The content of this article was sourced from 2 videos that I watched on YouTube. The links to these videos are below. I would urge you to watch both videos if you have the time and the interest. I have also linked to these videos in my previous article which you may have already read.
Here are the links to the 2 videos. The first is about 42 minutes in length and the second about an
hour and 14 minutes. But the videos are engrossing and if you have an interest in the subject then
you will be entertained as well as instructed.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali makes a number of points in the above videos and as she says the problem of the defects of Islam today is very complex and has to be tackled on many fronts. I would like to repeat just 2 of the many insights and suggestions that she articulated.
The first point I would like to highlight is the fact that in many Islamic countries criticism of the Prophet is punishable by law. Below is a result of a Google search:
Most Muslim-majority countries have some form of blasphemy law and some of them have been compared to blasphemy laws in European countries (Britain, Germany, Finland etc.). However, in five countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, blasphemy is punishable by execution.
The Wikipedia page on Islam and Blasphemy starts with the following sentence:
Blasphemy in Islam is impious utterance or action concerning God, “Blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad and his companions (sabb al-rasul, sabb al-sahabah)” insulting an angel or to deny the prophethood of one of the Islamic prophets.
As mentioned above there were blasphemy laws even in countries that are now champions of free speech and liberty. These laws were repealed many decades ago and the practice of free speech led to scientific progress in Europe and the USA. The prosperity of Europe and the US stems from the events of the Renaissance and Reformation that started in the middle of the second millennium.
More to the point there can never be a reformation of Islam unless free speech is permitted in Islamic countries and societies. The many defects of Islam will have to be fixed by the people who are suffering because of the same. And that is not possible without free speech.
The second point I would like to highlight is that there is a distinction between what Mrs. Ayaan called the Mecca Muslims and the Medina Muslims. As everybody knows, Prophet Muhammad spent many years preaching in Mecca following his enlightenment. His teachings were about the religious aspects of Islam (consisting of fasting and prayer) and at that time the teachings did not have a political aspect and were mostly peaceful.
It was only after the Prophet was persecuted and driven to Medina that the political aspects of Islam came into existence. According to a Google search:
Battle of Badr, (624 ce), in Islamic history, first military victory of the Prophet Muhammad. It seriously damaged Meccan prestige while strengthening the political position of Muslims in Medina and establishing Islam as a viable force in the Arabian Peninsula.
Mrs. Ayaan makes a distinction between Mecca Muslims and Medina Muslims. According to her Mecca Muslims want to live and practice their religion peacefully whereas Medina Muslims are more political and confrontational in their approach. This distinction has to be borne in mind by everybody including the authorities when faced with the defects of Islam.
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