PRI: Public Radio International

Pakistani politician calls on U.S. to ban blasphemy

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 11:00:00 -0500

In the wake of the video "Innocence of Muslims," protests have swept the Muslim world. While Pakistan came late to the protests, the country's Muslims and political leaders are calling on the U.S. to make such blasphemy illegal.

Nikos Retsos

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:41:51 -0500

The Muslim protests against the U.S. are not really about the anti-Islamic video. Since the 1979 Revolution in Iran, the U.S. has been heralded by the late Ayatollah Khomeini, and many Imams in the Muslim world, as "The great Satan." Add to that: a) The blind U.S. support for Israel. b) The U.S. invasion of Iraq. c) The War in Afghanistan. d) U.S. Predator Drone strikes in Pakistan and Yemen that have killed hundreds -if not thousands- of civilians. d) The U.S. sanction on Iran that have been denounced by 120 countries at the Non-Aligned Movement Conference in Tehran recently. All that has left an anti-American hostility simmering across the Muslim world.

Then came that U.S. originated anti-Muslim video, and it was like dowsing that "simmering hostility" with barrels of gasoline! The video was just the spark that ignited it, and turned it into a conflagration! For the Muslims, it was insult on top of all past U.S. injuries, and in their psyche it was "The straw that broke the camel's back!" Nikos Retsos, retired professor

________________________________

Constance V. Walden

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 14:10:39 -0500

Who is going to determine what material is blasphemous or not? A Muslim, a Christian, a Jew, a Buddhist?

In the Old Testament of the Bible, in Isaiah 9:6, Jesus is called, "Mighty God"; and, in the New Testament of the Bible, in John 10: 30-33 Jesus said, "I and the Father are One." This was considered blasphemous talk by the Jews who heard Him say it because He was making Himself equal with God. They wanted to stone Him for it.

There is no doubt that the scriptures above are considered blasphemous by Muslims. Does Mr. Malik want the United Nations to stop such writings as above as blaspheme against his Muslim beliefs, as well?

Derpman

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:02:09 -0500

death to all religions and the people who follow them

Imran Saeed

Sat, 22 Sep 2012 01:22:27 -0500

Best way to protest is to Boycott US products and stop NATO supplies. I request every one to come out to stop NATO supplies. No politician of any party speak about that why ????

Jo Jo

Sat, 22 Sep 2012 01:45:04 -0500

Derpman, I'm a follower of Jesus Christ. You just said death to my Savior and King and God. That's blasphemous to me and I call for it to be banned. You also said death to me. That's jail jack!!!!

JOHN

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 18:30:33 -0500

I AM SICK OF RELIGIOUS PEOPLE OF WHATEVER KING, EXPECTING THAT OTHERS SHOULD LIVE BY THEIR RULES. PAKISTAN CANNOT MANAGE ITS OWN BLASPHEMY LAWS. FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS ONE OF THE HALLMARKS OF THE U.S. GOVT. WHETHER OR NOT YOU BELIEVE IN THE PROPHET, OR JESUS OR ANY OTHER, IT IS MY RIGHT NOT TO BELIEVE, TO SPEAK MY MIND, AND TO BE SAFE (IN THIS COUNTRY) WHILE DOING SO. JUST BECAUSE ONE MAY BELIEVE SOMETHING, DOES NOT MAKE IT TRUE. BELIEF AND KNOWLEDGE ARE NOT THE SAME THING.

john

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 10:37:22 -0500

The rioting, burning and killing are a far worse crime than any cartoon, and much more disgraceful. The cartoon did not kill anyone. Fanatics did the killing. I agree it is better not to offend people if it can be avoided, but there can be no freedom of speach if nothing can be said that offends someone. You rioters have disgraced Islam and the Prophet.