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Published: 2010-05-20 06:48:36 +0000 UTC; Views: 4841; Favourites: 85; Downloads: 0
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Islamophobia as the new McCarthyism: [link]PLEASE READ THIS :: if your comment blatantly ignores what I have written I will not respond to you and will most likely remove it.
This is a piece in response to "Draw Muhammad Day" where many artists and doodlers will take the time to mock The Prophet and, consequently, upwards of 1.5 billion Muslims in the world, including the ones they are aiming to offend: the handful of Muslims in NYC who threatened the lives of the creators of South Park. The idea behind this is to give those specific Muslims more than just South Park to target I guess. While this is all in the name of freedom of speech, all it really does is perpetuate Islamophobia.
I am not a Muslim. I am not a practicing Christian or a Jew. And while I have no problem with the concept of God I frequently find myself uncomfortable, but nonetheless fascinated with organized religion. Faith is a gift I have never been blessed with, though I truly admire those who love something greater than themselves and dedicate their lives to it.
But a great man like The Prophet Muhammad who was ridiculously progressive for his time deserves the respect of people throughout the world. He freed thousands of people, in his lifetime alone, from the monopolizing, oppressive, slave trading tribal system of 7th century Arabia. He thought and fought against this system with free men and women at his side. His Revelations solidified the Arabic language, which would affect an untold number of languages in the future. And when he was finally forced to battle his enemy, he changed the global laws of warfare forever, abolishing rape, desecration, and the taking of slaves.
Regardless of where your faith lies, regardless of how some of his later followers might have used his words and deedss, Muhammad remains a hero to his people. He lived and died to make his world a better place. That is more than I will ever do in my lifetime, and it is more than most of you will do as well.
So I give you a drawing of Muhammad on the 20th of May, not to mock him or the millions of Muslim's who cherish him, but to have at least one drawing out there today, by a spiritually confused American (who also watches South Park), that honors his life of submission to God. The God who led Abraham, Moses, David, Mary, Jesus, Peter, Muhammad, Fatima, Ali, and billions of people over thousands of years. The God who has inspired some of the greatest paintings and sculptures, some of the greatest buildings, some of the greatest cities, some of the greatest wars and persecutions, and some of the greatest books, writings, minds, and calligraphy mankind has ever seen.
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Comments: 157
He may or may not have existed, and he definitely wasn't magical. But drawing a picture should NEVER, EVER be reason for murder.
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you're not a practicing Muslim, Jew or Christian but yet you have so much respect for Prophet Muhammad, and even believe that he actually received revelations from Allah? For one moment I thought I was dreaming...but wow. Finally an artist who appreciates him! I'm really feeling great after reading this, this is really a breath of fresh air! I hope those anti-Islamic turds will get their heads straight after seeing this.
Thank you Robbie. This is a great and respectful artwork, and what you had to say about this was even better!
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Thank you, I'm glad you liked it! Sorry I am so late in responding. I rarely log in to deviantart anymore.
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What do you think about the terror attack that happened in France today? The shooters yelled out they avenged Muhammad after they killed 12 people.
What are your thoughts?
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1. Whenever Prophet Muhammad(s.a.w.s.) was mocked and ridiculed by the pagans, he didn't say anything to them.
2. Here's a verse of Qur'anΒ "And be patient over what they say and avoid them with gracious avoidance." [73:10]
3. I do not support the attackers, but however I pity those 'victims'. They could've used their talents to spread messages of positivity and niceness, instead of inciting ridicule and hatred against an already misunderstood ethnic group. I'm pro-freedom of speech and I'm an artist myself, but that doesn't give me the right to insult someone. I'm a Muslim, but Allah did not give me any right to kill someone I don't agree with.
4. They did not avenge Prophet Muhammad. He's already dead and doesn't need avenging. Even when Prophet Muhammad was alive he didn't take revenge on anyone, so why should they? Instead, what they did is to turn the whole world against Muslims.
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um...all of your points are pretty relevant but...there's one thing: You can't say Prophet Muhammad 'died'. He never did. He's going to come back on the day of judgement. So, religiously speaking, he is alive but he is with Allah in the heavens.
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In the Qur'an Allah says something like 'Muhammad(s.a.w.s.) was only a messenger and all other messengers have died. Will you then disbelieve after he passes away?' And about being in heaven, that'll happen after the resurrection insha Allah.
You might be referring to Jesus's(a.s.) second coming, who is still alive in his bodily form. Is it a coincidence that I'm working on an artwork based on that event?
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ohhh never heard of that before..So, nice to learn something new today and clear up my confusion! 
