Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #8 Islam: Two Perspectives: "Find where Islamic religious beliefs intersect with current events. Research a Western news source on the story and summarize the article fr..."
The event I have picked was called the Lars Vilks Muhammad drawing controversy. This was a very controvesial event which began in july 2007 when Swedish artist; Lar Vilks, made a series of drawings that depicted the Islamic Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) as a roundaboutdog (a form of street installation in Sweden). It was controversial bnecause im Islam it is strictly forbidden to draw images of any prophet, not Just Mohammad, but also Moses, Jesus, Noah, and Abraham (pbut). But the key concern is that the use of images can encouarge idolatry, where the image becomes more important than what it represents.
The event caused widespread anger across the Muslim world and protests in several Muslim countries including Iran, Pakistan. Afghanistan, Egypt, and Jordan. In response, a protest in support of free speech began in 2010 which was called the ''Everybody Draw Muhammad Day''. The protest involved people drawing pictures of Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) and Putting them up on facebook. In retaliation, a few countries including Pakistan banned facebook for about a week. Pakistan also banned youtube during the same week. The whole event caused widespread controversy. On the one hand, makers of the image argued their freedom of speech while one the other hand the muslims argued thier right to protect the respect of their beloved Prophet.
There were several internationd reactions that followed. On the 28th August 2007, The President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, commented on the drawings during a press conference. He was quoted as saying;Religions call for friendship, equality, justice, peace, and respect for divine Prophets. The Zionists only pretend to believe in religion. They are telling lies. They are perpetrating opperesion against the Europeans and putting at risk and prestige of Europe.'' On the 30th August, the swedish charge affairs in Islamabad, was summoned to the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs to receive a similar protest from the Pakistani government. The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs later issued a statement where it condemned the publication ''in the strongest terms''. On the 31st August, protestors in Pakistan burned the Swedish flag in the cities of Karachi and Lahore. Furthermore, on 1st September, the Afghan newspaper, and the Kabul Times published a statement which condemned the drawings, and on 3rd September, the Egyptian Ministry of Religious Endowments also condemned the publication.
In conclusion, the whole event was very controversial and something that could have been avoided very easily. If only, people learned to respect the traditions and beliefs of other people. The world would be a much more peaceful place then.
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