More Fatwas on the way on Anti-Islamic film maker

There is no shortage of opportunists in the world. No one has exclusive monopoly on being an idiot; members of every race, religions, nationality and ethnicity are in this game together, particularly the politicians. This essay is about a $100,000 bounty offered on the head of the anti-Islamic film maker from Pakistan. Iran would be the next one to issue.

Mirza Ghalib is an Indian poet who has written a couplet on every possible situation in the world. Here is a couplet on this situation in Urdu/ Hindi language;

"Bewkoofon ki koi kami nahin ghalib,
Ek dhoondho hazaar milte hain."

There is no dearth of idiots O Ghalib,
Look for one, thousands will emerge.

Humor first. Some 40 years ago, I read in Shama Magazine  about a boat that was violently rocking in the middle of a storm in the Atlantic Ocean near Bermuda, everyone was scared to death and were desperately panicking. One man stands up in the boat, his friend says, what the hell are you doing? He says, “Praying”, the friend laughs, you are the worst sinner in the world, and you believe in prayers? The man tells him to shut up and stands up anyway, and calls every one to join him in the prayer.

After a long spiel, he says Dear God, we seek your help, please calm the waters down and save our lives….

Fifteen minutes later, the storm subsides and the boat safely reaches the coast, after everyone got off the boat, they fell on this man’s feet and praised him to no end… you are a saint, you are a man of God... and on and on, and the man was basking in the lavishes.

His friend pulls him over and screams in his ear, you liar, what if the storm had sunk us all?

The smirking chimp responds with a smile - then no one would have been there to question me, right?

The moral of the story is - a cunning man, Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, a minister in Pakistan is offering a bounty of $100,000 on the maker of the Anti-Islamic film.  He has got nothing to lose but gain from it because that bounty is as good as asking God to help win the Mega Million lottery.

New York Times reports, “A Pakistani cabinet minister on Saturday offered a $100,000 reward for the death of the person behind the anti-Islam video made in the United States that has roiled Muslims around the world, even suggesting that Taliban and Al Qaeda militants could carry out the killing.

The next one in line would be President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, who is losing out in Iran with the sanctions, and the only way out for him is to show to his people that he fears no one but God, and he will get a fatwa issued on the film maker as if it is a heroic thing, and a few will fall for it.

A few idiots in American politics may be hatching schemes to turn Obama upside down, and may get a few fake threats issued by the numerous,  dime a dozen repugnant radical Al-Qaeda type of gangs, upon which I hope Obama will not act in-judiciously to prove that he is macho man.

Romney may have nothing to lose like that man on the boat, and say, “If I am the president, I will bomb them to Oblivion” and make Obama look weak. Romney may win my support, if he were to say, “If I am the president, I will emulate President Obama, and chase those bad individuals and get them, just like the President got Bin Laden and Awalaki, instead of bombing the countries to smithereens and screwing up America, and American economy." Would he do that?

I urge men and women on the right, particularly Limbaugh, Coulter and my friend Sean Hannity, not to make a political capital out of this. It will encourage more chaos, and it is not good for America. Let Romney and Obama fight on their character and abilities. Let the best one for America win. I am a Republican and I want the best man (at this time, next time, I pray it would be a woman) to run this nation. Romney has a lot of explaining to do to come close to Obama at this point. We do need some one who can turn things around or at least not screw it up.

President Obama and Hilary Clinton did not apologize to any one over the violent incidents in the Middle East, they simply pointed out to the Pakistani public through their adverstiments videos that the movie was disgusting, that we respect the sentiments of people of faith. The movie was not supported by America, it was made by a looney and we have to freedom in our country.

We have to watch out for the fatwas and the political schemes and not react unnecessarily, its a game to them and we don't need to get sucked into the fakies.

Mike Ghouse

Texas Faith: Religion and the right to free speech

http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/09/texas-faith-religion-and-right-to-free.html

Freedom of Speech is understood in two different ways; one group believes that irresponsible statements must be controlled and censored by the government, whereas the other group believes in complete freedom of speech.  It’s an alien idea for us, the Americans to imagine that Government can control free speech.

