A man walks into a crowded theater.
FIRE!!!, he yells.
This is the example most often cited as a limit to our right to free speech. How far does that limit extend, though? And why is this example valid? Lets examine.
Obviously, because doing so could cause a stampede for the exits, thereby crushing many of the patrons of that theater. In other words, you do not have the right to say or do something that you know is likely to lead to others dying as a result of what you said or did. Let me ask you something, Kossacks...does that rule apply only to Americans dying, in America? If the action or words take place here in the USA, but the death and destruction take place in a foreign nation, should that speech be limited too?
Yesterday, the Islamophobic pastor of a Florida Christian church, Terry Jones, burned the Qur'an, along with an image of the Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allah (swt) be upon him.
On March 20, 2011, this same "pastor" held what he calls "International Judge the Koran Day". After a mock "trial", he burned the Qur'an and posted pictures of it on his church website. Many massive demonstrations were held in protest of this affront to Islam. On April 1, a protest in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan became violent and 12 people died...eight United Nations workers and four Afghans.
Yesterdays actions were identical to last years, and were not just photographed...they were streamed live on the internet. Considering events last year, it is reasonable to believe that this man knew of the effect his actions are likely to have in the Muslim world overseas. The Pentagon even pleaded with this man to rethink his "event" in order to protect American service members overseas. Jones refused, and carried out his vile deeds anyway. Yet so far the only outrage at this sick and cowardly act is from the Gainesville Fire Department, who fined him $271 for breaking the fire code.
So I ask, again: where is the outrage at this blatant disregard for human life? Where is the outrage at yet another hatemonger being allowed to spew his poison at will? There are likely to be massive protests once again in the Muslim world over this, and it is likely that people will die. But will this vile man be held accountable for any any death or injuries resulting from those protests? No. If those protests sweep up American troops and they are killed, will the US hold this man responsible? I doubt it.
Imagine, for a moment, if this were a group of American Muslims, and the book they burned was the Bible. Imagine the protests and the threats of violence from the evangelical Christians! And yet, when it is the Holy Qur'an being burned...crickets. In case you're wondering, that would never happen. As Muslims, we are taught to respect the People of the Book..Jews and Christians...along with their holy texts. This is why, in those tragic protests in 2011, it was an effigy of Terry Jones that was burned...not a Bible.
I'm a believer in strong freedom of speech laws, in all parts of the world. However, such a right does have to have limits. The intentional desecration of religious texts for political purposes or to spread hate should be one limit...especially if you know that such desecration is likely to lead to the death of human beings anywhere in the world.
I condemn this desecration of the Holy Qur'an and my beloved Prophet (pbuh). May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala protect his ummah (Muslims) and hold them, and all human beings, from harm in any protests that may occur over this incident. Ameen.