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i'm a Muslim and i must say im very touched by what you wrote.
Muslims all over the world cherish him immensely and do not ever want to see him being mocked.
i do understand global frustration over Muslims being violent over free speech or over Muslims' way of lives which are often mocked as oppressed, but you really have to see it in our point of view on why we chose the life we did. I do know that some people abuse their families and they're Muslims, but try to understand that those are people and not the religion itself. Look outside of Saudi Arabia.. Look at Malaysia, look at Indonesia, look at Dubai. Not all Muslims are like that. We are all humans and not all of us are the same.
I'm sorry that my comment just went out of topic. Haha.
But I really hope the world has more people like you. The world needs more love, tolerance and respect. So thank you.
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Thank you for your comment. I'm glad you liked it!
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Exactly!
I'm agnostic but I think Its better to draw ponies than Mo.Β
Even if I don't have a faith, I still have to give them respect.Β
Unless if they use it to hurt others, then I call them out.
But yeah. Draw ponies for respect~
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*gives you a virtual hug* Thank you so much!
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This is an amazing picture, I was wondering if you have put it up other places. You obviously are different than many other americans in the sense that your eyes are not clouded by misconceptions that are spoon fed to us. I thank you for your artistic abilities. You are truly an amazing person.
Thank you.
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No, I just kept it here. Thank you so much.
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This picture is beautiful. It appeals not only to the eye but to the heart as well. I find this to be as respectful as it could be while still making the point that anyone can draw or produce whatever they wish. As a tolerant American raised Mormon I've grown up with a feeling of separateness within my own religious community. I'm a firm believer that other people make their own choices and it is not our place to change them, we can try to help the and try to show them a respectful example but that is all. As my Ada has always told me common sense is not that common and most people don't learn from the mistakes of others, they must make those mistakes themselves.
Anyway back on topic, this picture is great because it could be anyone of the Islamic faith (or another for that matter) who lives their life like Muhammad, in a peaceful and loving submission to their God. Once again very beautiful in all aspects.
Adalia
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Thank you for your comment, Adalla. I'm glad it spoke to you in such a way
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I constantly come back to this piece. I don't know why I never favorited it before, but I knew every time I left it without doing so, I felt somewhat like I was forgetting to do something.
I love the simplicity behind this. I love your notes on it as well. Honestly, I admire the thought you put into your work in general and as a whole.
Wonderful and powerful.
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I love your drawing, but you are misinformed about Muhammad. He was tolerant when he first received his alleged revelations, but he was never a freedom fighter. The area around Medina at the time was populated with nomadic tribes. There was no monopolized system. Muhammad united many of the people by getting them to follow him. He led them on raids against other tribes, stealing booty and kidnapping women. He also lusted after very young girls, infamously marrying Aisha when she was 6.
Also, the God of Abraham is not the God of the Muhammadan Muslims. They worship the chief God of the pantheon of the pagan Arabs in Medina, the rock God Allah. Mohammad decided that people should only worship Allah, and eventually the other idols were destroyed, and only the black rock remains in Mecca.
If you're curious about where I got this information, I got most of this from a blog and series of Youtube videos made by an Iraqi exile. [link] He gets his information from the original Arabic religious texts, and historical accounts of people who knew Muhammad. I've also started reading the Quran, but I haven't finished it yet.
I'm not hatin' on you, I'm just trying to set the record straight.
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I'm a Muslim and I must say, that ALL of ur information is wrong and vile. Our Prophet NEVER laid hands on women or females in general, he also didn't lust young girls (God forbid) and married Aisha when she was in her mid teens and that was only because Allah asked him too. He never had any sexual contact with her but rather treated her with respect and taught her the teachings of God. This 'Β Iraqi exile ' is a Kafir as seen at the end of his blog template and as such, he will do anything to disrespect and demoralise Islam. U r definitely NOT getting reliable information from the right sources. And as for the Quran, in the case that u r a non-Muslim, u r NOT allowed to touch or even READ the Quran. I've heard of many people like u who claim to read the Quran but in the end, it is always a Shia interpreted version. The Shia version is very much DIFFERENT from the Sunni one.Β
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And is that why they kill each other constantly?
