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OPINION & EDITORIAL

Muslims do not deserve stereotype

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by Letters to the Editor
Tuesday, February 21, 2006

This is regarding the cartoon of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that you regrettably chose to publish in "Sacred Images, Sacred Rights" (Feb 13).

The cartoon represents a typical stereotype of an "extremist Muslim." The only anomaly in the cartoon is that this extremist is supposed to be Muhammad (pbuh), the Prophet of Islam. To a "western" audience, it is perplexing as to how just a cartoon can cause such hurt. It succeeds because 1) it denigrates the Prophet and 2) it reinforces widely held Muslim stereotypes. It tries to paint in a single brush for audiences here at home the reality of Muslims in this world. Muslims are not of one color. They eat different foods and come from very different cultures. They also speak very different languages. But all these varied peoples symbolize a single stereotype: that of a man with brown skin, a beard, a turban, and angry looking facial expressions and features.

However, even this stereotype — abhorrent in itself — was previously limited to depiction of an "extremist Muslim." By associating the Prophet of Islam with it, the cartoon extends the stereotype to every Muslim in this world. This stereotype is then taken as the "Muslim race" and since it is so violent, and uncivilized, it then deserves to be insulted and ridiculed. This debate is not about free speech, it is about hate speech. It is about racism.

Undoubtedly we have seen this cycle repeat itself in history many times. First, knowingly or unknowingly dehumanize "them." Then, punish "them" for the perceived wrongs committed. Lastly, repent for the "horrible things" that "some people" committed after the deeds are long done. Ask the Native Americans, the African-Americans, and the Jews. They will agree. I am sad to see The Badger Herald become an outlet for hate speech and racist views. You have just succeeded in setting back the effects of interfaith dialogue that Muslim communities here in Madison have been engaged in since [sic] many years.

As the controversy simmered in Europe, although highly offended, I could only pity at their ignorance. I was and still am proud of the fact for the maturity that has been shown by the U.S. press in general concerning this issue. For me, as a Muslim however, the controversy came home when The Badger Herald decided to publish it. I was reminded of what the editorial board thought about my religion and consequently my ideals. That the man who I consider a moral exemplar of the highest degree, is a terrorist and so must be my most deeply held social bearings and values. I ask how can there be dialogue when one is ridiculed and insulted. How can I "fearlessly sift and winnow" amid an attempt to target a minority group on campus?

Ultimately, you are defined by what you choose. The Herald chose to show the cartoon. I choose to forego reading the Herald.

Thanks,

Faiz I. Syed UW School of Medicine and Public Health


Anonymous (February 21, 2006 @ 7:53am):

"This stereotype is then taken as the "Muslim race" and since it is so violent, and uncivilized, it then deserves to be insulted and ridiculed."

Insult and ridicule all you want, just stop the Muslim murder and mayhem. Did the Muslim mob "dialogue" with the priest that was burned alive in his church?

Anonymous (February 21, 2006 @ 7:56am):

Faiz, if you haven't forgone reading the Badger Herald yet, please read this:

Over the past 1200 years Muslims have done their share of mudslingin, slandering and persecution of Jews and Christians, not to mention oppression of Hindus. Hey, nobody likes to be offended but it happens. What's happening now is backlash against Muslims for failing consistently to take up the cause of human rights. I don't advocate persecuting anyone because of their religion, but Muslims have lagged far behind in this area. We still have yet to see any real commitment from the worldwide Muslim community on the issue of human rights. Muslims still to this day cling to their anti-Jewish roots. It must end now. Otherwise the backlash will continue. We have no choice.

Anonymous (February 21, 2006 @ 8:10am):

"Muslims are not of one color."
"It is about racism."

You can't play the race card.

SUBMIT OR DIE - that is Islam.

Anonymous (February 21, 2006 @ 11:16am):

I'm Jewish, yet when the Muslim press or Muslim leaders make hate-mongering statements concerning Jewish people or Israel, I do not burn down the Syrian or Egyptian or Iranian embassy.

Anonymous (February 21, 2006 @ 11:50am):

the muslims deserve every stereotype thats used against them down with mulhamad and islam

Anonymous (February 21, 2006 @ 12:29pm):

Interesting. You choose not to read the Badger Herald, yet, you also choose to use it as a medium for expressing your point of view -- the exact purpose of an independent newspaper. For that reason, I applaud the Herald's decision to publish the cartoon.

Anonymous (February 21, 2006 @ 2:47pm):

This is all about the subversive moslem leaders using democracy as a trojan horse as they plead for us to be 'tolerant of their intolerance.'
the religion of peace/submission has hijacked another plane, this one has 1.5 billion people. unfortunately, these folks have been taught for generations to shut up and blow up.

Anonymous (February 21, 2006 @ 2:56pm):

"Muslims are not of one color. They eat different foods and come from very different cultures."

Yes, and the different Muslims kill each other, because that is the nature of their religion.

