Click here (USAToday) to view a series of photos surveying this past week's growing protests against a movie (made by an American) that denigrates Islam's holiest prophet, Muhammad...
What are your reactions/thoughts about such widespread (and increasingly violent) anger? Is it indeed all about the Prophet? Are there other societal factors/frustrations involved?
11 comments:
It amazes me how much a film can influence a series of actions. This reminds me of All Quiet on the Western Front, an American made film from a German novel, when it was released in Germany and the Germans freaked out and did everything they could do ban that film and other films like it.
I don't think that it's necessarily all about the Prophet because there are so many other factors that are put into this movie, like basic stereotypes against Muslims. I watched the trailer for another class it this film is very much an anti-Muslim film. I understand the reaction that the Muslims are having but they didn't need to go as far as attacking the Embassy and kill a U.S. ambassador along with three other people.
Saryn
This whole situation makes me sad. I wish everyone could just learn to get along. Because there is so much anger of course love leave's so the situation becomes complicated. I looked at the pictures and saw some people highly concerned. We are missing out on so much learning between the groups but no one is thinking about that. I do not think this situation is completely about the prophet. I think people are seizing this opportunity to voice their displeasure about Americans.
Lisa
"Religion has brought humanity more war than peace"
AD Williams
Lisa
I feel that these pictures show that even when we try to help other countries they are ready to hold all of us responsible for the acts of one or two individuals. This is regretful since they (the muslims) don't want us to hold all muslims to blame for the acts of the fanatical terrorists. I would wish that they could understand what a double standard that is.
Bob
I agree with what Bob had to say. More though, is that this was definitely about more than just the film. The Middle East is already in a state of unrest and it needed an ignition, not matter how small. The creator of the video, I think, obviously didn't think through the consequences of his video because of his own anger toward the islamic religion, and cultural differences. In the United States such a film would be condemned and people would be angry about it and the creator may be pressured into taking it down, but unless criminal intent to purposefully incite a panic or violent reaction can be proven, there are no legal consequences. As the sign held up in one of the pictures from the USAToday said, "blasphemy is not free speech, it is an unpardonable crime." I think the filmmaker didn't take into consideration this cultural difference and many islamic people didn't much care about the cultural context. That being said though, there are reaction demonstrations to the riots by others of the islamic faith showing signs that say that the islamic faith is not about this kind of violent action and doesn't support the actions of the rioters.
-- Sydney Rosenbalm
I think that this film just added more fuel to the fire with all that is going on now between the U.S. and other countries. It is very sad that so much violence and anger is taking place, it seems that as soon as one fire is put out, another one ignites. I do not think that it is all about the prophet. As I looked through the pictures it seem some people were protesting but more peaceful than others and really want change for the situation. Others seem very angry, acting out violently and appear that they may have already been a part of rebellious groups. I think they just wanted a reason to act out.
Katrina
These protests are definitely not about the Prophet himself. There is so much going on here at this intersection of faith, politics and nationalism, and mass media that to try to dissect the situation in a comment is impossible. However, seeing so much violence and anger makes me uneasy and greatly saddened. Religion is so deeply divisive, a topic which cuts straight to people's most fundamental reasons for being - it is not something over which to throw stones and alienate those who are different. One cannot discern the intention of the film's creator so as to effectively (and accurately) justify or condemn their actions (which wouldn't be our place anyhow), but, much as everyone has said, the film's production has served as a dangerous ignition to the current tension and anti-American sentiment in the Muslim world.
Sophie
Although I have not seen the video, from what I have read, I do not think it is all about the Prophet. To be honest, I think it portrays blatant ignorance towards Islam as a whole religion, not just towards Muhammad and his life. In what I have come to learn in other classes I have taken, is that for the most part, Islam is a very misunderstood religion. The Quran does not inherently promote violence, however we almost always only hear of the extremist actions that occur, which is perhaps where this video gets it's basis. These extremist actions (i.e. Islamic terrorism resulting in suicide attacks, kidnappings, etc, aimed at the US [although not only the US]) obviously cause tension, and along with ignorance of the Muslim faith, possibly provided the foundation of societal tension for the creation of this film.
I read on NBC that "the Quran forbids any depiction of Muhammad, and most Muslims regard any attempt to insult him as highly offensive," making me feel that the very intention of this film was to spark anger among Muslims, which makes me very upset. While the outburst of riots is unfortunate, I think it represents how strong people are in terms of their faith and it angers me that the maker of this film felt entitled to disrespect and discredit the belief system of Muslim population.
Lauren Cavanagh
Outstanding comments, folks. Very thoughtful and nuanced reflections about the incredibly complex and tangled dynamics between ancient religions and modern politics, economics, and culture at large.
The ignorance, intolerance, and demonization of Islam by some people here and abroad undoubtedly exacerbates the latent tensions lurking among the related-yet-distinct Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, Islam). Even NBC gets it wrong when it states the Quran forbids any depiction of Muhammad (it does not: the aniconic tradition is much later, and has only become dominant in the past few centuries; thanks for the heads-up on that source, Lauren).
This is not to say, of course, that the religious misunderstandings and resentments don't flow in both directions; they clearly (and sadly) do, with increasingly bloody consequences.
pdk
The film was a catalyst, the straw that broke the camel's back. The strained relationship between Western and Islamic nations has been reinforced by misunderstanding and blind hate. Islamic nations are typically non-secularized, having their government intertwined with religious practice. The Muslim identity is not solely religious, it typifies an existence. While the film was produced by individuals, it is representative of the skewed notion that each American is one of ignorance and hostility. On the reverse, the actions of extremists have come to typify the whole of the Muslim religion. I find the photograph of the Muslim woman at the candlelight vigil especially poignant.
Regardless of what the film says about the Muslim faith this is ridiculous. Words are only words, they have only as much power as we lend to them. These protests unfortunately show the intolerance of parts of the Arab world. It saddens me to see so many justifying what is happening. Protests are one thing but violence is quite another thing.
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