By Times Online and agencies A Danish court has thrown out a defamation case against the newspaper that first published controversial cartoons of the prophet Muhammad. The City Court in Aarhus rejected the lawsuit brought by seven Danish Muslim groups claiming that the 12 drawings printed in Jyllands-Posten were intended to insult the prophet and make a mockery of Islam. While the cartoons may have offended some Muslims, there is no basis for the claim that the reason for printing them was to belittle ... generic viagra online pharmacy

do I need say any more? - no - thank's make!

Freedom of speech is one thing but freedom to lie is another...

"First of all, we would like to note that just as a defective eye may deny the sunlight, these feeble minds deny the nobleness of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). It is clear that history stands as evidence on the truthfulness, the purity and the lofty morals of Muhammad, who established a nation that enlightened the whole world with light and love."

"In Islam, it is well known that the punishment for the one who insults the Prophet is to be killed because it constitutes an attack against the Seal of the Prophets and the symbol of Monotheism. However, we Muslims are ordered to be forgiving and pardoning. There is a clear indication to this in the Qur'an as Allah Almighty says: (…Forgive and be indulgent (toward them) until Allah gives command. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things.) (Al-Baqarah 2: 109)

Although we categorically deny the perverted behavior of those ill-mannered people who attack the Prophet and insult him, we are ordered to call others to the truth with wisdom and fair exhortation.

Indeed, the enemies of Islam hurl insults and attacks not only on the Prophet but also on their own Prophets and Messengers. For example, the Prophet Moses was insulted in a film directed by one of those avowed enemies, and so was Prophet Jesus (peace and blessings be upon them all)."

Prophet "Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was a matchless leader, a veteran statesman in the full sense of the word, a father to the fatherless, a source of solace to the hopeless, a beaming light to the oppressed, an illumination to those who lost their way inside the dark tunnel of ignorance.

With matchless mercy, he treated his enemies. With astounding justice he instructed his companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) to treat all and sundry with due respect and fairness irrespective of geographical boundaries and religious inclinations. It was the character of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to meet the persecution and torture of his enemies with pardon and tolerance. He was the most merciful person. Allah called him as “a mercy to the worlds” (Al-Anbiya’: 107). He was merciful to his family, followers, friends, even enemies. He was merciful to young and old, to humans and to animals. Those who persecuted him in Makkah and killed his relatives and his followers, when they were defeated in the battles and brought as captives, were forgiven by him. He did not ever take revenge or retaliated. He was the most forgiving person.

Here, we would like to cite for you the following:

“Bleeding from head to toe, battered and exhausted, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was faced with a choice. Should he or should he not seek to destroy the people who had just humiliated him by having their children chase him out of town while throwing stones at him? And what was his crime? All he wanted to do was to share his message and seek to benefit his people.

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was in At-Ta’if, a lush town of green palm trees, fruit and vegetables, about 50 miles southeast of his arid hometown Makkah. He was hoping that perhaps the people of this town would be receptive to his message, which had been rejected by most of the Makkans for more than a decade.

However, the people of At-Ta’if proved just as cruel and intolerant as his own people. Not only did they scorn his message of Allah's Oneness, but they turned their youth against him as well. In the face of this misery, the Angel Gabriel was sent and presented him with an option: the whole town could be destroyed, by Allah's Will, for their arrogance and hatefulness.

He (peace and blessings be upon him) could have done it. He could have asked that those children who pelted him with stones be finished off along with their intolerant parents, but he didn't!

No, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) told the Angel not to destroy the people of At-Ta’if. Instead of cursing the children of this town, he prayed for their salvation. That is just one example of how this man, whom Allah describes as a "mercy to mankind" (Al-Anbiya’:107) dealt with those who opposed him. It is just one of the many examples in the life of a person who faced constant death threats, actual attempts on his life, and abuse and humiliation at the hands of those threatened by his simple yet profound message: there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger. The people of At-Ta’if were not the only ones who tasted this mercy. It was his habit to pray for his enemies all the time. Two of his most bitter enemies, Abu Jahl and `Umar were also the objects of his prayers.

The Prophet made similar supplications for his people on a regular basis: "O Allah! Guide my people, for they know not," he would pray, as he and his followers were beaten, humiliated, scorned and ridiculed.

On another occasion, some Companions came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "O Messenger of Allah! The tribe of Daws have committed disbelief and disobeyed (your commands). Supplicate Allah against them!" Contrary to the people’s expectations, the Prophet said: "O Allah! Guide Daws and let them come to us." (Reported by Al-Bukhari).

These are just a few glimpses at how the Prophet dealt with those who opposed him. His opponents were not just people who fought his message on an intellectual level, they were individuals bent on destroying him, his family, his followers and Islam itself.

Contrast this nobility with some ignorant believers today who are found cursing others and praying for the destruction of the world. We do not know the aims of individuals. We do not even know ourselves. So let's keep making Du`a’ that we stay on the right path and that Allah will guide others to it as well."(http://www.islam-online.net)

"In the very beginning, it should be noted that our love for our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is really great. This love places many obligations and duties on our shoulders. Among these duties is showing respect to him.

While showing respect to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) a Muslim should not mention the name of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) without a title, except in the tashahhud, as this is a command of the Prophet’s himself; he said, “Say, ‘O Allah, send blessings on Muhammad and on the kith and kin of Muhammad… etc.’”

