One of the best things I’ve gained from blogging over the last two years is learning from the diverse perspectives of other bloggers around the world. It’s one thing to read a journalist reporting on what life is like in other parts of the world. It’s quite another to get first hand accounts.
Like it or not, one of the major issues in the world today is the clash of cultures between Islam and the Christian/secular west. How much of a clash this may actually be depends on your point of view of course. It’s somewhere between people from different cultures learning to respect the differences between each other and an apocalyptic battle between good and evil.
I like to think I’m capable of making up my own mind and I’m not overly swayed by the self serving braying of politicians, media talking heads and religious figures on all sides of the debate. But I remain eternally grateful to people I’ve met through this blog who have given me a first hand view of what it’s like to be a Muslim in today’s world.
While there are undoubtedly a scary number of people willing to distort their religion to justify the murder of innocent people I’m not the type to tar everyone with the same brush. I have too much Irish Catholic in me to go along blindly with that. You don’t have to have a very long memory to know the prejudice and vilification the Irish suffered in the UK.
But to have the pleasure of reading the work young Muslims who are devout, thoughtful, intelligent, questioning and (shock, horror) female… well, it makes it easier to take the sensationalism of the media with a grain of salt.
So when I read an article about a right wing politician in the Netherlands launching a film critical of Islam I didn’t immediately assume the worst would happen. I put my thoughts together into the following video:
The comments on YouTube were pretty much what I expected. There were more than twice as many comments as I usually get for a video which is not surprising seeing as it’s such a hot button issue. Most commenters thought I was even handed but there were the usual close minded bigots who don’t like having their binary good/evil worldview challenged.
It used to bug me when idiots attacked me for things I didn’t say while ignoring things I did say but now I take it as a gift. Having some first hand experience of people blatantly misrepresenting my words, it’s easier not to get quite so worked up by media reports. When people have their own barrows to push, the truth tends not to matter very much.
Angry 365 Days a Year 
I was out protesting those cartoons of Mohammed.
I was right up front with a placard.
It read: “Behead the Enemies of Islam. (If they aren’t very funny, in fact, just behead* people who aren’t very funny.)
*and by “behead” I mean, don’t publish. Because actual decapitation is a tad extreme when a person’s worst possible crime is spouting uninformed opinion in an unamusing way.”
It was a tad wordy, and I’m not sure the photographers got the whole poster in.
Also, the Irish deserved all that persecution, they sided against us with the French in several major wars, and attempted coups. All because we had rejected their church, and left their papist conspiracy. They’re just whining because we won.
OK, so that wasn’t very funny either. So sue* me…
*and by “Sue” I mean “behead”
Another good way to make a Muslim angry is to say: That will be $4.50. Thank you come again.
Look up a prank call called dirty turban, freaking hillarious
The video wasn’t really impressive. Hate begets hate. If I was Muslim, I’d be upset watching this.
However, let’s remember the history of religions. It wasn’t long ago that we had the Inquisition.
Religion and God should bring us together.
Personally, I agree with Massif: behead everybody, they suck anyway.
I’ve found that when I say the word “behead” over and over in my mind it’s meaning begins to change. I think we could all use a good beheading…
Massif: It’s good to be precise with your protest signs
chemboy: Apu is Hindu 🙂
range: the video is nothing much, I agree
Vlad: it would save time
kyklops: I think I’m on your wavelength
The majority of Muslims I’ve met like to eat good food party, try not to hurt anyone and enjoy life. I haven’t met a suicidal bomber muslim yet.
I wish I could say the same for the English I’ve met.
Hey Angry, subscriber from Tube here.
Look: if you interested in a well founded Dutch perspective on this, written in English, come check out my piece. You may even find a way to deal with pesky, irrelevant celebs.
See, I have a lack of knowledge when it comes to other religions. That’s the US school system for you!
goatsoup: I thoroughly agree with you, but the media and various governments have done a very good job of making people feel scared.
Joost: thanks for the tip – I will!
chemboy: Don’t they teach you about the Simpsons there???
Hey, so right, I am diverted to your blog for an unlikely reason, two girls and a cup. Owh my god that video. That is the worst and insane thing.
So, I am a Muslim. I guess people will perceive me that I will side Islam and willing to die for it. However, you should understand, I found a lot of other Muslims like me that are against those violent and extreme actions by terrorist in the name of Islam.
It is not fair for the MP fron Netherland to make such videos, when he put chunks of verses from Quran when it should be in its full form. It will sound threatening and pro-violent but if you refer to the verse as a whole, it is a story and lesson to be learnt and not the promotion of violence.
Islam itself means peace and prosperus. Islamic principles stated (and said in Quran too) that in any cases, the Muslims should only be in war as defense. It means that it is prohibited for Muslims to attack non-Muslims and worse, behead them. Muslims are encouraged to live together with non-Muslims especially the Jews and Christians (like how these 3 religions are related)
My point from this lengthy and drawn-out words is that Islam does not promote violence. The misconception has lead to Al-Qaeda, September 11, Taliban, and the list goes on.
I believe that there are billions Muslims in this world that against terrorism. Although we can be angry at the video, but there should be no violence involve.
Till here, peace out.
This is the least that I can do to change how people perceive Islam:P
Hi Alep. Thanks for your contribution. I like to think continued open discourse helps everyone.