Greatest Religious controversies

Prophet’s Cartoons

Denmark’s  newspaper Jyllands-Posten published an article entitled "Muhammed’s ansigt" ("The face of Muhammad") on 30 September 2005. The article consisted of twelve cartoons, some of them depicting Prophet Muhammad in most derogatory form. This sparked off a world wide protest, several newspapers in mainland Europe responded by republishing the cartoons. The republishing of cartoons further aggravated the situation; Muslim masses came out on streets seeking the head of Cartoonists, our own U.P minister Haji Yakoob promised a reward of 51 crores for anyone who killed the ‘cartoonist’. Danish embassies were attacked and Europeans beaten some 150 people were killed in the protests, mostly of police action.Those responsible for the controversy remained adamant throughout and refused to apologize. They had created the mischief completely knowing the fact that depiction of prophet in any image, painting or idol is completely prohibited under Islam and Muslims would not accept anything like that.

Dera-Sikh Controversy

Dera Sacha Sauda, a sikh cult in Sirsa Haryana claiming to have more than one crore followers, became the centre of a storm in Punjab and Haryana, which has refused to die out even today. Sant Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh the head of Dera on 16 may 2007, dressed himself similar to Guru Gobind Singh and distributed the Amrit to his supporters in the same way the Guru had done while founding the Khalsa Panth, this ignited a sharp reaction from Sikh leaders. Sikhs roused in protests mainly in Punjab and Haryana, Dera supporters responded too and there was head on collision between the two, causing loss of life and property. Sant first refused to bend but later on due to political pressure, issued a well crafted regret statement addressing the Guru himself. The Sikh leaders, however, denounced the statement as tricky. The controversy is still a serious cause of tension in the area and the recent clashes in Mumbai, Bhatinda and Dabwali have taken the lives of two more innocents. In this case also, it is unlikely that Sant didn’t know that it is not permitted to imitate the Guru.

Sinister Designs

Since, the people triggering the controversies were not ignorant of the consequences of their action; there is a great possibility that these were designed to meet a wider aim. While the exact motive can’t be established, in the first case it could be the part of agenda of those afraid of Islam’s ever increasing influence on the European Society and leaving no stone unturned to defame it. The later controversy could be the brain child of those trying to polarize the votes in the region.

Are the protests justified?

The protests are definitely required to create an awareness that the use of freedom of speech and action to hurt others sentiments is not acceptable, the extent of the protests should, however, be checked to take care that you are not implementing the designs of those against whom you are protesting.  The violence not only reduces the sympathy but creates an irritation among the others who tend to believe that you are intolerant; exactly what the adversaries have planned for you. Moreover, The Prophet and the Guru were the people of highest grace who laid stress on forgiveness and piety and would never have liked their people to be involved in something which would result in blood shed of the innocents. 

Yasser Iqbal Kidwai