There are two kinds of people in this world, those who are working together for peace and are building bridges of peace & friendship across borders and there are those who produce defamatory movies/cartoons. We must not get hijacked by the later one and should not react violently as doing so we only harm ourselves. Former one wage non-violent protest and are part of the civilized world.
As we strongly condemn and are immensely hurt by insulting film targeting the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H). Just like that, it is also hurting that a Church has been gutted by a mob in our own country on Love for Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) Day.
While traveling around the world, in my interactions with friends across borders and giving interviews and writing about interfaith harmony, I have been saying that we must have freedom of speech, but a responsibility follows with this and there are some things that should not be done. However, time and again such movies, cartoons and hate material have been coming by those who are well-wishers of the clash of civilizations. I suggest that time has come to take following 5 steps urgently at international level for a peaceful world:
1- All the UN member countries at the 67th session of the UN General Assembly MUST demand and take measures to stop hate-mongers from touching subjects against any religion.
2- There has to be an international resolution which states that all authorities have a duty to act in case of incitement to imminent violence i.e. by removing a video and publication and taking a strong action against those who are involved in it.
3- We need to have an international law which bans hate speech against any religion.
4- Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights must be reviewed. It should clearly differentiate between freedom of speech and hate speech.
5- We must continue to create dialogues of interfaith harmony between governments, organizations and at people to people level and come up with positive publications/materials which promote peace between civilizations.
One of my friends from Bulgaria beautifully puts it: "I am glad there are active young people like you! Keep on the way you do it and there will be peace on Earth. It is natural human desire. Nobody gets up from bed, thinking "Let's see how much will I suffer today!" We all came into this world as brother and brother, and we will walk hand in hand one day! I just hope you and I will have enough breaths remaining, so that we could see it"!
May Almighty give us strength, determination, and willpower to find the path to peace in our world! (Ameen)
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