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April 26, 2010

Ahmed Rehab: Contrived cartoon controversy


Ahmed Rehab, executive director, Council of American-Islamic Relations-Chicago

The latest Muhammad cartoon controversy, courtesy of Comedy Central’s South Park, seems somewhat contrived.

The protagonists in the original controversy of 2005 consisted of a fairly mainstream Danish newspaper on one hand and mobs of angry, and sometimes violent, protesters on the other.

The protagonists this time are a couple of jokesters who openly offend people for a living on one hand, and a single posse of five “Muslims” on the other (whom we know very little about).

First, let’s take a quick look at the offenders.

Cartoonists Trey Parker and Matt Stone suffer from what one could call “self-importance.” They are part of a growing group of people who believe they are the flag bearers of free speech on behalf of the Western world; for them, there is only one way to test the limits of free speech: offend people’s sacred sensibilities.

Let’s consider that logic for a moment.

A sacred thing is something or someone you have utmost reverence for, it does not have to be divine; it could be your mother or your child, for example.

Now, imagine if your elderly mother is riding on a bus; would you harbor some expectation that others, for whom she may not be sacred, would still treat her with respect?

That is to say: while they may not sanctify her as you do, they will at least refrain from insulting, harassing, or offending her – even though they have every “right” to not stand up for her, give her a dirty look, or even call her “an old hag” under protected free expression and speech.

Is that not a basic Western societal expectation? Is there not a healthy balance between freedom and decency that has long existed as part of our Western tradition?

Now imagine if I actually insult her - just because I can.

And imagine if I then play the “hero” card, expecting praise and glory for being the flag bearer of Western values of freedom.

Imagine if those who characterized my actions as unreasonable and indecent were then condemned as thin-skinned prudes and enemies of free speech who wish to tie us down with their personal norms of “decency.”

OK, now let’s move on to the offended party, a group that calls itself “Revolution Muslim.”

Their sin is not that they were offended but that they delivered a veiled death threat to Parker and Stone. That makes them radical goons whose threat ought to be seriously investigated.

But, what does that say about other Muslims?

Nothing./p> <>Yet the breaking headline everywhere was that “Muslims” once again attack freedom of speech with death threats.

Well, we have already addressed the “freedom of speech” canard. Now let’s deal with the “Muslims” canard.

How about some context?








WARNING,,, Isn't it ridiculous!
How far fear can go,
A bear ,, Gee I guess we will take bears out of zoos next! Someone may remember that Muhammad was once disguised as a bear.
Personally I take no offense because Muhammad mean nothing to me. He is not my God, He is meaningless as well as powerless in my sphere of things,
Think about it... Muhammad needs people to stand up for him, He doesn't have the power to zap those who oppress him, like in the old testament the great I AM did.
He cannot heal the blind or cure disease of raise people from the dead as Christ Jesus did.
So why should we kow tow to any group of people who claim its blasphemy,
WE ARE LIVING IN THE USA.... not an Islamic country.
If this were an Islamic country I would defend the right of the Islamic's to do as they please regarding pictures or anything else that was not against human rights or human decency regarding someone they hold sacred whether I believe their way or not.

I agree most Muslims are not doing the murdering its a smaller part of the population that agrees with the radicals.
BUT<<< If you dont agree with the killings, the slaughter, using your own children for live bombs THEN STAND UP AND BE COUNTED AND HEARD AND RISK YOU LIVES FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Enough said,, I am saddened that good human beings allow their own children to be killed, their Mosques to be centers of perverse dialogue for death and destruction rather than the betterment of the people,
Where are the people who love their religion and stand before their God and say Thank you for all you do for us. Thank you that I am at peace, Thank you that I may live to see what you promised.
We may believe differently yet I believe that God has the power to accomplish what He wants for all people, and in all people with out hate.

Great article - you really cut through to the point. Keep doing what you're doing.

To Mr. "MontyMoose" - the little sense I can make from that absurd rant you call a "comment" is totally off. You are not a good American. American values teach us to respect everyone, no matter where they come from or what creed they adhere to. If you can't do that, then you don't belong here.

Thank your this piece. What is strange is the hype surrounding this story especially when the vast majority of Muslims as you wrote is "go on mocking, we'll go on praying." This group Revolution Muslim needs to be investigated, why the hell are they getting so much attention when they are just five people?

MontyMoose, the Caps do not do your post justice, they make you look like a raving lunatic. Besides, you are going off on a tangent. The article is about freedom of speech and Muhammad cartoons, it seems some people are just looking for any opportunity to vent on unrelated "evil Muslim" matters. Stick to the topic of the article.

I thought Mr. Rehab made an excellent point about the idea of self-accountable free speech and the balance between freedom and decency we, as a western society, apply - except when it comes to religion it seems, esp. Islam and Catholicism. Also, it is true, most Muslims.. no, ALL Muslims, but for this shady group did not bat an eyelid as a result of South Park's depiction. So let's not get carried away with our whining about how Muslims just can't handle free speech, bla bla bla, which a lot of media are doing.

Luckily not this blog, thanks Seeker!

Thank you for speaking out. But I do not believe the controversy is contrived.


Again, thank you for giving voice to this attitude. It is a great one to have. But as to the bus analogy -- well, I think it's different, in that South Park is known for caustic and hard-hitting satire. It's billed as such, and no one is forced to watch it. It's not like getting on a public bus. If I brought my mother on a bus-line billed as "The Make fun of everyone Bus," well, I would expect what's coming. South Park isn't leaving South Park territory when making it's joke, but the new "this is now off limits to joke about" standard (whoever imposes it)and subsequent censorship is in fact invading South Park's territory.

