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Abedin Taherkenareh / EPA
Iranian women shout anti-U.S. slogans in front of the Swiss embassy, which houses the U.S. interest section, in Tehran on Thursday. Reports from the Iranian capital said about 500 joined the protest of the Internet-circulated movie "Innocence of Muslims."
While the motivation behind the low-budget video "Innocence of Muslims" remains unclear, the reasons it has helped fuel attacks and protests at U.S. diplomatic missions in the Middle East and Africa are both emotional and political, experts say.
While it is true that images of Muhammad are not allowed in Islamic tradition, that doesn't explain the violent reaction, said Hassan Shibly, an imam and civil rights lawyer in Florida who works for the Council on American Islamic Relations.
The reason for the prohibition in the Quran was that Muhammad wanted to discourage idolatry, he explained.
"The Islamic tradition forbade depictions of any prophet or any holy people so that people throughout the years don’t start worshipping the prophet," Shibly said. "God is supposed to be the focus, not Muhammad or Jesus or anyone else."
Images of God, whom Muslims call Allah, also are not allowed because Muhammad believed that no picture could capture the creator, Shibly said. This is why the walls of mosques are typically decorated with abstract art and calligraphy.
The film, which has been blamed for fueling protests at U.S. diplomatic posts, including the violence at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that left four Americans dead, and Danish cartoons that caused so much protest in 2005 caused outrage among Muslims because they were seen as ridiculing or criticizing the prophet.
Actors and the assistant director of the film "Innocence of Muslims" told NBC News that the original spoken lines in the screenplay were dubbed over without their knowledge. NBC's Mike Taibbi reports.
"For Muslims, Muhammad is a sacred symbol," said John Esposito, a professor at Georgetown University. "Muhammad represents and embodies the religion of Islam. He’s not a god, but plays the role historically that Jesus played historically."
Images like these are now making their way, via the Internet to Muslim populations who have never before been exposed to sharp critiques of their faith, which also helps explain the level of anger they have stirred.
Esposito said the reaction resembles those in the West earlier in history.
He pointed to the uproar over 1988 Hollywood film "The Last Temptation of Christ." Director Martin Scorsese's adaptation of a book by the same name showed Jesus struggling with lust, depression and doubt, and engaging in sex — in his imaginings — before snapping back to reality and dying on the cross. That movie was seen as blasphemy by some Christians, who — though not violent — were vocal enough to prevent the film from being shown in many parts of the United States.
Shibly stressed that there is no justification for the violence that took the lives of the four Americans in Libya, including U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens, on Tuesday. CAIR on Wednesday issued a call for Muslims to ignore what it called the "trashy" anti-Islam film and has condemned the killings.
"It’s so hypocritical for (the attackers) to do these acts in the name of the prophet Muhammad,” said Shibly. "Muhammad didn’t win over his enemies by violence, he did so through compassion."
However, he says that insults to Muhammad hurt deeply.
"Muslims love the prophets of god more than we love our own parents, more than we love ourselves," said Shibly. "When people attack Muhammad, it definitely hurts us on an emotion level. But, that said, it doesn’t justify the violence. That’s just totally unacceptable."
"Innocence of Muslims" features wooden acting, poor dubbing, awkward sexual moments and ham-fisted insults, with none of the production values of "The Last Temptation of Christ," or any serious exploration of Islam. Experts said it would almost certainly have remained obscure had it not ignited the protests and violence after being circulated in Arabic via the Internet.
So far, it remains unclear who produced the film, and who funded it. Initially, the maker was identified as an Israeli-American man identified as Sam Bacile. But by Thursday, published reports were suggesting that it was the work of a group of anti-Islam Christians.
The latest reporting suggests that Bacile is actually Egyptian-born Coptic Christian named Nakoula Basseley who lives in the Los Angeles area. The Copts are a minority in Egypt, and often victims of discrimination in the majority Muslim country, as well as attacks by extremists.
In a geopolitical context, said Esposito, the film plays right into the hands of extremists in the region who are using anti-American sentiment to advance their own goals.