Of course, freedom of speech is an inherent value of all religions, without which no religion would have come into being, or would have flourished. Islam and Christianity are the biggest beneficiaries of that freedom.

A few representatives of Islam believe in killing the person who insults the prophet, though they sound like loonies, they are not. They are (mis) guided by the books, not the Quraan, or the Hadith (sayings of the prophet), but the books written up in the last 100 years. They have a solid back up in those books, no amount of talking or quoting Quran will do any good.

Hold it, we cannot write them off, we need to work with them for the common good, and we have to be inclusive in finding sustainable solutions for the benefit of all. What is good for Muslims has got to be good for others and vice versa to sustain the goodness.  

The hypocritical righteousness permeates in all religions; no one has a monopoly over it. This past week, I have become an Ambassador of American value in engaging with people from around the world in explaining the ultimate common good that freedom of speech facilitates. I used the phrase "Freedom of expression ultimately triumphs", as a corollary to Mahatma Gandhi's "truth ultimately triumphs".

I have written a few pieces, but was asked by many to write a full paper on the topic with the intention of finding short and long term solutions. I wish I was an Ambassador to the Middle East to seek, initiate and get the Muslims scholars to issue opinions (fatwa) to be delivered in Friday Sermons across the Muslim lands, it would have handled the short term solutions. I am writing the paper to produce long term solution and seek your thoughts to be included as a quote. I am asking people of different faiths to pitch in their thoughts.

Please remember our suggestion must encourage people to consider replacing the old books with the new, they need to see the value in it. 

To give a general idea of where I am going, here is my weekly column at Dallas Morning News

TEXAS FAITH: Religion and the right to free speech

The situation in the Mideast and North Africa has been fluid the last week, and no one knows how exactly events will turn out. But it is clear that a clash of values is sparking at least part of the conflict. As our editorial said last week, if not in Libya, then certainly in Egypt and Yemen, we have seen yet another clash between religion and free speech.

One side saw their faith being defamed and believed that justified a violent response. The other side believes that free speech protects even idiotic films.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this kind of conflict. We saw it, for example, after a Danish cartoon lampooned the Prophet Muhammad. And we probably will continue to see this tension between religion and free speech.

With that in mind, here is the question for discussion: If religion is about ultimate values, doesn’t it stand to reason that some will see it as trumping the right to free speech?

MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas.

Clash of values is an appropriate phrase in this particular context, it is just not the Muslims, but the entire world differs with us on the value of freedom of speech. It’s an American value and not necessarily a western or a Christian value.

This last week, I have become an Ambassador of American value in engaging with people from around the world in explaining the ultimate common good freedom of speech facilitates. I used the phrase “Freedom of expression ultimately triumphs”, as a corollary to Mahatma Gandhi’s “truth ultimately triumphs”.

Thanks to Google for turning down the request to yank the film clip on Innocence of Muslims from YouTube.  I hope this sends a message to Muslim nations that even the President of America cannot meddle with the freedom of speech guaranteed in our constitution, a good solid enduring system of laws. So, it is not America, it was the individual who made the movie. Most Americans, including American Muslims have condemned the trailer and the idiot who made it, but are willing to defend his right to the free expression.

However, we must value the responsibility of the state to protect her citizens, and if this is what it takes to save the lives of Americans elsewhere, it may be considered as a short measure. In long run, however, we must not compromise on free speech that is a God given right and hallmark of civilizations.

Most of the world has laws restricting the freedom of speech, Europe is no exception. One of the most common challenges I have encountered is restrictions placed on, and the punishment prescribed for questioning the Holocaust.

If religion is about ultimate values, doesn't it stand to reason that some will see it as trumping the right to free speech?

Indeed, if we lived in exclusive societies of a particular brand of Muslims, Jews, Christians and others, their brand of religion would trump the right to free speech. Thank God, America is God’s own country and diversity is an anecdote to extremism.

After so much destruction and ill-will, the Mufti (chief clergy) of Saudi Arabia and the Brotherhood have issued statements that it is un-Islamic to do harm to people and property in the name of the prophet.   The problem with the Muslim world is they do nothing when problems erupt, but American Muslims have responded instantly with advice and condemnation.

