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Report on Sweden’s Caricatures Print E-mail

A Brief Report  on  Sweden’s Caricatures 

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Almighty Allah says, “Lo! We defend thee from the scoffers.” (Al-Hijr: 95)

He also says, “And (We) exalted thy fame.” (Ash-Sharh: 4)

 

1. Introduction

No one should think that these drawings (caricatures) would ever disparage our honorable Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). This is because Almighty Allah has promised to “exalt his fame” both during his lifetime and after his death. Therefore, although all the recent (offensive) acts – which defy Muslims’ feelings – seem to be bad, they contribute – to a great extent – to acquainting people with our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him); this man who passed away (more than) one thousand and four hundred years ago, but he is still – and will always remain – a man of the time, due to the Divine honoring he was granted.

Who is this Prophet? What did he do to make people all over the world love him this much? Why is he respected to this extent even by non-Muslims? Why are the features of his personality showing up in the reality of life nowadays at all levels, including politically, culturally, and economically? Such questions are going on the minds of many non-Muslims, especially in Europe and America. This motivates them to get acquainted with this personality and to read the Qur’an as well as writings about the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

We, Muslims, deal with the character of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) while being motivated by faith, love, and appreciation for him, being the best of Allah’s creation. On the other hand, non-Muslims look at him from another perspective. Even those who hate him, their hearts – if examined – would show how they respect and admire him as much as they hate him. The reasons behind this include: the position he has among his followers; and his pure history and marvelous biography which prove how unique his character is, as he had peerless qualities which no one before or after him ever had.

In spite of their provocative nature, these drawings considerably contribute to introducing the Prophet’s honorable biography to people, not only non-Muslims, but also to Muslims themselves, especially those who are disobedient, because such incidents are apt to stir up their feelings of love toward their honorable Prophet—something that would consequently push them to support and defend him.

2. How Swedish Drawings Emerged

The insulting drawings in Sweden appeared for the first time during last summer, exactly in July; however, they did not get much media hype. Lars Vilks, a Swedish cartoonist, attempted to publish his drawings in the Swedish Institute of Plastic Arts in Göteborg. But the intervention of the Islamic League in Sweden and clarifying the stance of Muslims on these drawings to the institute made the respected administration of the institute refuse to publish them. The institute’s refusal had a negative impact on the psychology of the cartoonist who considered the institute’s decision as a submission to Muslims and a retreat from the principle of freedom, which is always defended by Sweden. Picture in page 3: Lars Vilks, the Swedish cartoonist who drew the caricatures (Appendix 2) A message of gratitude delivered by the Islamic League in Sweden to the Swedish Institute On August 14, the Islamic League in Sweden delivered a message of gratitude to the administration of the Institute thanking them for their courageous stance supporting not publishing the drawings.

Picture in page 3: Lars Vilks, the Swedish cartoonist who drew the caricatures (Appendix 2).

A message of gratitude delivered by the Islamic League in Sweden to the Swedish Institute On August 14, the Islamic League in Sweden delivered a message of gratitude to the administration of the Institute thanking them for their courageous stance supporting not publishing the drawings.

3. How Swedish Media Dealt with the Drawings

Swedish mass media dealt with these drawings in different ways. Some of them defended freedom of expression without any regulating criteria and discussed the matter of displaying the drawings no matter what they may be. Others – whose voice was much louder – also defended freedom of expression but rejected that others’ feelings should be hurt or that they be offended. The following is the most important of what has been published in Swedish newspapers in this regard.

- Appendix 3: On August 14th, some newspapers started to write on freedom of expression. Thus, the issue of the drawings started to show up because the Institute and two other museums decided not to display the drawings. Adversely, some authorities - which defend freedom of expression - made some activities to support the Swedish artist. 

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25ème Rencontre Annuelle des Musulmans de France

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