"What we have here, and it’s significant symbolically ... on or around 9/11 (anniversary), two terrorist or extremist attacks in Benghazi and in Cairo. … They are attacking symbols of the U.S. They are playing to a population. … It would be anti-American, but (they are) using this (video) to legitimize what they are doing."
Shibly also wonders if the film itself was produced or circulated strategically to stir up well-known sensitivities.
"The sad thing is these people are doing it on purpose," he said. "And unfortunately these Muslims fell right into the trap."
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Leave a Comment:
I didn't see the video in question, but the depiction of Mohammed as a violent womanizer is consistent with historical fact. The truth is that a legitimate historian who desires to publish a true account of the rise of Islam would be putting his life on the line in today's climate. The truth about the founding of their own religion doesn't sit well with the followers of Islam.
How many people trash Christianity and Jesus in vocal speech and imagery? He is quite a popular internet meme these days. Other countries trash the U.S. and their customs every day, but should we kill them and riot in the streets as a result?
There are always radical people who post VERY insulting things on EVERY subject you can think of, so how does ONE cartoon spark an insane violent rampage of people who should be doing their God's will by remaining peaceful through trials?
Ladies & gentlemen,
As a Muslim I strongly denounce and condemn this foolish and fallacy-based anti-Islam movie.
As a Muslim I strongly denounce and condemn the killing of the American ambassador and the diplomats.
As a Muslim I strongly denounce and condemn terrorism, killing the innocent people and sparking the chaos.
The responsible terrorist group which committed the coward crime of killing the US ambassador DOES NOT represent Islam in any way.
Al-Qaida and other terrorist groups DO NOT represent Islam at all; so don't be misled.
The prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) had warned us (as Muslims) from killing the innocent people; he always had been kind, merciful and nice to all the people whatever their religions or backgrounds were.
I strongly stress that the producers of this provocative fallacy-based movie don't know any thing about the reality of Islam and mercy of the prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him); in our holy book (the holy Quran); did you know that in chapter 5 (Al-Ma'ida) the verse 32 states the following:
" Because of that We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind"
Have you understood this? In our religion Islam; killing innocent person equals killing all the mankind; furthermore; saving a human life equals saving all the people lives!
The verse above featured Islamic principles that we strongly believe in; our religion is the religion of peace; religion of beauty and religion of positivity.
The verse above contained essential and fundamental principles which the prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) had been properly applying and strongly calling for.
The freedom of speech is not absolute; it doesn't mean to offend the others; the freedom of speech doesn't mean insulting the religious beliefs.
The religious beliefs are red lines that SHOULD NOT be approached at all.
A deterrent international law should be URGENTLY legislated to criminalize any foolish abuse and insult to the religious beliefs whatever they are.
Question to any christian gentleman and lady here: do you accept insulting Jesus and portraying him in an offending abusive manner?? Why freedom of speech doesn't work out here??? I think you've gotten my message.
"The most perfect of the believers in faith are the best of them in morals, and the best among them are those who are best (i.e. kind and helpful) to their wives" The Prophet Mohammed said.
Our religion (Islam) is based on good manners; our Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) always had been calling for smiling when meeting the people, treating the people kindly and to be positive and helpful to all the creatures.
I wish you all the best
Proud to be a Muslim, proud to be a follower of the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him).
Proud to be a Muslim
Hey nice long post dude but ultimately a waste of time, as nobody here will believe you, you’re guilty by association so you might as well get used to it. Maybe use your 2nd amendment right and buy a gun, you know just in case
Proud to be Muslim, the part about freewill is the part that matter's it's GOD greatest gift to all human's the right to choose what is right for one own self that's what make the U.S.A. the best place to live cause in this land we have the freewill to live ,love, and pray as we see fit, now the day i can walk around mecca and not get kill cause i follow a different faith is the day i say Islam and all Muslim are my brother 's
You have to be the first Muslim that has tried to 'reach out'. Sadly we have so much mistrust it is very difficult to believe what you have written. More muslims need to join you otherwise there will be no peaceful solution. If you are being honest....thank you.