I am writing a paper on finding sustainable solutions to the clash of values.  Shamelessly Islamists like Maududi, Banna and others have cooked up books that declare if someone insults the prophet, he can be killed. Over a period of time, we have to replace those books systematically ( through mutual agreements and consensus, no impositions).

There is a clash of ignorance, as Imam of the Ismaili Muslims; HH Aga Khan explains it in another situation. In this particular situation what the Quraan and the Prophet call for is different than it is practiced. A segment believes that if someone insults the prophet, he should be killed, whereas the majority believe in freedom of faith, the God-given freedom and believe killing one person is like killing the whole humanity. The majority also believes that your mind your business and I do mine.

The only good news is that the ones involved in the violence were less than a 10^th of 1% of the populace.

Muslims have failed God, prophet and their religion. Quraan (5:32) is  clear - Killing one person is like killing the whole humanity, and saving one life is like saving the whole humanity.  We need to get them and not others. Why should a religion be responsible for your bad acts?

Prophet Muhammad said, “if you are unjust to a fellow being, Muslim or a non-Muslim, by God on the Day of Judgment, I will stand against you and stand up with the victim.” That was a strong warning that these criminals did not heed.

Those who murdered Ambassador Christopher Stevens and his staff members, and those who are vandalizing our embassies were purportedly defending the name of Prophet Muhammad, but have done the exact opposite of their intention; tarnish the name of the prophet. 

Muslims have failed God, prophet and their religion.  

Texas faith is a weekly column, where panelists from different traditions respond to the issues of the day - for all the responses, please visit Dallas Morning News at  http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2012/09/texas-faith-religion-and-the-right-to-free-speech.html/
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Note the last four paragraphs are an addition to what is in Dallas Morning News.

Mike Ghouse is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike is a frequent guest onSean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News and regularly atHuffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. The blogwww.TheGhousediary.com is updated daily. 

Google rejects White House request to yank the trailer innocence of Muslims

I was really surprised the white house had asked Google to take out the film clip on Muhammad from YouTube.  But I can see it as a responsibility of the state to protect her citizens, and if this is what it takes to save the lives of Americans elsewhere, it may be considered as a short measure. 

I hope the rejection sends a clear message to other nations that even the President of America cannot meddle with the freedom of speech guaranteed in our constitution. So, it is not America, it was the individual who made the movie, that is our culture and that is a norm in our society.

In behalf of the World Muslim Congress, a think tank and a discussion forum, I  condemn the movie, a disgusting movie. The killing of our Ambassador Christopher Stevens in Benghazi and his staff is not acceptable and the criminals must be hunted down and punished. The violence that has erupted from the trailer of the film Mohammad is abhorrent and condemned by Muslims without a reserve.

Those Muslims who murdered Ambassador Christopher Stevens and four staff members, were purportedly defending the name of Prophet Muhammad, have done the exact opposite of their intention; tarnish the name of the prophet. 

We cannot compromise on the core value of our civilization; freedom of expression. It is not what the bad guys say or do, it is what "you do”  that matters. Quraan has great advice on that - to paraphrase the verse; if someone mocks God and the prophet, politely get out of the discussion, and it further advises, if you mock other people's way of worship, they are bound to say similar things about your faith and the situation gets worse.

The freedom ultimately triumphs, restrictions are not good for anyone in the long haul. I would not want America to be any different than the America that beckoned me. I don’t want America to become a Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Sudan or an Iran where harassment of the minorities is routine. Shamelessly the harassment is part of their constitution. Once again, it is against the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, who said no man is superior to the other and runs like the equal opportunity statement. 

As an American and a Muslim, I will stand by the wisdom of the founding fathers of this nation. No compromise on free speech, even if it maligns my faith. By the way my faith is not weak to get maligned by idiots, its been around for 1400 years and God willing it will be there through the Day of Judgment,  and no one can hurt it. God protects it.

The violent eruptions in the world cannot go on, and together, we the community of nations must close the loop, and restore justice to build a cohesive world, where no one, (particularly the minorities) has to live in fear of the other.

 In the long run, we should never compromise on a good thing that is the bedrock of civilizations; freedom of expression.

