دی اسکالر (Jul 2018)
ENGLISH-FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN ISLAM AND IN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS
Abstract
This article discusses Free Speech as a fundamental human right and the use of this right with a sense of responsibility. Conflicts arising out of unqualified use of free speech by the Western world when it touches the religious sensibilities of people belonging to different faiths asks for certain limitations to be imposed of the absolute use of this freedom. International legal documents on freedom of speech, ‘defamation of religions’ and ‘religious tolerance’ are analyzed. Islamic viewpoint on ‘pluralism’ and ‘freedom of speech’ is also discussed and compared with contemporary secular understanding of free speech. Finally with reference to Jylland-Posten cartoons International reactions and statements issued by Muslim and Secular states are analyzed to understand the complexity of the issue. It is concluded that majority of the World supported the view that Danish cartoons were provocative and injured the religious sensibilities of Muslims and an apology should be rendered for doing so. However violent reactions from the Muslim world were condemned at International level.
