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Don’t Be Provoked By Mischievous Elements Over Cartoon Row

03 Feb 2006

The Muslim Council of Britain is deeply concerned by the continuing refusal of several European newspapers to understand and acknowledge the immense hurt they have caused to Muslims the world over by printing gratuitously offensive caricatures of the blessed Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

“We reiterate our absolute condemnation of the decision to publish these images in Denmark and view their republication in other European countries as a deliberate and senseless act of provocation. Newspaper editors must exercise restraint and good judgement instead of adding to the increasingly xenophobic tone being adopted in parts of Europe against Muslims. These newspapers should apologise immediately for the harm they have caused,” said Sir Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain.

The MCB acknowledges the fundamental right of peoples of all faiths to freedom of speech and expression. This does not mean however that they should be free to create social unrest and instability. Neither should that freedom be abused to undermine national interests at home and abroad.

Inevitably some elements may seek to exploit this current crisis to provoke negative or extreme reactions among Muslims. The MCB urges fellow British Muslims to exercise the utmost restraint in the face of these provocations.

“There may be elements that would want to exploit the genuine sense of anguish and hurt among British Muslims about the manner in which the Prophet has been vilified to pursue their own mischievous agenda. We would caution all British Muslims to not allow themselves to be provoked. They should respond peacefully and with dignity at all times,” added Sir Iqbal.

The Muslim Council of Britain

http://www.mcb.org.uk/media/presstext.php?ann_id=187

Wondering how the Prophet (PBUH) might have responded to the cartoons..
As my earliest memory of the islamic teaching about the life of our beloved Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). I would like to briefly recount three of the things I remember:

Prophet Mohammad (pbuh)'s story with the Jewish neighbour who used to THROW GARBAGE at his doorsteps:

The Prophet(pbuh) had this Jewish neighbour. Everyday the neighbour would throw his garbage at the Prophet (pbuh)'s door! Then, one day, the garbage stopped appearing. The Prophet (pbuh) wondered why and asked people about what had happened to his neighbour. He was told that the neighbor was sick and in bed. So, the Prophet (pbuh) went and visited his Jewish neighbour to make sure he’s OK and to wish him well. So touched was the Jewish neighbour that he later converted to Islam.

His (pbuh) story with the people of Ta’if who’s children STONED him (pbuh):

One day the Prophet (pbuh) visited the village of Ta’if near Mecca. He was hoping to find support amongst the people of that area after he (pbuh) was shunned by many of his own tribe in Mecca. Instead of support, he (pbuh) was faced by a mob of children, sent by their parents to throw stones at him. He(pbuh) was hit by the hail of stones. He (pbuh) was bleeding, and was barely able to escape into an orchard. He (pbuh) could have asked for God’s wrath to be brought down upon the village, but instead he (pbuh) prayed that one day these people will see the light.

His (pbuh) story with his tribe after he conquered Mecca:

When the Prophet’s (pbuh) army finally conquered his hometown Mecca, many of the leaders of his tribe were filled with fear. They feared the conquerer’s retribution. Most of them NEVER BELIEVED in him. They TORTURED and KILLED many of his followers and CONSPIRED TO KILL HIM in the early days of his prophethood.

What did the Prophet (pbuh) do? He told them: “Go. You are free!”

* * *

In the spirit of the life of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh): here are 5 ways how the Muslim world could have responded to the Danish cartoons:

Apply to the Ministry of Culture in Denmark to organize a big exhibition about the Life of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and Islamic History. The Saudi and other Arab governments would finance this event and promote it in a big way in the Danish media.

Invite 100 Danish children to come and live with Arab and Muslim families to learn about life in today’s Arab and Muslim world.

Invite the editors of the Danish newspaper to a well publicized cultural debate in Doha, Qatar or Copenhagen.

The embassies of Arab and Muslim nations could commission a website in Danish about Islam, contemporary muslim thinkers and life in today’s Islamic world. A dedicated staff would respond to incoming questions and request for information.

Subtitle the movie ‘The Message’ in Danish and try to get many movie theaters and cultural centers in Denmark to show it.