I'm sick of the Muslims on campus saying they will boycott the BH, as if to punish the free press, and at the same time I have yet to hear any Muslim boycott Islam for its murderous, hateful teachings.

Maybe what the domesticated Muslims in West need is a new name. Maybe Progressive Islam, or Islams For Peace, and to do some active work to bring this barbaric religion into the modern era.

Muslims will be assoicated with violence because Muslims are violent. You can't expect people to treat you fairly when you belong to a religion that uses murder and violence to further its goals. How is this for fair treatment: I don't hate you, I hate your religion.

You cannot make the distinction between terrorism and Islam. All the terrorists we see in the middle east are muslims and commit terror in the name of their religion. It makes no sense to talk about terrorism without talking about islam.

The western world is more than willing to live peacefully with the muslim world. We attempt peace talks. We deliver aid to starving countries. We give technology to the world. But we are sick of the barbaric, murderous actions of the Muslim world. Muslims do not want peace. Muslims want to kill anyone who does not practice their specific form of Islam.

Anonymous (February 21, 2006 @ 3:11pm):

The incredible thing about the ongoing Kristallnacht against Denmark (and in some places, against the embassies and citizens of any Scandinavian or even European Union nation) is that it has resulted in, not opprobrium for the religion that perpetrates and excuses it, but increased respectability! A small democratic country with an open society, a system of confessional pluralism, and a free press has been subjected to a fantastic, incredible, organized campaign of lies and hatred and violence, extending to one of the gravest imaginable breaches of international law and civility: the violation of diplomatic immunity. And nobody in authority can be found to state the obvious and the necessary--that we stand with the Danes against this defamation and blackmail and sabotage. Instead, all compassion and concern is apparently to be expended upon those who lit the powder trail, and who yell and scream for joy as the embassies of democracies are put to the torch in the capital cities of miserable, fly-blown dictatorships. Let's be sure we haven't hurt the vandals' feelings.

http://www.slate.com/id/2136714/

Anonymous (February 21, 2006 @ 3:48pm):

We need to be more tolerant of the islamic world's intolerance.

Anonymous (February 21, 2006 @ 4:19pm):

"I choose to forego reading the Herald."

Ooooh. I bet that one is really going to hurt them, considering it is a free paper.

Anonymous (February 21, 2006 @ 10:42pm):

it is not just a handful of muslims tarnishing the image of the so-called religion of peace. maybe it was so once upon a time, but i'm afraid the ground reality is that wherever there are muslim's today, there is violence. you name the region...middle east, indonesia, kashmir, sudan, somalia, bosnia. i like the idea proposed by one of the comments regarding progressive islam. if the so called modern muslims believe that all this violence has nothing to do against their religion, why are people not publicly distancing themselves from their uncultured brethren? surely, if people are not willing to do that, it is hardly fair of them to criticise fair speech. the message people like faiz are sending out is..."no big deal if other muslims blow up the world, but if someone else labels islam as a source of trouble, well thats just wrong".

Anonymous (February 22, 2006 @ 8:56am):

I wonder what so-called stereotype is incorrect when a Muslim people elects terrorists (Hamas) to be their government. I wonder what stereotype displayed by a cartoon equates in force to worldwide riots against the cartoon, or riots in France, or people blowing themselves up in Palestine, Israel, Iraq to kill innocents, or blowing up a wedding event in Jordan or according to polls of Muslims people's expresses that the vast majority of their people approve of such demonstrations of Islamic extremist. Is the so-called stereotype not confirmed?

Anonymous (February 22, 2006 @ 3:50pm):

"I wonder what so-called stereotype is incorrect when a Muslim people elects terrorists (Hamas) to be their government."

I wonder what makes America so different. Does Bush ring a bell?

Kyle Bruce (February 23, 2006 @ 11:14am):

Anonymous (February 22, 2006 @ 3:50pm):
"I wonder what so-called stereotype is incorrect when a Muslim people elects terrorists (Hamas) to be their government."

I wonder what makes America so different. Does Bush ring a bell?

Are you kidding me? I just love how all of these "Anonymous" opinions stand up for what they believe in by hiding behind the scarlet "A". Comparing Bush to Terrorists? How does it feel to have no perspective?...you obviously have not seen the carnage brought to the London subway and streets. Perhaps commuting in Spain is a crime worth dying for. You obviously have NO clue to real life to compare the RADICAL ISLAMIST EXTREMIST to the President of the United States of America.

Anonymous (March 6, 2006 @ 7:02pm):

i posted another comment on another page and the editors deleted it....well what can i say.. I spoke my heart..Well my opinion is that whoever is making these cartoons should stop.WHY?...because its NOT funny...just wait till those Billions of muslims boycott danish products and items, then their economy is down the drain.And anyways...you dont see me writing Rude, discriminating, plain out BAD comics on Jews or christians. I mean come on, we showed love so be nice and pay us back with some love.

Anonymous (March 21, 2006 @ 9:41am):

"we showed love"

Was that what that "burning people alive" was all about? A burning ring of tire?

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