I understand South Park's style is not for all -- but I do think that their level of over-the-top, caustic comedy has its place and function. I am able to smile when my beliefs are attacked (such as my Christianity), while still respecting them (and maybe questioning and refining them, as good satire should make one do). I feel I'm better off for being able to do this.

That after so many savage jokes, only one should be off-limits (thus butchering an episode of a show many of us love), it is to be expected that many would be angry. This anger should not be misplaced, but the censorship does set a dangerous precident -- if you think you shouldn't be made fun of, make a death threat.

I think this does rise above mere contrivance. Either everthing is ok to make fun of, or nothing is. It would be wrong for South Park to give "South Park Treatment" to everyone but one. I understand the anger at this, and the importance of speaking out against it.

Islam is prison, especially for peaceful muslims, who Mohammed says aren't muslims at all:


1. The bus analogy would have more salience if it weren't the case that almost all of your readers are members of groups that have been the target of South Park's crude humor. That you seem to have just now noticed that Parker and Stone are offensive when it's your particular oxe being gored is not remarkable. They can be jerks, and they have been for the past eight years. Where were you then?

2. Very few Catholic priests abused children, and fewer bishops protected them. Yet, we Catholics are undergoing a long dark period as a result of their actions. This is the way things are.

The pro-life movement will likely be paying for Scott Roder for some time to come. And it would be worse if some pro-lifers sent out pictures of Dr. Tiller to threaten other abortionists.

"our founding truth". Typical silly cut and paste job with no context. Same game can be played with the bible to more detrimental effect. You've proven nothing but the disingenuous nature of your intent.

I am not a raving lunatic, nor a wild fundamentalist, You are correct tho, I am angry. I am angry that the tail wags the dog. We have become a nation where the minority is upheld and the majority is swept under the rug.. this is of course only my opinion. The world reminds me of the book 1984, words have become opposite of what they mean.
Any person goes in explodes a bomb killing myriad of innocent people in a shopping center, or hides in a hospital or mosque, or use children for human shieds while firing weapons upon our soldiers that is OK and the world press is almost silent.
When we try carefully to pursue the war, and we are not perfect, a person who is not a combatant is killed or maimed , the propaganda machine makes a huge hue and cry painting us as monsters.
I will say it once again.. and I am not ashamed... As a Christian i believe that people have to make a decision about Jesus,.
He is one of the "L's"
A Liar, He lied to everyone about who he is....
A Lunatic, He was self deceived and thought he sent from God
Lord.. which is who he claimed to be.
So my choice is Lord, and there for to me, allah is not god and Islam is a false
religion whose followers are deceived.
Lastly... I have seen pictures of Jesus that are horrendous to me.. but would any Christian today say a picture or characture of Jesus that misrepresented him should cause a person to be put to death.. its ridiculous.
Go South Park... .

Oh, man suffering from self-importance indeed! Listen, pally, THEY have the ear of millions of young Americans, and whether you like it or not, they all learned a valuble lesson from this experience, you on the other hand, have an unpronouncable name a load of BORING rhetoric. So, my friend, "self-importance" is not a diagnosis you ought to rightfully be giving...

There is a fundamental flaw in the logic that some people seem to present when in agreement that this censoring was the right thing to do. This is especially easy to see when it just happened in a country whose constitution was made by individuals who agreed to not favor any specific religion. If this is allowed to happen then it would stand to reason that the main figures in every religion should also be censored against, otherwise there is favoritism towards the Islamic religion over all the others.

However, more to the specific point of the South Park episode and the analogy that was presented of a public bus system…

South Park has a clearly defined rating system, claiming to be for mature audiences and that it may contain scenes, language etc. that may be of an offensive nature to some viewers. One is not forced to watch the show; you can turn the channel or go do something else. Therefore by watching the show you are in effect agreeing to and accepting the conditions of the show. To watch a show that claims it may be offensive, and then get offended... well gee.

You can't in any way compare this to riding a public bus where you are bringing onboard someone or something you hold sacred.

People may not have a choice when using the public bus system. It may be their only method of transportation. Therefore it would of course cater to as many people as possible without promoting anything that would offend anyone.

However, if a particular bus system had a warning that riders may witness scenes of an offensive nature, and rider discretion was advised; The fault would solely be on you, if someone insulted your sacred someone or something in yours and his/her/it's presence. You were warned, thus it is your fault.

The key here is that the viewer is given a choice and is warned in advance of what to expect if they choose to continue and watch.

As for Muslims getting a bad rep in the media... Well it is true that the media makes it look like many if not all Muslims are bad. While in reality this is certainly not the case. It is indeed a small fraction, who are radical extremists causing most of the problems. However these radicals all seem to be spawning from the Muslim community; we don't see other religions with radical groups actively threatening to kill people nearly as often.


If the above statement is true, then why does the Muslim community allow groups such as “Revolution Muslim" to exist?

What I would like to see in the headlines is: "Muslim group gathers in protest outside Muslim radical building demanding a cease to the debauchery of their good name and religion."

In closing;
Freedom of expression and speech goes far beyond what one may think it entails. It allows one to openly challenge and question without fear of being subjugated or incarcerated to punishment or prison for voicing their ideas, thoughts or point of views. To claim freedom of expression and speech and then attach conditions as to what it can be applied towards; results in there being no real freedom of expression or speech at all.

Good Day.

Salaam Alaikum

Brilliantly written piece and you do not disappoint me one bit.
We met years ago when I worked for Zakat Foundation and I have always respected your ability to dissect a situation and explain it in clear terms.

Very well done.

Masha'Allah, thank you for pointing out the context of this situation. I'm tired of people asking me if I want the South Park people to die, simply because I have a scarf on my head. I am an American convert, I grew up watching South Park, and I know that their teasing is meaningless - they may think it's heroic, but that's a sign of their own delusion, rather than any idea that America is somehow censoring speech.

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