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I realize you asked this question LONG ago but I once read a very interesting essay comparing what is happening with Islam right now to the Protestant Reformation which gave us such gems as the 30 Years War. Hopefully it will not be so devastating, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to hang around for another hundred years or so to see how it turns out. Β
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What? That doesn't even make any sense at all. Those 'Muslim' terrorists killed millions of people. Islam has severe punishment for those who take the lives of the innocent for NO reason. These terrorists are stupid to go ahead and claim that they've 'read' the Quran and then kill unsuspecting civilians. In this case, they aren't even followers of the Quran which contains the many messages Allah passed onto Muslims which also means they aren't Muslims.Β
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- My source is from several accredited scholars, professors, and experts on Islam and from taking a course while in college. Mainly Reza Aslan, Karen Armstrong, and Seyyed Hossein Nasr. Several of whom translated and studied original documents and accounts as well. It should be noted (for both our arguments) that while Muhammad was alive nothing was written down. So anything we have now is subject to the politics of whoever wrote it years after his sudden death.
- I didn't say it was a singular, organized system. There were many traditions, but most had similar practices so to save space I labeled it as "Arabic." It was long enough already.
- Of course Muhammad led raids... his very existed was hunted by the people in charge at Medina for taking "business" away from them. How could his city survive in 7th century Arabia otherwise? He led them after being attacked over and over. As for taking treasure and women, what I have read disagrees.
- Muhammad, when he destroyed the Idols in Medina, kept the idol of Mary and Christ because he notably looked up to Christ as great leader and thinker. Islam is considered an evolution of Judaism and Christianity and the Quran address how to respect and appreciate its predecessors. Medina, and its downfall, was mostly about money, politics, and self preservation.
- He married several girls/women for political reasons and peaceful negotiations, which was very common in his time. Girls were married off at very young ages for a VERY long time. It was not unusual. What was unusual, and ahead of him time, was for Muhammad was to first stay married to one woman for 25 years until her death.
I suggest you read more books, from differing authors for different opinions, and actually finish the Quran
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I will read other sources and finish the Quran. 
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i once read a book about architecture in constantinople and it had a islam doctrine that said that no living being should ever be drawn (it sprouted the art of grammar art)
just saying that when it comes to art, there are two doctrines, this one and another that says that animals are okay to draw
that was century ago so i don't know if its still the case today
on a side note, in that book was a mural depicting a military victory of muhammad (and he was the central point of the mural) but funny thing is, this was made while he was still alive!
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Actually, even now, u shouldn't draw animals and humans but u r allowed to draw plants, scenery, still life and many other art forms.
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this is much too limiting
life is the juice of the world. limiting oneself by not drawing can be liken to an insult to it.
foregoing drawing life makes one unable to celebrate it with art.
this is what it feels
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No, it was implemented because: a) It seems like we are challenging God and b) Many people waste their talent by drawing disrespectful and offensive things (such as how other artists have taken 'Draw Muhammad Day' as a chance to draw obnoxious images). I don't mind not being able to draw humans and animals. However, if the situation proves that the drawing of humans and animals is mandatory, a Muslim can be excused and is allowed to draw them. Life can be found in plants, nature, scenery, landscapes etc. too.Β
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sure plants and landscapes are beautiful, im not denying that but its not everything that existence can offer. to limit oneself is...
i dunno
the way i understand it, the message sent by choosing not to draw human and animals means something else.
like those subject are not worth being drawn, like they are inferior things that shouldn't be drawn.
the message i understand that way is that humans and animals aren't drawn out of disrespect from the artist.
drawing something celebrates it.
because when a person talk (or draw) about something, its usually because a person cares about the subject. if the subject is ignored, its because a person does not care about the subject.
incidentally, i learned that in literature classes.
in a way, even when its mocked, the artist show he cares enough about the subject to point out its flaws.
lets take political caricatures for examples. it might mocks and point out the flaws in politics and politicians, but it also points out things that needs to be corrected. why? because, in a way, the artist cares about the political system and wants it to better itself by correcting theses flaws. i think i've read that in a book about caricaturists
if i remember correctly from my history classes, artists of all kinds have always been a conduit for societal changes. they might mock it, but its only so it can better itself.
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hm...for most of the part I agree with u. However, I don't believe that if a person mocks something that they care about it. It only shows that they don't care about it, the people who might be affected or anyone else for the matter. Politics and mocking something are totally different things. When u 'mock' politics, u aren't really even making fun of it. You're clearly pointing out what u'd like to be different in order to fit ur needs. Hpwever, in the case of mocking, u rn't pointing out any flaw but rather making a fool out of it.Because if what ur saying is 'true', then the next time a bully makes fun of a kid it means that the bully wants the kid to change who he is for the bully???Β
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no, that would be pure violence, thats not the same thing.
we are talking about ART here, not physical or verbal assault, theres a difference.
theres also a difference between gently mocking (like a caricature) and downright insulting (like degrading art).
like always within humanity and everything it does, theres good and bad.
but foregoing the entire subject just because one can be afraid of the bad?
now thats just going too far.
one can choose to not look at what one's doesn't like, but thats no reasons to try and stop others from appreciating the subject (like art). as long as said subject is not harmful to begin with anyway (like violence).
afterall "A person's freedom stop where the freedom of another's begin."
its a balance.
on a side note, i wonder where i got that quote.
