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Religion

A campaign to promote understanding

Religious leaders hope events will help non-Muslims see why the Mohammed cartoons were offensive.

By JEAN JOHNSON
Published March 4, 2006

Educating non-Muslims about the prophet Mohammed may be the best way to make them understand why cartoons portraying him as a terrorist are evoking such a violent response worldwide, local religious leaders say.

A Danish newspaper, Jyllands-Posten, first printed the caricatures in September. The newspaper has since apologized to Muslims for the cartoons, one of which shows Mohammed wearing a bomb-shaped turban, according to the Associated Press. Other newspapers, mostly in Europe, have reprinted the cartoons, which have caused violent protests in Muslim countries.

Dr. Adel Eldin, a well-known Brooksville cardiologist and a spokesman for Hernando's Muslim community, was a guest speaker recently at the local mosque.

"We would be just as offended if someone did the same to the prophet Moses or Jesus Christ or (the Virgin) Mary," Eldin said, "and I don't feel it falls under freedom of speech because it promotes hate."

Mohammad Sultan, Tampa Bay imam, describes the cartoons as hate speech and says their publication should not be protected.

"There are some things people believe in and hold in value and it's not for others to make fun of or be belligerent," he said. "Freedom of speech means expressing an opinion, but there is a limit, and mocking other beliefs does not fall under the realm of freedom of speech. It's not to make fun of God and it's not subject to jokes."

Sultan, 55, who has been an imam for 15 years, says he hopes teachings of Mohammad and Islam will be effective in revealing the truth about the peaceful prophet.

"We have to reach out and communicate in an effective way to bring understanding to the people," he said.

Ahmed Bedier, director of the Florida Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, agrees with Sultan.

Much of the ensuing turmoil could have been avoided, Bedier said, "but the editors (of Jyllands-Posten) had an arrogant attitude which escalated the problem."

The 32-year-old said the situation was exacerbated by other European newspapers publishing the cartoons. "Islamophobia is the label for this type of anti-Muslim rhetoric, like anti-Jewish cartoons in Nazi Germany."

The way to combat such stereotypes is through dialogue, he said.

"We must show the comparison of how Muslims throughout the world have reacted and how Muslims in the United States have reacted," he said. "There is a difference."

Monsignor John Cippel, rector of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, said the publication of the cartoons shows the ignorance and insensitivity of secular newspapers when it comes to matters of faith.

"Freedom somehow extends to the ability to caricaturize, and caricature can very easily lead to ridicule and may be all right in the realm of politics. Once you extend that to sacred symbols you become very offensive," he said.

Cippel pointed out that this type of characterization is not new to the West, where pundits have lampooned Christians and depicted Christ and the Virgin Mary in a vulgar way. Such is considered freedom of expression.

Cippel pointed to the Vatican's statement last September that said no one should assume the right to offend religious sentiments and that sacred images should never become the object of ridicule.

On the other hand, the resulting violence fueled protesters' prejudice against Christians or others who offended them.

"There have been proposals of more prayer in this season of Lent," said the church leader, "to prevent such occurrences. There also has been talk of an effort to transform these offenses into greater solidarity between Christians, Jews and Muslims."

Eldin said he strongly believes "the best way to make a better world is to have a better understanding of dialogue and expression. We must appreciate differences. God made us different colors, shapes, languages and so on."

The Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Hernando County Muslim community have launched an educational campaign about Mohammed. The council will offer a book and/or a film about the life and teachings of the prophet. Both can be obtained free from the Web site www.cair.com/muhammad

Also, a 15-minute educational series will air on Hernando County's local radio station WWJB-AM 1450, from 12:45 to 1 p.m. each Friday. Each session will offer information on Mohammed and/or the history of Islam. For information, e-mail Eldin at ameldin@pol.net

The Rev. Robert Donlan, rector of St. Anthony Catholic Church, will host a public forum from noon to 1 p.m. April 2 at the church, 20428 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. The Muslim community will provide snacks and coffee.

[Last modified March 4, 2006, 01:46:12]