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| Published in Dawn, January 19,2015 |
AT the outset, let me proclaim that I am not Charlie Hebdo as I don’t support mischief. I don’t endorse immeasurable hurt Charlie has caused to innumerable human beings across the globe. I don’t support freedom of speech which steps on the freedom of respect and dignity of millions. I make a distinction between freedom of speech and abuse.
I am not Charlie, as I know the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed for even those, who cursed him, abused him and even hurt him.
I see many of the great human beings who revered the Holy Prophet with salutations. Michael Hart believes the Holy Prophet is the only man in history who was supremely successful on both secular and religious grounds. A man who always chose peace over violence. A man, who preferred words rather than the sword. I know him as the prophet who would not kiss his own children in front of an orphan.
I am not Charlie as I am not a bigot. I can’t validate drawing a lie. I can’t preach a lie. I consider slander a sin and a heinous crime. I am not a Muslim phobic, French phobic, or a Hindu phobic. Despite the mischievous acts of Charlie Hebdo, I still don’t believe all French are ill-behaved. Hence, I won’t approve of a cartoon that insults the French nation.
Let me also say, like Charlie Hebdo, I am not an extremist and a misguided militant. I can’t approve of the Paris killings. I condemn them. I don’t support the men who retaliated for a prophet who never favoured retaliation.
I am not a militant because he killed a human being and did nothing to defeat a wrong idea. Killing the men is not a solution but killing wrong ideas can ensure peace.
Mujahid I. Mughal
Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
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