Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space. They are published in good faith with a view to enlightening all the stakeholders. However, the contents of these writings may not necessarily match the views of the newspaper.
Freedom of expression or hypocrisy
A rift between France and Muslim nations is growing after French President Emmanuel Macron made irrational generalizations about Islam saying that “Islam is in crises”, thereby linking Islam and Muslims with terrorism and extremism. Also, he insisted not to remove the blasphemous caricatures of Holy Prophet (PBUH) under the garb of freedom of expression. What a contradiction in their sayings and doings: these nations claim to be the flag-bearers of human values, freedom of expression, religious liberty and civility, but, ironically, do not care about the fact that such blasphemous acts hurt the religious sentiments of billions of people across the globe.
I have a few queries: Where is your freedom of speech and religious liberty when you banned hijab wearing? Where is freedom of expression (in lens of your definition) when about 16 European countries criminalise a denial of Holocaust? If the notion of freedom of expression is applicable in ubiquity, how come a ‘Treason Felony Act 1848’ gives a death penalty to those who slander a King or Queen and even their ancestors and descendants?
Ironically, French President promptly calls back his Ambassador from Turkey upon Turkish President’s comments on his mental health finding them derogatory to his dignity. But, what is giving a free rein under the pretext of freedom of speech to insult a Prophet of 1.8 billion people of the world? This is a stark hypocrisy.
ZAHID ALI ZOHRI
Gilgit-Baltistan
Freedom of speech and Macron
The definition of freedom of speech is that any individual can express his/her ideas and opinion without the fear of any censorship, legal sanctions or any retaliation. It’s recognized as basic human right under article 19 of UDHR (Universal Declaration of Human Rights) and in ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights).
This right included freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in the form of art, in print, or through any other media of one’s choice” but subjected to certain restrictions on how to exercise these rights with “special duties and responsibilities, respect the reputation and rights of others, maintenance of public order, moral, health and protection of national security” keeping in mind this article of UDHR and ICCPR, how can a President of a country can insult 8.8% of its total population and 1.8b people of the world.
This is not an act of freedom of speech because it violates basic rights of a large population of the world, it’s indicative of the irresponsible behaviour, creates law and order situation, affects moral and mental health and become a national security issue. Peace can never be achieved if this type of insulting behaviour is constantly supported by those people who are responsible for keeping peace. You cannot allow anyone to make carton of an ordinary citizen because it’s the violation of basic human rights and he or she can dragg you into court for defamation and disrespect!
So how can you disrespect billions of people? Who have unconditionally utmost love, respect and honour for Prophet (P.B.U.H)? Is this not an act of terrorism to incite 1.8 billion people by doing such wicked act in the name of freedom? Your unwise acts will lead to marginalization and polarization of Muslims in France, which will lead to destabilization of peace in the world.
FAYYAZ SALIH HUSSAIN
Karachi
Reopen Church doors
The great enemy of our God ‘Satan’ has been dancing with glee because the governments all over the world have closed church doors since March due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s high time now the government opened them back. Places of worship are essential to all of us and our very way of life as people of God. We are not designed to live in isolation from other believers. We can open them back safely and with precaution. Hearing online Mass on YouTube or on TV is not what God wants us to do.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
Pakistan first
In this ongoing battle for turf, most of the political elite, both from within the ruling coalition and the opposition, along with the paid elite, civil and uniformed, who took an oath to protect the constitution, seem to have gone berserk, transgressing all moral and ethical values. Individual and institutional egos seem to have eclipsed their obligation, which they had sworn to uphold, while taking an oath. Pakistan was created so that its citizens could enjoy benefits of a modern democratic welfare state with all institutions serving the people and not to appease egos of a few, or their insatiable greed.
Whatever the provocations, former Speaker NA should have exercised restraint, irrespective of authenticity or otherwise of what he stated, on the floor of assembly. The Constitution and democratic norms, nor our Islamic heritage, bestows any power to those in power to question the loyalty and patriotism of members of the opposition. Those in power are answerable to the people for their failures and lapses which are evident by astronomical rise in basic food items like wheat, sugar, cooking oil etc., by almost double.
We all seem to have forgotten that powers of the office held by individuals and freedom to practise our faith, or exercise basic freedoms, all stem from the fact that we are citizens of Pakistan and we all owe a lot to this country. Each one of us must pause and do some soul searching whether we have given back to this country what we owe it. Is it just a coincidence that almost every industry which has been a beneficiary of state subsidies and profiteering are owned either by the political elite on both sides of the corridor or powerful state institutions whose role as defined in the constitution restricts them from doing so?
ALI MALIK TARIQ
Lahore
