So What’s the Big Deal With Drawing the Prophet?
I can’t understand why the media, the west and everyone else who engaged in the “Let’s Draw Muhammad” contest recently couldn’t, in all their secular intelligence, attempt to first UNDERSTAND and then to act instead of the other way round. I am also extremely disappointed with Zapiro for simply “jumping on the bandwagon” which is very unlike him. The Zapiro I’m used to has deep insight, sharp wit and gets to the heart of the issue at hand. Zapiro’s cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) shows only deep ignorance… but I’ll analyse that later.
First, let’s get to the heart of the matter. Why are Muslims going crazy when this happens? Well, at the essence, we do not draw the Prophet Muhammad or represent him in any way or form even though we do have detailed, verified and ratified descriptions of him because it is mentioned in the Quraan not to fall into the trap of our Christian Brethren and end up worshipping the Prophet instead of God. Secondly, Muslims believe in ALL of the prophet’s of God – Moses, Jesus, Noah, Jonah, Adam, etc. (peace be upon them all) and we don’t DRAW any of them.
But still… why is there so much passion in this issue? well look at the content. The depictions are ignorant and horrible. There is no mistaking the intent behind them. It more represents some Hard-line Iranian ‘Terrorist’ Mullah than have any insight into the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Muslims LOVE the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), I mean truly love. For Muslims he is the ultimate example of what a human being is supposed to be. We actually implement the idea that whenever we’re faced with any situation in life the question is automatically… “Well, what did the Prophet (pbuh) do?” You can’t underestimate this point, it leads to the next point in this issue.
Let’s make it personal. Take someone you truly love and would do anything for… say it’s your mother. Now, if someone was talking badly (or drawing nasty pictures) of your mother but did it amongst themselves and, obviously, they have a right to say what they want. It’s all absolutely fine. But when someone comes up to you and waves it about in your face and swears your mother to your face, what would you do? Yes, it is the ultimate example we need to follow to hold our peace and deal with it in an intelligent and civilised manner (in fact this is what the Prophet (pbuh) himself would have done. But being realistic… Your first move would be a punch in the gut of the offending perpetrator. This is the line between having the freedom to say what you want, but respecting the people around you.
Personally, this is the first time I’m writing about this because I can’t believe people’s stupidity and ignorance. In this day and age! For God’s sake (no pun intended) is everyone getting Stupider? Why can’t anyone else see this? Regarding the drawings themselves, I refuse to join any action AGAINST them on Facebook and shout out slogans, etc. because that only fuels the fire of the same idiots who created the group in the first place. I’ve IGNORED them from the beginning and I implore all other Muslims to do the same, or even better, start telling these people who the Prophet (pbuh) was, his example and what he means to them. This is the perfect opportunity.
Finally, I pray… that intelligence dawns on both sides of this conflict. It’s a shame on humanity that BOTH sides are acting like this. Let’s grow up.
Link to original Photo of Zapiro at launch of his book ‘Pirates of Polokwane’
The Night-Time Prayer Fiasco
Was treated to an interesting bit of information just before taraweeh prayer (the special night-time Ramadan prayer) yesterday. Apparently some of the Muslims were being attacked with eggs while leaving the mosque after the taraweeh prayer. A black car (didn’t get all the details) driving around the Epsom mosque and blasting people walking home with eggs. Now that I think back, I was attacked as well… but they missed me.. I remember hearing a ‘Smack!’ while walking home, but they missed me… so I carried on walking… I remember a black car though.
Anyway… I have to give the Epsom Police here major props. The mosque executive members contacted the police gave them details etc. and within 24 hours of the report, the police commissioner (yeah the top dog) knew about it, placed cops outside the mosque, had unmarked cars parked on the road around the mosque, tracked down the car and arrested the perpetrators.
That bit of info blew me away… coming from South Africa where you hardly ever hear of cops working so fast, let alone catching any perpetrators, ever (well regarding crimes that happen particular to you) anyway. All I remember thinking was that I heard the one day that this was and the next day it was over. Guys caught, cops outside. Problem Solved. Damn… that was FAST.
Technorati Tags: Islam, Life, Taraweeh, Epsom, London
Ramadan in the UK
made the above picture wayyy past my bedtime after Taraweeh prayer
Ramadan in the UK is a bit… different.
After years of idiosyncratic Ramadaan and Eid behaviour being drummed into me with the ritual eventually melding into the deeper meaning of how what we do affects who we are and how it will make who we are even better. South Africa was great with the community around me, it gives one an awesome sense of belonging.
In the UK, specifically here in Epsom, there’s a community as well, albeit a younger, less developed one. So, in essence, it can be a little lonely. Not so many friends… some family is here, but with London’s Transport Network – specifically the Road Network – Traffic is 10 X worse than Johannesburg, just to give you an idea, it’s a bit hard. The Public Transport ROCKS! I mean really… trains, busses and the tube are brilliant… but there are costs involved (temporal and monetary), and it does take its toll… makes you think twice before thinking of going anywhere.
It is a very different experience. It takes Ramadaan and puts a magnifying glass on the experience and focuses it. Ramadaan generally makes you forget the outer world and focus on the inner world inside yourself. Being without the general comfort of the family and friends you’ve come to love and trust at a time like Ramadaan takes the whole inner world thing to another level. You start feeling and thinking things about yourself that wouldn’t happen in any other circumstance.
I believe nothing happens without a reason, and so I must be here for a reason. In this situation, in this place. Yet another journey of self-discovery, and from this experience I’m also beginning to realise the truth in the saying that the Final Frontier won’t be space (What’s out there) but it’s going to be Mind & Soul (What’s in here).
Maybe my answer isn’t out there, it’s in me… and now I’m wondering if I’m asking the right questions.
Technorati Tags: Ramadan, Ramadaan, UK, London, Islam, South Africa, Family, Friends
The Prophet’s Hands
It is said, according to sound narrations, that the hands of the Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him) were soft over the heads of children, the prophet’s hands worked in the struggle for peace, built places of prayer, held the sword at battle and grasped the hands of enemies with honor and good will in treaties of peace. The prophet’s hands dug the earth to bury the dead and dug the earth to protect the living. His palms, smooth as silk, rejected the bribe of sun and moon, remaining free and open to carry loads for neighbours, comfort his family, caress his wife and jestfully covered the eyes of his companion in a moment of market place merriment. The prophet’s hands were real, the prophet’s example was true, the prophet’s hands are gone, the prophet’s example lives on. – Dawud Wharnsby Ali
Presidency of Two Holy Mosques Starts Website
The Presidency of the two Holy Mosques has started a website in order to enlighten the public about its activities. Phase 1 of the website is already launched and allows people to watch the prayers and sermons at the two mosques (The Prophet’s (SAW) Mosque in Madinah and Masjid-Al-Haram in Makkah) as well as offering 45,000 recordings of the recitation of the Quran as well as Islamic Lectures.
Phase 2 will provide e-education services and indexing of rare books and calligraphic writings. English and other Major languages will also be included in the second phase. The website also includes tons of other information such as How to perform Hajj and Umrah, Speeches in Arabic, Urdu and english, Prayer times in Makkah and Madinah, etc.
The website is http://www.gph.gov.sa
