Humor controversy
I'm confused with the Mohammed cartoon upheaval these days. Then I stumbled on a couple of links and I'm still on square one. Amir Teheri says
jokes about Islam and images of Mohammed were not always forbidden.
The truth is that Islam has always had a sense of humor and has never called for chopping heads as the answer to satirists. Muhammad himself pardoned a famous Meccan poet who had lampooned him for more than a decade. Both Arabic and Persian literature, the two great literatures of Islam, are full of examples of "laughing at religion," at times to the point of irreverence. Again, offering an exhaustive list is not possible. But those familiar with Islam's literature know of Ubaid Zakani's "Mush va Gorbeh" (Mouse and Cat), a match for Rabelais when it comes to mocking religion. Sa'adi's eloquent soliloquy on behalf of Satan mocks the "dry pious ones." And Attar portrays a hypocritical sheikh who, having fallen into the Tigris, is choked by his enormous beard. Islamic satire reaches its heights in Rumi, where a shepherd conspires with God to pull a stunt on Moses; all three end up having a good laugh.(via Daily Kos)
Sanity blogger has a post on the different varieties of humor and the function they serve. Then, Albert Brooks' latest film can shine some lights to the gloom. I mean, given all these tumultuous times, we need a little laugh, only then we be enlightened(?).
posted by Trynn Diesel @ 4:37 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
I, myself, haven't seen the comics yet, but from what I hear, I think the reasons for upheaval were more due to political reasons. The europeans muslims have pretty much endured their share of derogation and condescension. On top of that, they feel like the entire continent is conspiring against them and their rites/culture (Bans on hijaabs etc).
So one thing led to another, and the putting down of the ONE figure in our religion that we (different sects) unanimously believe in was the last straw.
Or it could be because the comics were atrocious. I wouldn't know.
However, it HAS gone WAY out of proportion and we only have the muslims to blame for bringing it out in the limelight and giving it as much undeserved-attention as it has received.
Eh.
Yup, the gory of politics again. I too share your viewpoints and Amir Teheri. The author, himself, sees nothing wrong with Islam as it stands; he sees something fundamentally wrong with the political systems that too many Muslims live under. The danger in suggesting that the struggle we are engaged in now is a religious struggle, when in fact it's an entirely political one. In his perspective, Islam and politics are incompatible.
You can view the Jyllands-Posten Muhammed cartoon here. There are 12 controversial images in the cartoon that bbc explored.
By the way, I hope the nor'easter isn't terribly bad in Kingston. If it is, I hope you'll enjoy the snow day!
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