Proud , you may think that but tell that to the people in africa , You know the African Christians that the muslims are killing in the sudan and several other countries .Trying to force islam on them or cutting off their heads . How peaceful is that? If you were to try to quit islam then YOU would be on the kill list . Does that not tell you anything ?
None of this is a good enough reason to kill people and destroy stuff. It looks more like just an excuse to act like animals. When people make fun of Jesus Christ and my God I remember what He says, "Vengeance is Mine saith the Lord". You know I watched the video, it was stupid but it also represents what America is all about and that is Freedom with no censorship like the Muslim countries. The Muslims say they come here for the freedoms, well that is all part of it. If you want censorship for Mohamed, stay in your repressed country.
We are seeing the fulfilment of end time prophecy and it will continue until Yeshua (Jesus) returns. Yeshua by the way is Christian and He will return to Israel. God is not democratic, He doesnt believe in religious freedom and He doesnt love sinners. Psalms 5.
actually he is a Jew.
The Muslims are not happy!
They're not happy in
Afghanistan
They're not happy in
Albania
They're not happy in
Algeria
They're not happy in
Azerbaijan
They're not happy in
Bahrain
They're not happy in
Bangladesh
They're not happy in
Brunei
They're not happy in
Burkina Faso
They're not happy in
Chad
They're not happy in
Comoros
They're not happy in
Djibouti
They're not happy in
Egypt
They're not happy in
Gambia
They're not happy in
Guinea
They're not happy in
Indonesia
They're not happy in
Iran
They're not happy in
Iraq
They're not happy in
Jordan
They're not happy in
Kazakhstan
They're not happy in
Kosovo
They're not happy in
Kuwait
They're not happy in
Kyrgyzstan
They're not happy in
Lebanon
They're not happy in
Libya
They're not happy in
Malaysia
They're not happy in
Maldives
They're not happy in
Mali
They're not happy in
Mauritania
They're not happy in
Mayotte
They're not happy in
Morocco
They're not happy in
Niger
They're not happy in
Nigeria
They're not happy in
Oman
They're not happy in
Pakistan
They're not happy in
Palestine
They're not happy in
Qatar
They're not happy in
Saudi Arabia
They're not happy in
Senegal
They're not happy in
Sierra Leone
They're not happy in
Somalia
They're not happy in
Sudan
They're not happy in
Syria
They're not happy in
Tajikistan
They're not happy in
Tunisia
They're not happy in
Turkey
They're not happy in
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
They're not happy in
Turkmenistan
They're not happy in
United Arab Emirates
They're not happy in
Uzbekistan
They're not happy in
Western Sahara
They're not happy in
Yemen
So, where are they happy?
They're happy in Australia
They're happy in Canada
They're happy in England
They're happy in France
They're happy in Italy
They're happy in Germany
They're happy in Sweden
They're happy in the USA
They're happy in Norway
They're happy in Holland
They're happy in Denmark
Basically, they're happy in every country that is not Muslim and unhappy in every country that is!
And who do they blame?
Not Islam.
Not their leadership.
Not themselves.
THEY BLAME THE COUNTRIES THEY ARE HAPPY IN!
AND THEN; They want to change those countries to be like....
THE COUNTRY THEY CAME FROM WHERE THEY WERE UNHAPPY!
Yup basically a bunch of on the rag bitches where ever they are .
They should grow up they have their faults like their not guilty of tearing down buddist monuments and attacks on Christian's and burning down churchs. Then they play blame game they started the attacks it wasn't an issue till they made it one.
Actually this came to me how little faith they have in their religion and their god their so fragile they become emotionally unstable to the point of panic and hysteria. FEAR!.
Rid the world of Muslims and we won't have to discuss this crap again.
OMG someone got their feelings hurt! Well whaaa friggen whaaa! Suck it up and get over it.
"The goal is to focus on God not mohammed ." Meanwhile every muslim and his 12 brothers are named mohammed .That's it , they all focus on mohammed(who killed a lot of people ) and hence all the killins .