The attempt on the life of Kurt Westergaard, the Danish cartoonist, has brought the issue of Islamic prohibitions against idolatry back into the news again. At the invitation of a Danish newspaper in 2005 Westergaard produced twelve cartoons poking fun at the Islamic prohibition against depicting the image of Mohammad. Since then there have been condemnations of Westergaard, including numerous threats of death. Some Islamic leaders have called upon followers to kill him.
Those who have investigated the prohibition against depicting the image of Mohammad have discovered that it is not from the Qur'an, the Holy Book of Islam, but is a practice originating from the rules and regulations of Islam based upon the Hadith, the words believed to have been uttered by Mohammad. The prohibitions are not limited to images of Mohammad, but generally reject the practice of depicting the image of any living being, which is seen by Muslims as idolatry.
Prohibitions against idolatry are not exclusive to Islam. In Jewish and Christian tradition there are examples of similar prohibitions stemming from the Ten Commandments attributed to Moses. Some rigid Christian denominations prohibit the display of visual depictions of God or Jesus. Devout Orthodox Jews never print the name of God, believing it to be idolatrous. Instead they substitute the term G-d. Ironically, there are some traditions in Christianity which not only fail to reject worship before paintings, statues and other artistic depictions, but actually encourage it. Iconography, encouraged in Orthodox Christianity, defines the presence of the one depicted in an Icon as approachable in the Icon, capable of worship.
My perspective on the current Islamic issue asks two separate questions:
1) Is the Islamic prohibition restricted to those who practice Islam or is it a generic law which affects non-Islamic people as well? I suppose this question stems from my own understanding that there are a variety of faiths in the world, each having valid rules and regulations relating to adherents. However, Muslims, especially fundamentalist Muslims, seem to believe that Islam is the true religion, and they are required to monitor the practices of the entire population. The goal of these fundamentalists is to assure purity. That purity is defiled by the practices of those who are not adherents.
2) Is it appropriate for the general population to poke fun at the beliefs of a specific religion? This is more an ethical question than one of dogma. Islamic spokespersons have pointed out, for instance, that generally it is understood that making light of the Holocaust is inappropriate. The media discovered a long time ago that this practice is deemed distasteful and capable of causing great damage to one's credibility. The question raised is whether this same ethical understanding should apply to Islam's prohibition against idolatry.
Islam is exceedingly vulnerable right now. Ignorance and prejudice are rampant regarding the teachings of Islam. Fundamentalist sects are confused with the practice of Islam by millions of people who do not condone the practices or beliefs of the sects. Consequently, a response of Islamic spokespersons to what is seen as disrespect of Islamic belief is merged with international anger over the practices of the Islamic fundamentalists. The result is anti-Islamic bias, much of which is unfounded and unfortunate.
Only through better efforts to educate the Western world to the legitimate teachings and practices of Islam will we come to a place where toleration and respect are the norm. In the current climate of fear it is difficult to arrive at that place.
Photo Credit: http://face-of-muhammed.blogspot.com/
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