Denmark newspaper, Jyllands-Posten published 12 cartoons insulting the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) in 2006.
This is what followed:
DIPLOMACY
ARAB countries asked the Danish govt and the newspaper for an apology. They refused. Diplomatic pressure was applied and Ulama of the world took the matter to the UN.
Other European newspapers then printed the cartoons in solidarity with Denmark. This led to Libya and Saudi Arabia recalling ambassadors to Denmark and a boycott of Danish products.
REACTION
THIS STARTED Muslim reaction with protests, some violent, in all parts of the globe. Muslims spoke with a united voice.
In SA, the Mail & Guardian printed one of the cartoons and the Jamiatul Ulama of Gauteng got a court interdict preventing SA papers from printing them. Ulama called for a boycott of the Sunday Times which wants to appeal the ban.
Marches were held in Cape Town (50,000), Pretoria (15,000) and Durban.
NOBLE PERSONALITY
THE PROPHET (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)’s status is outlined in the Qur’aan:
The Prophet is closer to the believers than their own selves… [33:6]
How should a Muslim respond to such a situation? Peaceful protest marches, petitions, using the legal apparatus of a country to stop the cartoons, letters of protest to embassies of countries that printed the cartoons, letters to media and a boycott of any paper that printed or wanted to print the cartoons.
LESSONS
OUT OF THIS came some lessons for Muslims:
- Unity on common beliefs,
- Adopting the Islamic alternative in all matters,
- Ridding ourselves of the influence of non-Muslim media in all forms especially via filthy TV programs, newspapers and magazines,
- Instilling the spirit of Islam in all things we do, everyday and not only when something happens.
