Larger questions
Did the US media pay far too much attention to the ravings of a bigot?
There has to be a massive sigh of relief not just among Muslims but across the world that the planned burning of the Holy Qur’an today by an extremist church in Florida has been called off, although not before triggering riots across Afghanistan in which at least one man died and others were injured.
Terry Jones, the man behind what was a sick publicity stunt to boost his minuscule congregation and the sales of his malevolently anti-Islamic book, should reflect on the fact that he has blood on his hands. There is little expectation that he will be arrested for causing a deadly breach of the peace although morally speaking that is what should happen. But it would be interesting to see the result if those injured in Afghanistan or the family of the dead man took action against the pastor in the US courts on the grounds that he was ultimately responsible for the riots. There is no reason why not. American courts have shown themselves extremely willing to rule on events that did not happen in the US or that did not involve American citizens or American organizations — and this most certainly involves both.
The decision has to be theirs, although there may be some who may want to help them seek justice through the American legal system.
Meanwhile, there is a much bigger issue here. How come a pastor of a minuscule church in Florida managed to hijack the political agenda in the US and hold the government to ransom?
It is quite extraordinary that a hitherto unknown leader of a church that has less members than staff at an average Saudi supermarket can force President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to jump to attention, with Defense Secretary Robert Gates forced to phone the bigoted Jones to ask him to desist, Gen. David Petraeus expressing his concerns and a host of other political and religious leaders across the US and beyond throwing in their worried reactions.
There are many who blame the media for this, saying that it has paid far too much attention to the ravings of a jumped-up, bigoted nobody. There is a good deal of truth in this. If it had been a Catholic bishop or the leader of the US Methodist or Presbyterian churches who had threatened to burn the Qur’an, that would be major news. It would have merited — required — Obama’s intervention. But a two-bit leader of a two-bit congregation?
Every society has its lunatic fringe. No doubt we could find a demented imam with fanatical anti-Christian or anti-Jewish notions in a Muslim country. But it is totally irresponsible to give extremists and militants the publicity they crave. That is what has happened here and the results have been appalling.
Obviously, the very idea that anyone would intend to burn the Holy Qur’an scandalizes Muslims and it is very difficult to ignore such a story when it leaks out. But the decision by the Muslim community in US to deny the revolting pastor the oxygen of publicity is almost certainly the wiser one. Unfortunately, in dancing attendance on him, the media have set a dangerous precedent. Any two-bit leader of a two-bit organization in the US can now threaten to burn the Qur’an and will be guaranteed media coverage and a hotline to the White House. That is frightening.
Comments
ANDY
Sep 10, 2010 22:50
Report abuseSuch lunacy and demonstrations full of hatred and violence only makes his point that islam is a violent religion and incompatible with the values of the West.
Also, in the United States, we have the freedom of religion and freedom of expression.
The US flag gets burned all over the middle east. Ever see violent protetsts because of it?
APRIL TOSCH
Sep 11, 2010 15:16
Report abuseNICKURU
Sep 11, 2010 15:19
Report abuseThere are certain racists and bigots who wish to attack Obama as a black (yes, there are still racists in this country) and people who wish to use race and religion to avoid the idea that, this economic crisis in America was manufactured by the Republican party, (home to the world's biggest collection of sycophantic bigots around). Their policies use hate to further their looting of the country. This includes religion, no matter what teachings any one of us may hold sacred.
KIRAN
Sep 11, 2010 16:10
Report abuseJOHN BRYANT
Sep 11, 2010 16:11
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