Kuwait's National Assembly chief said that publishing images that offend the Prophet Mohammed under the pretext of free speech violates the sanctity of Muslims, however, he condemned the "reckless or foolish reactions" used by some in response.
"Free speech is only applicable when it comes to attacking Muslim sanctities and insulting the Prophet Mohammed," Marzouq Al-Ghanim told lawmakers in a speech at Organization of Islamic Cooperation Parliamentary Union (PUIC) talks on Wednesday.
"The world should know that our homage and reverence to this man (Prophet Mohammed), who is dear to our hearts, is unparalleled... We sacrifice our souls for him are words that were uttered by our ancestors and that will be uttered by our predecessors.
"We have witnessed, in pain, what some malevolent souls have carried out of spreading caricatures and images that are offensive... to one of the symbol of complete humanity and morality... our Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him," he added in reference to the French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo.
The chief lawmaker went on to accuse employees of the magazine of being "fundamentalists, who have planted the seeds of hate, who nurture terrorism and fuel violence and tension between nations and peoples." He added that, "the noble prophet (Mohammed) whom we anger for and pledge our souls and funds to has taught how to anger for him and how to deal with mockers." Muslims should not respond to these actions through "reckless or foolish reactions that give the enemy an opportunity to argue that our faith (Islam) is one of murder, bombings, terrorism or fundamentalism.
"Here I ask myself, who serves who? Do not both sides, in spite of their clear contradictions, serve this absurd approach to fundamentalism? This is why it should not be permissible to forgive, overlook or disregard tackling terrorism, because it is a dangerous occurrence, because it targets the essence of our faith and because it knows no geographical boundaries.
"It is dangerous because it endangers the interests of our (Islamic) nations and peoples, and it serves other parties whom are delighted that this violent image of Muslims is created." He went on to launch an attack on "ancient and extinct discourse that does not take into account the realities of the age we live in.
"We (Muslims) are not alone in this world. We should be major players in it, and for us to be that we should understand the language and tools of this age," he said, identifying "comprehensive human development" and "political reform" as another two of these 'tools'.
Factors that could have aided the spread of terrorism in the region could be "the huge impact of colonialism and occupation," but, he said, "this does not excuse us (Muslims) from complacency, carelessness and inattention that has led to where we are now.
"Blaming 'the other' as the sole responsible factor and excusing us of responsibility over what is going on should come to an end," he said.
Source: KUNA