Spring Break
Islamic Reaction To Dutch Video Will Be Telling
Greg Pivarnik
Issue date: 4/1/08 Section: Commentary
Hopefully many people, as I do, would see Islamic extremism as it is currently defined - extremism. I would like to give the benefit of the doubt that most Muslims do not believe the violent and hateful rhetoric preached by some of their leaders. I would not like to be defined as a white American by the action of the KKK, neo-cons or even the Bush administration. Every religion and culture a part of their society that will resort to violence to push forward ideologies based on prejudice. It wasn't until recently in human history that wars in the name of Jesus ceased to occur. Even today, prejudice still exists in some Christian circles; against Muslims, gays, Jews, secularists and even other Christians.
Muslims and non-Muslims alike have come out against the video. Dutch politicians have decried the video as racist and assured that Wilder does not hold the view of the majority of Dutch citizens. However, the claims that Islam is a peaceful religion, seem to be redundant when more and more extremists find ways to exploit the religion. A couple years ago there was outrage in the Muslim world at Dutch cartoonists for depicting Muhammad in insulting and degrading ways. There were riots around the Muslim world which resulted in fatalities. There was even the murder of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh, also depicted in the movie, in broad daylight by an extremist that did not agree with the film makers views that Muslims should treat their women more humanely.
It becomes increasingly harder and harder to argue with people on the right that Muslims deserve a chance, that they aren't all violent, when events like these consistently take place. Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and many other people from all walks-of-life, would not even consider the idea of violence in retaliation for a person's prejudiced views. The mere fact that Dutch officials are worried for the safety of their citizens at home and abroad, show that there is an extreme disconnect between the West and much of the Muslim world. There seems to be a significant portion of the Muslim population that do not support freedom of speech in the broadest sense.
Muslims and non-Muslims alike have come out against the video. Dutch politicians have decried the video as racist and assured that Wilder does not hold the view of the majority of Dutch citizens. However, the claims that Islam is a peaceful religion, seem to be redundant when more and more extremists find ways to exploit the religion. A couple years ago there was outrage in the Muslim world at Dutch cartoonists for depicting Muhammad in insulting and degrading ways. There were riots around the Muslim world which resulted in fatalities. There was even the murder of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh, also depicted in the movie, in broad daylight by an extremist that did not agree with the film makers views that Muslims should treat their women more humanely.
It becomes increasingly harder and harder to argue with people on the right that Muslims deserve a chance, that they aren't all violent, when events like these consistently take place. Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and many other people from all walks-of-life, would not even consider the idea of violence in retaliation for a person's prejudiced views. The mere fact that Dutch officials are worried for the safety of their citizens at home and abroad, show that there is an extreme disconnect between the West and much of the Muslim world. There seems to be a significant portion of the Muslim population that do not support freedom of speech in the broadest sense.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Individual Reactions To Dutch Video Should Not Be Misinterpreted
posted 4/01/08 @ 11:56 PM EST
I agree with Mr. Pivarnik in "Islamic Reaction To Dutch Video Will Be Telling" that Muslim societies, like all human societies, have their own problems and shortcomings. (Continued…)
Independent Conservative
posted 4/02/08 @ 9:11 AM EST
To the last commenter: Yeah, that's it...it's just a "tiny minority" or the "extremely few." Have you any more fairy tales to dispense?
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