Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

It is very simple. Are you willing to give up your constitutional right to freedom of speech? That is exactly what will very likely happen if the world continues to implement anti-blasphemy laws to avoid offending fanatic Muslims in hopes they will not react violently.

In Islam, if someone is even perceived as having insulted Islam, the individual may be tried and or attacked by a mob, or even sentenced to death.

You might ask if Islam commands that those who insult the religion should be put to death? Under Sharia law, those who insult Muhammad or Allah are to be put to death. So are those who desecrate the Qur’an, or commit other insults. Qur’an (6:93)— “Who can be more wicked than one who invents a lie against Allah?” If the death penalty is prescribed for lesser crime, then it stands to reason that it should be imposed for the most “wicked.”

This tradition began with Muhammad, as recorded by his biographers, and in the Hadith Bukhari (4:241). Those who mocked Muhammad at Mecca were killed after he had retaken the city and asserted his authority.

More recently, a leaflet was circulated stating “The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria announced the beginning of the implementation of Islamic law regarding the execution of all those who curse Allah, hurt his sacredness or treat him improperly, and all who curse the prophet (Muhammad), hurt his dignity or refer to him in an appropriate way.”

AsiaNews reported that in March 2010, in India, a Christian professor (TJ Joseph) at Newman College was accused by an Islamic fundamentalist group (Popular Front of India) of using offensive questions about Muhammad. Under constant threats, TJ apologized publicly for his “unintentional error. However the apology was not sufficient. A few months later, TJ was attacked by a group who cut off his hand and part of his right arm.

In November 2013, CNN reported that a western security contractor was dragged from his car by a dozen men and was severely beaten. The contractor allegedly insulted Islam by tearing down flags of important Imams.

After viewing a YouTube video of an Egyptian Muslim destroying a Koran, a white-robed Dr. Mahmoud Sha’ban, was supposedly shaken and said: “Someone like him must receive the punishment he deserves—and it is death.”

In England, author Salman Rushdie published “The Satanic Verses,” a 1988 novel deemed offensive to Muhammad. The Ayatollah Khomeini pronounced a death sentence that was, and still is, supported by Muslims around the world.

In 2006, when a Danish newspaper published cartoons of Muhammad, Imams whipped up hatred that resulted in deadly rioting on three continents. Demonstrators in London held signs reading “Massacre Those Who Insult Islam.”

It was reported, in July 2013, that a Saudi court sentenced activist Raif Badawi to seven years and 600 lashes for insulting Islam through his website and on television. Yet, Saudi Arabia claims it supports reform.

In January 2013, ABC News reported that 14-year-old Mohammed Qatta selling coffee in northern Syria was arrested by Islamist rebel fighters for insulting the Prophet Mohammed, beaten and then executed in front of his family. Qatta simply refused to give a customer coffee, saying “Even if [Prophet] Mohammed comes back to life, I won’t.” I do not understand how his comment insulted Mohammad.

I refuse to give up my freedom of speech here in the United States of America, in fact anywhere, in order not to anger Muslims in hopes they will stop their violence. I pray that you agree with me. We must continuously speak out and remind our elected officials of what is important to the American people. Appeasement has a history of failure.