THIS refers to the article ‘The Charlie Hebdo challenge’ (Jan 27) by Ashraf Jehangir Qazi. All Muslims deeply revere the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), and the tradition of freedom of expression deeply wounded the sentiments of Muslims. However, there is a lesson here for all of us.

Where this controversy hurt our emotions, in the same way the unethical speeches made by our people in the media and often in mosques, especially during Friday prayers, similarly hurts the sentiments of others.

We should feel guilty about the kind of words used about persons of other faiths. A common narrative, for example, is that ‘all religions are false, except Islam’. Is it not blasphemous to criticise the religion of others, and their prophets? Who gave us the right to pass judgemental sentences such as these?

There is dire need for both sides to reflect, for this is a clash of ignorance. If we study the life of our Holy Prophet, there are plenty of anecdotes where he forgave non-believers who misbehaved, and prayed for their ignorance to be lifted.

Farhan Jumani

Karachi

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2015

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