Figure 1.-- |
|
The press, media, amd publishing is severely restricted throughout the Arab world. Actual regulations vary from country to country. The restrictions are most severe in Arab countries. Here satellite media like Algezira has made a difference, weakening government monopolies on the news. Even Algezira, however, commonly follows the standard Arab world outlook. They have engenered debate about social issues such a women's rights. Non-Arab countries tend to have somewhat freer media, but here there are are also variations from country to country. Another issue is the Muslim minorities in Western Europe. Most Europeans outside Russia tend to see the principle of free expression as one of the great achievements of Western civilization. Muslims in Europe tend to be less committed to free expression, especially as it applies to Islam and Muslim society. Mamy Muslims do not think that Islam or Mohammed should be subjected to criticism, serious or satyrical. The British have had to provide protection to Salaman Rushdie after Ayatolah Khomeini issued a fatwa on him (1989). Hence the reaction to the publication of cartoons in Denmark. Dutch film maker Theo Van Gogh has his throat slit for directing a documentary that questioned Muslim treatment of women. Some in Europe today seem to believe that the pronciple of free expression should be comprissed to avoid trouble with Muslim countries and their own Muslim minorities. Many Muslims came to Europe seeking the kind of economic opportunity that their own countries failrd to offer. Now Muslim activists seem to be advocating the kind of constraints that have helped to keep their homelands backward.
The press, media, amd publishing is severely restricted throughout the Arab world. Actual regulations vary from country to country. The restrictions are most severe in Arab countries. Here satellite media like Algezira has made a difference, weakening government monopolies on the news. Even Algezira, however, commonly follows the standard Arab world outlook. They have engenered debate about social issues such a women's rights.
Non-Arab countries tend to have somewhat freer media, but here there are are also variations from country to country. This is especially the case as one moses east away from the Middle East.
Another free speech issue is the Muslim minorities in Western Europe. Most Europeans outside Russia tend to see the principle of free expression as one of the great achievements of Western civilization. Muslims in Europe tend to be less committed to free expression, especially as it applies to Islam and Muslim society. Mamy Muslims do not think that Islam or Mohammed should be subjected to criticism, serious or satyrical. The British have had to provide protection to Salaman Rushdie after Ayatolah Khomeini issued a fatwa on him (1989). Hence the reaction to the publication of cartoons in Denmark. Dutch film maker Theo Van Gogh has his throat slit for directing a documentary that questioned Muslim treatment of women. Some in Europe today seem to believe that the pronciple of free expression should be comprissed to avoid trouble with Muslim countries and their own Muslim minorities. Many Muslims came to Europe seeking the kind of economic opportunity that their own countries failrd to offer. Now Muslim activists seem to be advocating the kind of constraints that have helped to keep their homelands backward. One American observer writes, "And now we come to what may be a fundamental test, maybe even a turning point, for that part of the world generally known as the West. The test is this: Are prominant, articulate critics of radical Islam, critics who happen to be citizens of European countries or the United States, entitled to the same free speechrights enjoyed by other citizensof European countries and the United States." [Applebaum]
The British backed down from the Saudis over the film "Death of a Princess". The British have provided security protection to Salaman Rushdie after Ayatolah Khomeini issued a fatwa on him over his book, The Satanic Verses (1989). The danger came from both Iranian agents and British Muslims. The British government seems firm in their position. The Quuen cofeered a knighthood on Rushdie, angering both British and foreign Muslims (2007). I am not entirely sure about public opinion or how leftist panderers like Ken Livingston feel about the issue. One HBC reader complained that the Rushdie issue was bot Britain's fight.
Hence the reaction to the publication of cartoons in Denmark. The Danish Government's respmse was primarily to deflect the response in the Arab world and not to stand up for the principle of free expression.
A German divorce-court judge told a Muslim woman from Morocco seeking protection from an abusive husband cited the Koran and told her that she should have "expected" her husband to use corporal punishment (January 2007). Although her husband beat her and threatened to kill her, the female German divorce court judge saw no cause for alarm or any need for an accelerated divorce. The judge explained that it was a "religion thing". Some German polticans were outraged and demanded an investigation of the judge. [Medick and Reimann]
Dutch film maker Theo Van Gogh was stabbed to death by Muslim fanatic Mohammed Bouyeri. Bouyeri was offened because Van Gogh directed a documentary film criticizing Muslim treatment of women. Some Muslims believe that God gives them the right to take the life of people who offend them. The knife Boyuyeri used had a note about Ayaan Hirsi Ali. This young woman has become a cause celebre in the Netherlands, but a very controversial one. She is a Dutch-Somali politican who has been under Dutch police protection since 2002. She had complained about the treatment of women in the Dutch Muslim community and described herself as secular. (Apotasy is according to the Koran punishable by death.) At first adarling of the Dutch media, after the Van Gogh murder, many Dutch people have reached the conclusion that Ali is to loucd and too vocal and protecting her is not worth the cost. Some Dutch believe that the issues Ali raised such as women's rights and integration should be a matter of public debate. Others are uncomfortable about discussing these issues and raising any criticism of Muslim and other Third World peoples. The Dutch Government even tried to revoke her citizenship (2006). Her neigbors went to court to have her evicted claiming that the security threat was an infriment on their human rights. The Dutch Government terminated her security funding, although it is still an issue before the Parliament. Ali explains that many Dutch people tell her esentially that she "brought her problems on herself". Ali has decided that she needed to seek protection in America. [Applebaum]
Some in Europe remain convinced that the principle of free expression is the foundation of Western civilization. Others n Europe today seem to believe that the pronciple of free expression should be compromised to avoid trouble with Muslim countries and their own Muslim minorities. Many Muslims came to Europe seeking the kind of economic opportunity that their own countries failrd to offer. Now Muslim activists seem to be advocating the kind of constrints that have helped to keep their homelands backward.
Applebaum, Anne. "A Dutch retreat on speech?" Washington Post October 8, 2007, p. A12.
Medick, Veit and Anna Reimann. "A German Judge Cites Koran in Divorce Case," Spiegel Online International (March 21, 2007).
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to Main Middle-East specific rights page]
[Return to Main Middle-East human rights page]
[Return to Main Israel-Palestine page]
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[Glossaries]
[Images]
[Registration]
[Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]