words and cartoons, why aren't they offended when their religion is hijacked by people like Osama bin Laden and his followers?

Those extremists commit terrorist acts and kill innocent people all over the world, claiming they are true believers and their inhuman behaviour is justified. So why hasn't the Muslim world protested en masse? Such terrorism and brutality is against every tenent of Islam and against every rule of Shari'a law.

The Koran does not condone violence or murder. Why aren't Muslims more vocal about those who dishonour the Muslim faith by committing these atrocities? The deadly acts of terrorists - who claim to be good Muslims - are far worse offenses than words and drawings. Why aren't the Muslims protesting Shi'as and Sunnis slaughtering each other in Iraq? Where is the outrage??!!

Comments

[Marilyn]

I don't know how it played out over there, but the press coverage I saw here made it almost seem (about the Pope's remarks) like, what's the big deal? I couldn't help but wonder how right-wing American Christians would have responded if he'd been speaking about Jesus...

[Ali la Loca]

Just as I'd like to see this kind of mass revolt from Muslims, I'd like to see it from the Zimbabweans who have, for the most part, stood by and watched for the past 6 years as their country is flushed down the tubes by their "presiden for life."

It's interesting to see what conditions are necessary for a population to rise up, join together and protest an offense.

Do you think that the lack of a cohesive Muslim identity may be one of the main reasons there has been no mass revolt thus far?

[tongue in cheek]

First, I do not think the Pope should have used that example. He knew he would step into a fiesty hornet nest with those remarks. And secondly, bravo Tara for saying it pinpoint perfectly!
Relgioious leaders, put the word love before your eyes, hands, and heart...

[Kerstin]

Well said, Tara. Your words echo those I left in a comment on the BBC website.

What also amazes me is that these groups of protestors do not seem to realise that their often violent reactions (burning churches, statues and flags) prove EXACTLY the point they feel so offended by.

Christianity carries its own burden of a brutal past but today I don't see many Christians applying force and extreme violence in an effort to destroy non-believers.

Sadly I believe that a lot of the Muslim protestors that we see on TV are probably brainwashed and not being exposes to the full picture. I doubt that many of them have for instance even read the Pope's whole speach, let alone tried to understand his intention. And how come that these protestors always find the time (do they not have jobs?) and resources to take to the streets so quickly and well prepared with flags etc?

The worrying thing is that prejudice and judgment keeps growing on both sides and I dread to think of the consequences.

[Catalina]

Aren't those terrorist just using their faith to justify what they do? I guess a lot of muslims are absolutely against that, and that is why they have and are suffering as targets, terrorisme targets as well. In Irak, Afganistan, Algeria before, etc. There are a lot of political issues covered by religion..

[melba]

Very interesting post. I hadn't thought that much about how there is not an outrage against the terrorists from Muslims (that I am aware of) Why?

[tamarika]

Hmm ... your words reinforcing my thoughts. I love it when that happens! Thank you.

[Michelle]

I think there are similarities in Christianity. We are supposed to love our neighbor, do unto others as we'd have others do unto us and so on, but how many Christians actually demonstrate those values?

I haven't read enough of the Koran to know for certain if it promotes peace or not, but human nature takes over, regardless of creed.

[miss*R]

yes, yes, yes!!! I came here this morning hoping that you dear Tara had words about this and I wasn't disappointed. thankyou.

[AscenderRisesAbove]

you raise interesting questions; I will return often to read the exchange of information on this and to learn more.

[geek+nerd]

You could not be more right - and I've read through the comments above, the Muslim world so desperately needs a positive leader/model. There are many people here in the United States who do not know that the Koran contains, and all they see of Muslims and Islam is a group of extremists ready to harm. I wish that everyone here could see and understand that not all Muslims are bad people. It's just perpetuated hatred.

[Becca]

What an outstanding point you make, once again. The outrage in the Muslim community is most certainy misplaced. All too often, people are afraid to speak out against the really important injustices, and find other, safer outlets for their dissent.

[Bonnie Rae]

"But if Muslims are offended by words and cartoons, why aren't they offended when their religion is hijacked by people like Osama bin Laden and his followers??"

SO true.

Thanks for a great, thoughtful ( and thought provoking ...) post !

[jzr]

Once again, Tara, you've hit the nail on the head. I've wondered this for a long time now. We are living in a time when people are afraid to speak out, whether they be christians, jews or muslims. Whatever one has to say will offend somebodyelse. We're afraid that that somebody will come and silence us. Of course, the Pope wouldn't do that, so it's safe to speak out against him. It's so very sad.

[Tammy]

I thought the pope was wrong in what he said. It's not helping anything causing more division and confusion. I worry about the loud silence from the majority of Muslims too.

[Deborah]

Tara ... "But if Muslims are offended by words and cartoons, why aren't they offended when their religion is hijacked by people like Osama bin Laden and his followers??" ...you nailed it girl. I suppose it is easier to blame 'others' than having to look inside one's own faith or community and examine where things are going wrong.

[Colette]

It's still the same old story. People in glass houses throwing stones. Indeed, where ARE the protests by these same Muslims against all the deadly acts committed in the name of Mohammed and Allah???

[Scott]

"Good" Catholics do it..."Good" Christians do it...."Good" Muslims do it....it's selective theology. It is not their guiding principles that go wayward...it is their interpretation. Of course, the curse of interpretation is why God told Adam and Eve, "hey kids....stay away from that Tree of Knowledge."

[annie]

Tara, go to my other blog. This subject jumped out at me and I have a couple of news articles posted there. Read the earlier one first.

You make a very good point about Muslim perspective. They are all about being offended about their prophet but do not protest horrible actions taken in his name. I support Benedict's desire for dialog but unlike John Paul's success with Communisim, Benedict most definitely has a more difficult path. I admire his intelligence greatly and wish there was as equally substantial and influential an individual in the Muslim world.

[Laura]

You are RIGHT!!! I hadn't thought of the reaction to the pope's remarks this way (what did he expect???), but you are absolutely, 1000% right! The world so needs a group of charismatic moderate Muslim leaders who can reclaim Islam and lead the world away from the precipice that Islamic radicals and Bush and Co have landed us on.

[Kisane]

You've put into words what I've long thought. Instead of ranting and raving over words and pictures, why aren't moderate Muslims up in arms when innocent people are kiiled by bombs in Bali or Egypt by their own Muslim brothers!? Why aren't they tearing the Afghan countryside apart to locate Bin Laden who twisted the Koran to support his cause against the West?

Everyone (non-Muslim) is on edge these days trying to tiptoe around the reality of what is, and what they personally feel. Muslims are crying out that they're being victimised. I think they should take a good long look at themselves.

[berriesplace]

"I understand why Muslims may have been offended by the Pope's words. I also understand why they were upset by political cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed. But if Muslims are offended by words and cartoons, why aren't they offended when their religion is hijacked by people like Osama bin Laden and his followers?"

This is EXACTLY what I don't understand..why aren't they, it took the POPE to piss them off???? The pope? why are they not pissed off about muslim terrorist hiding under the guise of Islam?....I mean I think the proof is in the way that muslims in the middle east have allowed terrorism to take hold and grow..they have done little to nothing to stop it...do they approve of it???? I am in no way against Islam, but it does NOT seem to me that they practice what they're preached.