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well, most artists draw such things to purposely insult people who support the topic. You can't avoid it because they are literally flailing it in your face, forcing u to look at it in order to derive pain and emotion. Most of the time it's just like they say, 'curiosity killed the cat'. If an artist wants to draw humans and animals, fine go ahead. However, if they are going to choose to misuse such an advantage, then no, never in a million years. There is good and bad but somethings are better left alone. Not only do they create trouble for oneself, they can also affect millions of people. For example, there is 'freedom of speech' for a reason. If u r going to misuse it and take it as an opportunity to insult and downgrade a sensitive topic without having any valid reason to, then it is wrong and vile. Most of the time, such people have no idea whether the information they have is right or wrong. Same goes for art, u have the freedom to draw but don't misuse it and insult something without knowing much about it in the first place. If u draw humans and animals and the like, it's totally fine. Just don't misuse ur freedom and waste ur talent on pissing others off. btw, that's a very true quote. You sir, are very intellectual and calm. I am impressed and feel at ease to be conversing with such an intelligent human being.
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" If you are going to misuse it and take it as an opportunity to insult and downgrade a sensitive topic without having any valid reason to, then it is wrong and vile"
i agree
unfortunately, the world being a world, i have to accept the fact that this kind of stuff will exist.
when you come across it, report it and then move on with your life. no need to get too hung up about it unless its really gross.
though with art in general (outside of horror settings), most of the time, the really gross stuff is not that often found.
most of the deliberately insulting stuff i find is either pretty low-key, just being petty or so absurd to be downright comical.
in a way, i guess that for art to be truly insulting, it needs to be planned, conceptualized and thought out so that it hits the right buttons of a human being. this intellectual work is why this kind of art is comparatively rarer.
most of the makers of insulting art simply do not have the patience, skills or intellectual energy to do that. a lot of it is simply made in the spur of the moment, so its not exactly that effective in the end.
interestingly, i guess that this type of art is more common in art galleries, made by artist deliberately playing on the "tortured soul of an artist" stereotype.
something else that pretty much ends up being very ironic would be a mocking art where the target ends up acting EXACLY the same way as depicted in the art. now who would be the one at fault here? the one doing the art or the one confirming its validity? its weird like that.
another type of insulting art is the accidental insult, where stuff is insulting but only by accident. for example, a character's name meaning something else in another language. like the name says, its accidental and pertain to the viewership rather than an author's intent so there is little to be done or be offended with. the best course of action in those cases is just to shrug and walk away.
anyway, in the end, i feel pretty jaded by art trying to be insulting. considering that the internet is such a cesspool of hatred and verbal violence, seeing art (which is considerably rarer that text messages) trying to do that just feel so...low-key.
i just feel "meh" about the whole thing
oh and thank you for the comment.
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hm...yes. That is very true. The state of the Internet and gradually, the dA community is quite saddening. I have been directly insulted by people about my religion on dA too. I did report it. Twice in fact. They told me to stop being such a 'cry baby'. They didn't understand how much pain it had inflicted upon me. And yeah, u r so right sometimes 'hate art' isn't even planned out properly and most of the time the 'accidental insult' gets more hate than the 'purposely insult' does. Ur welcome and thank u again for holding up such a calm conversation. We really need commenters like u on the Internet.
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sorry for not replying faster
and thank you very much for the compliment.
unfortunately for the rarity of calm conversations, internet just...isn't made to favorise this kind of behavior. it mostly favors impulsive reactions protected by anonymity, which pretty much result in "insult the other before your are insulted" thought process.
in the same vein, i have seen quite a few blogs entirely dedicated to hating one person. poor tom preston
unfortunately
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it is okay and your welcome.
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well, i guess this conversation ran its course so see ya!
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haha, I guess so too. Bye!
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Hahaha! I actually really like how rules in religions (and culture in general) evolve over time. I know that like some of the 'drawing is bad' stuff was based on like the idea that creating art was mocking god's power to create or something like that? My brain is kinda failing me right now...that might not be right. But regardless I think its an interesting way to interpret art and the effect, or power if you will, it has on people.
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maybe, its a valid point
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im a muslim and i love it but why muhammad raise his hand and pray to the moon..muslim not worship the moon god
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It's more of just a visual way to combine the Islamic crescent in the image, nothing suggesting worship.
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