The Muslim Brotherhood surprised me with the following statement by Dr. Mahmoud Hussein, Secretary-General of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, “affirmed that when the group called for today’s rallies in front of mosques across Egypt, in honor of the Messenger of God, its objective was to allow all Egyptians to express the anger and outrage felt by all Egyptians, in peaceful demonstrations outside mosques all over the country, and not focus on Tahrir Square alone.” They even guaranteed freedom of expression. 

John Stuart Mill published a book on liberty in 1859 that has become a classic defense of the right to freedom of expression. “Mill argued that truth drives out falsity, therefore the free expression of ideas, true or false, should not be feared.” Mill also argued that “free discussion is necessary to prevent the deep slumber of a decided opinion". And, “An opinion only carries intrinsic value to the owner of that opinion, thus silencing the expression of that opinion is an injustice to a basic human right.” For Mill, the only instance in which speech can be justifiably suppressed is in order to prevent harm from a clear and direct threat. Neither economic nor moral implications, nor the speakers own well-being would justify suppression of speech."

Blaming Islam is the useless thing to do, Islam did not authorize them do the wrong they have done. They have done it on their own. Each one of the 312 Million Americans follows the same criminals laws, 99% of us obey them, where 1% doesn’t. We don’t’ blame our laws for those that don't abide by them; we blame the bad guys and incarcerate them.

The criminals are always good in blaming someone else, in this case Islam. We should not be gullible enough to buy their argument and start barking at religion instead of the criminals.

Prophet Muhammad had said, “if you are unjust to a fellow being, a non-Muslim, by God on the Day of Judgment, I will stand against your and stand up with the victim.” That was a strong warning that these criminals did not heed.

Quraan 5:8, "O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah , witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is acquainted with what you do. (al-Ma'edah 5:8)"

Had Muslims not made a big deal out of it,  no one would have known about the film and no one would have seen Muslims in bad light.

Islam is the biggest beneficiary of free speech. Can you imagine a Christian, Hindu or other preaching his religion openly in Muslim nations? On the other hand, it is the free speech in Europe and Americas that has allowed allowed the business of conversions to thrive.

Islam is a beautiful religion to me, to make me a better human and a better citizen. Islam is not about governance, as we stand, we cannot and will not have the Islamic government in the spirit it was conceived, all we get would be ugly versions of imposing and dictating others and telling who or who is not a Muslim.

Our values are agreed upon through consensus, Ijma as we call it in Islam, and will keep the society in equilibrium and as God created us; free.

Freedom of expression must be defended and protected.

 Mike Ghouse is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer onpluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News and regularly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. The blogwww.TheGhousediary.com is updated daily. Talk/Text (214) 325-1916

Google rejects White House request to pull Mohammad film clip

http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/09/14/us-protests-google-idINBRE88D1MD20120914

By Gerry Shih

SAN FRANCISCO | Sat Sep 15, 2012 3:34am IST

(Reuters) - Google Inc rejected a request by the White House on Friday to reconsider its decision to keep online a controversial YouTube movie clip that has ignited anti-American protests in the Middle East.

The Internet company said it was censoring the video in India and Indonesia after blocking it on Wednesday in Egypt and Libya, where U.S. embassies have been stormed by protestors enraged over depiction of the Prophet Mohammad as a fraud and philanderer.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Ambassador to Libya and three other Americans were killed in a fiery siege on the embassy in Benghazi.

Google said was further restricting the clip to comply with local law rather than as a response to political pressure.

"We've restricted access to it in countries where it is illegal such as India and Indonesia, as well as in Libya and Egypt, given the very sensitive situations in these two countries," the company said. "This approach is entirely consistent with principles we first laid out in 2007."

White House officials had asked Google earlier on Friday to reconsider whether the video had violated YouTube's terms of service. The guidelines can be viewed here

Google said on Wednesday that the video was within its guidelines.

U.S. authorities said on Friday that they were investigating whether the film's producer, Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, a 55-year old Egyptian Coptic Christian living in Southern California, had violated terms of his prison release. Basseley was convicted in 2010 for bank fraud and released from prison on probation last June.

(Reporting By Gerry Shih; Editing by Toni Reinhold)