Innocence of Muslims

 

The ghastly conspiracy in the making of the film by above name and the universal anguished response of unsuspecting Muslims to its advertisements on internet raises a number of very significant questions.

1.       How do you classify it? The modern anti-Islamic campaign by bigoted Christians seems to have started around the 15^th century in Europe with the publication of Dante’s Inferno containing extremely objectionable material about Prophet Muhammad and Ali bin Abu Talib followed by a stream of paintings depicting scenesof Christian religious wars against Arab Muslims. They demonstrate elements of both sadism and masochism. In present day jargon it could be called artistic terrorism.

2.       Who is responsible? As far as the latest episode in this twisted crusade is concerned the heinous acts were performed by US citizens on US soil with the aid of US communication companies; and therefore the government of the USA should be held responsible. The lukewarm reaction of the US leadership rejecting the film is neither here nor there. They need to decide whether they are “with us” or “against us.” They need to do something (and more of it) about stopping this menace which occurs every now and then in the NATO territories and France.

3.       What drives the Christian Extremist? The extremist Christian is, in his own way, dedicated to the glory of Christianity and has some distorted knowledge of its basic values. But he is also confused by the vulgar manner in which the venerable personality of Jesus (I’sa) son of Mary (peace be upon them) is often treated in the West. When he studies Islam he realizes that this is where true Christianity lies. It seems logical that he should join Islam. But he cannot rise above the centuries old prejudices nor can he give up his vices and addictions. The result is that he develops an irrational attitude.

4.       Why target Muhammad? If you take out the two basic differences then there is nothing between Christianity and Islam: Muslims do not accept Trinity and Christians do not accept Muhammad’s prophethood and there can be no compromise on that. So the only way the extremist Christian can win in his contorted imagination is by vilifying, abusing and slandering Prophet Muhammad because if it wasn’t for him, Christianity would have dominated the entire world. It does no harm to Muhammad (peace be upon him), but it hurts the Muslims all over the world.

5.        What to do? If you are one of the Christian or Muslim war mongers who believe that a war between Christians and Muslims is inevitable, let the hatred grow. The sooner we get over with it the better. But if, like me, you believe that people of various nationalities, cultures, faiths, skin color and languages can live together in peace and harmony then try to talk sense into the bigots and the extremists wherever they are. If you do it consistently, it has to work.