Shoddy YouTube clip: Don't let emotions rule

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YOURSAY 'Enough of this rage that was born of zero intolerance. It has caused not just American deaths but Muslim ones, many times over.'

Why this rage over 'The Innocence of Muslims'?

your say Jstom: Just imagine, bigots anywhere in the world can set cities in the Islamic world on fire just by uploading an insensitive YouTube video.

Who suffers? Who loses life and limb and property?

Apa Ini?: The authors from Islamic Renaissance Front have argued with wisdom and in the true spirit of Islam. Yes, do translate this into Bahasa Malaysia.

Enough of this rage that was born of zero intolerance over a shoddy video clip. It's a rage that has caused not just American deaths but Muslim ones, many times over.

And the truth has been overlooked - the real victim is Islam, as millions in other non-Muslim countries shake their heads at the sledgehammer reaction.

Meanwhile videomaker Sam Bacile, deservedly, lives in hiding. Perhaps he rejoices at his unexpected success? I doubt it; there are enough Americans who will condemn him if he makes an appearance.

The US is as much a victim of the havoc his clip has caused.

Villageboy: It's heartening to learn that there is still a voice out there that debates intellectually rather than emotionally on religious issues.

However, I don't quite agree with Ahmad Farouk Musa and his friends that, "While there has been much decline in science and learning in the Muslim world, which is undeniably tied to a history of colonial exploitation, Muslims must learn to take responsibility for the course of their own progress."

Are not all our prime ministers and former ministers highly educated by the colonialists? It is these political leaders who have destroyed the excellent system of education left behind for us by the colonialists.

Good Men: "Enough lives, time and effort have been wasted over this film," said Islamic Renaissance Front.

Will the authors now also be condemned for saying this, similarly to how Perak DAP chief Ngeh Koo Ham was condemned?

I think not because they are not from DAP. Umno is all about charades.

Dood: I am awaiting the powers-that-be to condemn the authors' comments with the same harshness and tone as they did with the DAP representative Ngeh.

Anonyxyz: Ngeh should take these comments as a learning lesson. Every religious group, including Islam, have their intellectuals and rational-thinking scholars who will rise to the occasion by providing their thoughts and advice at the appropriate time.

There is no need to cross that sensitive thin line of unnecessary and unsolicited opinions on a religion that you don't belong to, especially in a highly religious and sensitive Malaysian environment polluted by political racists, who will exploit religion to the hilt without caring a damn about violence.

Abasir: As I have said before, the biggest threat to any faith comes from its misguided, unschooled adherents who always seem to outnumber those whose lives and words are shaped by the essence of the faith. The enemy is always within, and it is from within that the rot spreads out.

Starr: The violent reaction seen across the globe in retaliation to the anti-Islam film has put a dent on the image of Islam as a religion of peace, love and tolerance.

Nothing can justify the production and exhibition of the film to ridicule the religion, but equally nothing can justify the murder of innocent civilians, the burning of properties, flags and portraits to vent their frustration.

Like it or not, there are people who are anti-Islam in this world just as there are anti-Christians, anti-Semitism, etc, etc. That doesn't mean that they should vent their dislike and anger to such an extent.

The purpose of religion is to help its practitioners to find and seek solace in God/Allah, not to turn violent in the name of defending God/Allah. God/Allah, being the Supreme Being, does not need any human being to defend Him.

Blame has been laid on extreme Islamists for the violence, but the violence seen across the globe suggests otherwise.

Swipenter: Some Muslims themselves have managed to outdo Sam Bacile in giving Islam a bad name. This is the sad reality whether Muslims want to admit it or not.

How many of us have not heard of this 'Innocence of Islam' video until an angry mob attacked the American Embassy in Libya and killed four innocent Americans who had nothing to do with Sam Bacile and his video.

Here some Muslim politicians are not so innocently using the opportunity to whip their flagging political career back into life calling for Malay/Muslim unity against an imaginary external enemy.

Onyourtoes: I guess it is okay for Ahmad Farouk Musa to say all this. For others to do so, maybe more police reports will be made.

Obviously, it is easier for PAS and Umno to come together because of this cheap video, but they will find no accord at all on other issues like corruption, abuse of power, governance, corruption, the rights of non-Muslims, etc. What an irony, frankly.

Mohan Gandhi: Well put, most importantly by a group of Muslims. I hope our other Malay/Muslim friends try to understand the scenario rather than turn fanatic every time such a situation arises.

A useless piece of film footage has caused the loss of life unnecessarily. Rationality in thinking seems to be masking many people when it comes to religion.


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