12:57 AM

Facebook Ban in Pakistan Over "Draw Muhammad Day"...

...and I think it is stupid.

The Draw Muhammad Day is an event on facebook which invites enteries, asking people to draw their idea of what the prophet stands for, simply put. Islam happens to prohibit drawing pictures of Humans, and hence in general everyday life people  show their affection and pay respect to their prophet using calligraphy rather than portraits. However "prohibted" these drawings be, I want to know, is the hysteria that it causes accordingly justified?..

a bit of background:

"Everybody Draw Mohammed Day!" began last month as the brainchild of a Seattle-based cartoonist named Molly Norris, who was appalled by Comedy Central's decision to censor an episode of "South Park" that depicted Muhammad in a bear costume.


As a way to protest the network's decision -- which came after an Islamic extremist website warned of retaliation against the show's creators, Matt Stone and Trey Parker -- Norris created a poster with likenesses of Muhammad as a domino, a teacup and a box of pasta.


She declared May 20 "Everybody Draw Mohammed Day!" -- and her efforts quickly went viral, spawning several Facebook pages with thousands of followers dedicated to the event.


They also prompted a "protest" movement by thousands of other Facebook users opposed to it.

Now for some people everything is Kosher; We know that Matt Stone and Trey Parker are that sort. I believe they have the right to be like that. Makes them insensitive, yes. Does it justify crucifixion of these two? Should they be burnt alive? I'll say no.

Its things like these, the reactions so extreme (remember killings of innocents, banning of Danish products) that make people perceive Muhammad to be an angry arab with a turban, probably with a suicide bomb hidden in it. Isnt the caricature that we are drawing in the minds of so many nations and peoples, not blasphamous? Isn't that an insult to your believes? a contradiction?

Also what does the governement plan to achieve from this ban? Have they not heard of proxy sites? Have they never been on the internet? What about freedom of expression? What about my right to choose whether I want to leave facebook for this one event or not? Shouldn't it be my call? Can we not do something more substantial towards building a better image of the Prophet and its followers than this?

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

The facebook ban is, indeed, insane. That is no way to deal with the situation at hand.
However, when it comes to certain sensitive religious issues; they ought to draw a line.
Just like it is a crime to question the holocaust or debate the actual number of jews who were murdered (one can actually go to jail for this), they shouldn't go around insulting other religions.This is racist behavior at its best.

Amna K said...

True. Muslims (extremists-terrorists-assholes) are responsible for the wrong perception Non-Muslims possess about our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Annie said...

@Anon
I agree, that religion happens to be a sensitive issue. I can understand a love like that. I have that for my family. A mother has it for her child. Its universal. However its the way people and our government have dealth with it, which is the problem. If it was so critical a request could have been put out. Muslims all over could freely choose to not go on facebook for a period of time, or create their own groups and events or have a certain status update.

There are decent ways to differ from other, and react to certain situations, which don't violate human rights and this my friend is not the way to do it.

Unknown said...

Well put Ainy

Mad Gir| said...

Very well said .. Most of pakistan ppl think dat by banned v r doin protest @state level
liked ur last para..
so clear n ryt wid ur point u r ! and that is !

Also what does the government plan to achieve from this ban? Have they not heard of proxy sites? Have they never been on the internet? What about freedom of expression? What about my right to choose whether I want to leave facebook for this one event or not? Shouldn't it be my call? Can we not do something more substantial towards building a better image of the Prophet and its followers than this?

Thumbs uP!! (y)

basim said...

i wrote an entry on my blog, check it out, you might like it...

http://basimsblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/they-want-you-to-watch-porn-you-sillys.html

Suleman said...

Anon:
I agree while ppl have made fun of other religions no body is actually allowed to quiestion the holocast. if it is freedom of speech the world wants to talk about why were the iranian cartoons regarding the holocast deemed censor worthy.

Annie:
while the ban on facebook is quite pointless especially considering its actually going to promote more users to go in and check that group. but at the same time some educated ppl have created groups like introduce the prophet muhammad day in retaliation which is an awesome way to educate the ignorant muslims and other religions of what islam is about.

mayank said...

Its the sad state everywhere in South East Asia. People go up in flames over the slightest of issues.. be it India or Pak. May be coz of our closeted society bt watever...

Nice post though....

[ http://whatthefckisgoinon.blogspot.com/ ]

Anonymous said...

hi annie, i came across your blog and had to read more and more of it. just wanted to say that and that i really enjoy it and can relate to so much! also: belated congratulations on getting married.