Common Sense Approach to Cartoon Crisis!
Although it has been five months since the cartoons were first published, the reaction in the Islamic world to the cartoons has been in the form of protests which have not yet died down and it does not seem likely they would.
I want this commentary to be an attempt centering on the different forms of protests and representing a self-critical approach to the protest issue. I should, however, say without delay that the following is an analysis that is not meant to conform to opinions that justify the Western world's version on the freedom of expression. Of course, there is a limit to the freedom of expression which in no way includes insulting somebody else's sacred values.
First of all, we need to admit that the cartoons are only a trick that was played on the Islamic world, a phenomenon that proved true over the course of the recent incidents. The mindset worked out a perfect analysis of what the Prophet Mohammed really means to Muslims; besides, the plans once drawn up on the table are now being staged with seamless precision, just as in a chess game. The opposite mindset, therefore, has to take into account the above-mentioned point and work out the proper form of protest against the publication of the cartoons.
How to react
The scene we have witnessed so far shows that the point at issue is not considered important, either from an individual or a collective point of view. There is and cannot be any criticism of the Islamic thrills and palpitations which are meant to protect the image of the Prophet Mohammed and our other holy figures. A dearth of effort in this respect would be a clear indication of a serious deficiency in the faith. The thrills and palpitations, however, should not have been the only factors to determine the form of protest. The current circumstances and the intentions of the other side should have been a serious subject of rational discussion. Although there cannot/shouldn't be any criticism directed at the thousands -- hundreds of thousands of people protesting in a Muslim manner that perfectly befits the qualities of dignity and gravity, without causing the least turmoil but exercising extreme care over common human principles, national and international political contracts and legal rights, concerning Denmark and other countries where some newspapers published the cartoons, it is very difficult, even impossible to find an Islamic explanation for burning flags, pelting stones on consulates, damaging surroundings, exchanging gunfire with the police, chanting words that are overtly insulting and killing people who share our beliefs. A generalization that has led to virulent enmity for Western values after protests broke out over the publication of the cartoons is another important cause for concern. An outrageous look at the United States and Israel is a clear sign that the crisis has begun to affect several other areas, though neither the United States nor Israel is involved in the cartoon crisis when the course of events is taken into account.
This is the exact frame where the Westerners want/wanted to put us, a picture made up of different shots of the general Islamic world. They rely on what we did wrong in order to justify their policies on the Islamic world to their own people; in addition, they will also go ahead with the implementation of new plans and programs intended to tyrannize, oppress and transform the rest of the world. This is another clear sign that we are on the losing side because we miscalculated the protest method and the level of protests in spite of the justness of our cause.
The cartoon crisis is not the first trick that the West has played on the Islamic world nor will it be the last. In a sense, once the West has clearly detected our weakest point, there is a high probability that new conspiracies will be launched at the same point. From now on, the Islamic world has to start thinking about new strategies of its own against those conspiracies that will most definitely be put into action in due time. It is necessary and obligatory to reflect the true image of Islam before such plots are launched, and to embark on attempts to win over people at all consciousness and obtain information about the forms of protest and the methods of choosing the correct form. Otherwise, as in the case of these protests, we will again be caught off guard, we will resort to similar chants in the streets, throw eggs and tomatoes at things and people, set fire on buildings, shed blood and this will eventually turn into something quite the opposite to what we first intended. Besides, it will also affect the whole Islamic world, have an impact on our future generations and lead to their being further mortgaged.
As the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) says, "A Muslim does not allow the second bite to happen." This obligatory and key expression should be taken as a guide on how to behave in future crises. In my personal opinion, the greatest task rests on the shoulders of leaders accepted by the public rather than on cold-faced officials. If the Islamic history of the 15th century is taken into consideration, the key role played by these public leaders -- either in our personal worlds, or in conflicts between the government and the people, or among the people, or in the massive conflicts with the external world or in wars --- can easily be seen. These leaders could easily accomplish things governments could not, despite its legal authority and military forces. Tension was eased and crowds harboring grudges and ready to kill one another in a minute were made to return to their homes embracing each other. My suggestion is to prepare a master plan for the forms of reactions in possible future crises and to meet with these public leaders. The words, understandings, approaches or clichés uttered in the name of Islam, that is an inseparable part of our identity, should not be an obstacle on our way. In fact, Fethullah Gülen's thoughts expressed as a form of reaction were enough to make many volunteers in many parts of the world act with common sense. The impact of Gülen's expressions, of course, played a pivotal role on the behaviors of these volunteers who are different from protesters burning flags and shouting slogans.
Love of Prophet..
The last point is that the variety of reactions over the cartoons shows how divided the Islamic world is and that there is no need for the powerful states to use their unchanging "divide-and-rule-and-swallow" principle on the Islamic world. On the other hand, these events demonstrate how the love for the Prophet has remained awake among Muslims for 15 centuries. Posters like "We will sacrifice our lives for our Prophet" even at stadiums are probably the first in history and can only be explained through the love of the Prophet. Our task is to use this dynamics in a good way befitting to our Prophet's path. The Qu'ran says: "Events you consider evil could be good and the ones you consider good could be evil. God knows but you don't." Who knows? This cartoon crisis could be good despite the seemingly bad aspects.
ZAMAN
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