Extracts from an external site, please click on link:http://www.360east.com/?p=304



	Don’t Be Provoked By Mischievous Elements Over Cartoon Row 03 Feb 2006 The Muslim Council of Britain is deeply concerned by the continuing refusal of several European newspapers to understand and acknowledge the immense hurt they have caused to Muslims the world over by printing gratuitously offensive caricatures of the blessed Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). “We reiterate our absolute condemnation of the decision to publish these images in Denmark and view their republication in other European countries as a deliberate and senseless act of provocation. Newspaper editors must exercise restraint and good judgement instead of adding to the increasingly xenophobic tone being adopted in parts of Europe against Muslims. These newspapers should apologise immediately for the harm they have caused,” said Sir Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain. The MCB acknowledges the fundamental right of peoples of all faiths to freedom of speech and expression. This does not mean however that they should be free to create social unrest and instability. Neither should that freedom be abused to undermine national interests at home and abroad. Inevitably some elements may seek to exploit this current crisis to provoke negative or extreme reactions among Muslims. The MCB urges fellow British Muslims to exercise the utmost restraint in the face of these provocations. “There may be elements that would want to exploit the genuine sense of anguish and hurt among British Muslims about the manner in which the Prophet has been vilified to pursue their own mischievous agenda. We would caution all British Muslims to not allow themselves to be provoked. They should respond peacefully and with dignity at all times,” added Sir Iqbal. The Muslim Council of Britain http://www.mcb.org.uk/media/presstext.php?ann_id=187 Wondering how the Prophet (PBUH) might have responded to the cartoons.. As my earliest memory of the islamic teaching about the life of our beloved Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). I would like to briefly recount three of the things I remember: Prophet Mohammad (pbuh)'s story with the Jewish neighbour who used to THROW GARBAGE at his doorsteps: The Prophet(pbuh) had this Jewish neighbour. Everyday the neighbour would throw his garbage at the Prophet (pbuh)'s door! Then, one day, the garbage stopped appearing. The Prophet (pbuh) wondered why and asked people about what had happened to his neighbour. He was told that the neighbor was sick and in bed. So, the Prophet (pbuh) went and visited his Jewish neighbour to make sure he’s OK and to wish him well. So touched was the Jewish neighbour that he later converted to Islam. His (pbuh) story with the people of Ta’if who’s children STONED him (pbuh): One day the Prophet (pbuh) visited the village of Ta’if near Mecca. He was hoping to find support amongst the people of that area after he (pbuh) was shunned by many of his own tribe in Mecca. Instead of support, he (pbuh) was faced by a mob of children, sent by their parents to throw stones at him. He(pbuh) was hit by the hail of stones. He (pbuh) was bleeding, and was barely able to escape into an orchard. He (pbuh) could have asked for God’s wrath to be brought down upon the village, but instead he (pbuh) prayed that one day these people will see the light. His (pbuh) story with his tribe after he conquered Mecca: When the Prophet’s (pbuh) army finally conquered his hometown Mecca, many of the leaders of his tribe were filled with fear. They feared the conquerer’s retribution. Most of them NEVER BELIEVED in him. They TORTURED and KILLED many of his followers and CONSPIRED TO KILL HIM in the early days of his prophethood. What did the Prophet (pbuh) do? He told them: “Go. You are free!” * * * In the spirit of the life of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh): here are 5 ways how the Muslim world could have responded to the Danish cartoons: Apply to the Ministry of Culture in Denmark to organize a big exhibition about the Life of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and Islamic History. The Saudi and other Arab governments would finance this event and promote it in a big way in the Danish media. Invite 100 Danish children to come and live with Arab and Muslim families to learn about life in today’s Arab and Muslim world. Invite the editors of the Danish newspaper to a well publicized cultural debate in Doha, Qatar or Copenhagen. The embassies of Arab and Muslim nations could commission a website in Danish about Islam, contemporary muslim thinkers and life in today’s Islamic world. A dedicated staff would respond to incoming questions and request for information. Subtitle the movie ‘The Message’ in Danish and try to get many movie theaters and cultural centers in Denmark to show it. Extracts from an external site, please click on link:http://www.360east.com/?p=304						Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was an illiterate but wise and well-respected man, a member of the ruling Quraysh tribe, who was born in Makkah in the year 570 C.E.*, at a time when Christianity was not yet fully established in Europe.More Islam - Threat or Accomplishment At the end of the twentieth century, almost half the world's five billion people are either Christian or Muslim, with Islam growing faster than Christianity. by Thomas Cromwell More Criticism at Pendagon Hindus may consider it odious to use cows as food, but they do not resort to boycotts, threats, and violence when non-Hindus eat hamburger or steak. They do not demand that everyone abide by the strictures of Hinduism and avoid words and deeds that Hindus might find upsetting. But radical Muslims do.More Storm grows - CNN "The cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad are an attack on our spiritual values. There should be a limit to press freedom,"More