‘People Know The Consequences’: British Muslim Cleric Says Islam Does Not Allow Freedom Of Expression
Radical British Muslim Anjem Choudary has published an op-ed piece in USA Today justifying the attack this week in Paris on satirical French magazine Charlie Hebdo, saying that Islam does not recognize freedom of expression.
Freedom of expression does not extend to insulting the Prophets of Allah, whatever your views on the events in Paris today! #ParisShooting
— Anjem Choudary (@anjemchoudary) January 7, 2015
On Wednesday morning (Paris time), three gunmen opened fire on the offices of the French magazine, which has previously published cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed (strictly forbidden in Islam), killing 12 and seriously injuring four, according to this Inquisitr report. The attack was allegedly in retribution for the cartoons.
In his opinion piece, Choudary opens be reminding readers that to Muslims, to insult Mohammed is more offensive than insulting one’s family.
“Muslims consider the honor of the Prophet Muhammad to be dearer to them than that of their parents or even themselves. To defend it is considered to be an obligation upon them.”
He then goes on to chastise Western governments, which enshrine freedom of expression and yet abuse Muslims (through surveillance of Muslims and laws which seem to affect Muslims specifically).
“The truth is that Western governments are content to sacrifice liberties and freedoms when being complicit to torture and rendition — or when restricting the freedom of movement of Muslims, under the guise of protecting national security.”
He then blames the French government for allowing Charlie Hebdo to publish the cartoons, saying that by allowing such freedom of expression, the publishers essentially brought the terrorist attack on themselves.
“So why in this case did the French government allow the magazine Charlie Hebdo to continue to provoke Muslims, thereby placing the sanctity of its citizens at risk?”
Anjem Choudary has made something of a name for himself in Europe as being one of radical Islam’s most outspoken apologists. Sitting down for an interview with the Guardian writer Andrew Anthony in September, 2014, Choudary dismissed any allegations that ISIS was involved in any crimes against humanity, defended the practice of crucifixion, and named ISIS “Caliph” Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as the leader all Muslims throughout the world should recognize.
Anjem Choudary, needless to say, does not speak for all Muslims. A report by the Times of Israel quoted several prominent Muslim clerics who condemned the Charlie Hebdo attacks, including Qatari Sunni cleric Sheikh Youssef Qaradawi.
“We, scholars of the Islamic nation, strongly condemn any action that sheds the blood of innocents, spreading corruption on earth, whoever the perpetrators are and whatever their religion.”
Do you believe that Western governments’ treatment of Muslims leads to terrorist attacks such as the one on Charlie Hebdo? Sound off in the comments below.
[Image courtesy of: International Business Times]