Besides, Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, when calling him, does not call him with his name (Muhammad); rather, He calls him in a manner that gives an impression of glorification. For example, in the Glorious Qur’an, He calls him saying, “O ye Prophet!” and “O ye Messenger!”

So, it is better for the Muslim to show respect to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) because Allah commands us to do so. As for the Hadith that reads, “Do not call me “master” in prayer,” it is not authentic. Explaining the necessity of showing respect and reverence to the Prophet while calling him, Allah Almighty says: “ Make not the calling of the messenger among you as your calling one of another.” (An-Nur: 63)" (source:http://www.islam-online.net)

"it is an established fact that all the Prophets and Messengers of God were sent as light bearers to humanity; they all came with the purpose of upholding the truth, maintaining justice and bringing man closer to his Lord. In accomplishing this task, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), as well as other Prophets of God, had to undergo a series of difficulties, hardships and torment to make people grasp and believe in the message brought to them. But none of these Prophets initiated attack or aggression against their people. On the contrary, they tasted all kinds of torture and persecution in the course of their mission. So the main feature of all these Prophets was showing mercy and praying for their people's guidance. "(source: http://www.islam-online.net)

"“Almighty Allah says: “Say ye: we believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) Prophets from their Lord: we make no difference between one and another of them: and we bow to Allah (in Islam).” (Al-Baqarah: 136)

“Behold! the angels said: ‘O Mary! Allah giveth Thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah.” (Al `Imran: 45)

We believe in all the Prophets and Messengers of Allah. We respect and honor all of them without any discrimination. We believe that all Prophets preached the message of tawhid (monotheism) and all of them invited human beings to worship Allah alone and live a righteous life. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was not the only Prophet of God, but he was the last and final Prophet of God. Prophet Muhammad is not the founder of Islam; all Prophets were Muslims and they followed the way of Islam. "(source: http://www.islam-online.net)

"It may be a surprise to many people in America that we Muslims also believe in Jesus. Although we do not celebrate Christmas, but we do respect and honor the person in whose name this festival is observed. We believe that Jesus was one of the great Prophets of God. In the Qur’an he is called ‘Isa. He is also known as al-Masih (the Christ) and Ibn Maryam (Son of Mary). He has many other beautiful names and titles in the Qur’an. He is a highly respected religious figure. Every Muslim honors him, respects him and loves him. His mother is also highly respected, loved and honored. There are hundreds of thousands of Muslim men all over the world who feel proud and blessed to have the name `Isa; as there are thousands of Muslim women who feel honored and blessed to be called Maryam.

Unlike the Gospels or the New Testament in general, the subject matter of the Qur’an is not Jesus. The Qur’an speaks in detail about God, God’s will for human beings and about many of God’s Prophets and Messengers. Yet, all the basic facts about Jesus’ life are mentioned in the Qur’an. The Qur’an says in several places that Mary was a pious virgin who devoted her life in prayer and divine service. The angel of God one day visited her and gave her the good news of the birth of a blessed child. This was a miraculous birth as Mary was not a married woman. The virgin birth is clearly mentioned in the Qur’an and no recognized Muslim authority has ever disputed this claim. However, Muslim and Christian interpretations differ on the meaning of virgin birth. For Christians it was the sign of incarnation, the coming to earth of the Son of God. For Muslims it was a special miracle. For every Prophet a particular miracle was given according to the needs and challenges of his time. Since Jesus’ contemporaries used to deny the existence of spirit, they were shown the presence and the power of divine spirit by this unique birth. Jesus also performed many other miracles, such as raising of the dead to life, healing the blind and lepers, speaking about the hidden things. All these miracles show that material is not the only thing; there is something beyond the material that must be recognized. Jesus reminds us about the power of Divine Spirit. The Qur’an emphasizes that Jesus performed all his miracles only by the permission of God."
(source: http://www.islam-online.net)

"Muslims and Christians differ in their Theology (views about God) and their Christology (views about Christ), but they both believe in the same God and in the same Jesus. There should be better understanding and better relations among them." (source: http://www.islam-online.net)

"The Prophet Muhammad is introduced in the Qur’an in these words:
[And We have not sent you forth but as a mercy to mankind.] (Al-Anbiyaa’: 107)

This shows that his distinctive quality was that he was a blessing incarnate in word and deed.
According to a tradition recorded in the Sahih of Imam Muslim, when the Prophet’s opponents greatly increased their persecution, his Companions asked him to curse them. At this the Prophet replied, “I have not been sent to lay a curse upon men but to be a blessing to them.” His opponents continued to treat him and his Companions unjustly and cruelly, but he always prayed for them.
Once he was so badly stoned by his enemies that the blood began to spurt from all over his body. This happened when he went to Ta’if, where the Hijaz aristocracy used to while away their summer days. When he attempted to call them to Islam, instead of listening to his words of wisdom, they set the street urchins upon him, who kept chasing him till nightfall. Even at that point, when he was utterly exhausted and bleeding from head to foot, all he said was, “O my Lord, guide my people along the true path, as they are ignorant of the truth.”
His heart was filled with intense love for all human kind irrespective of caste, creed, or color. Once he advised his Companions to regard all people as their brothers and sisters. He added, “You are all Adam’s offspring and Adam was born of clay.”
All this tells us what kind of awareness he wanted to bring about in man. His mission was to bring people abreast of the reality that all men and women, although inhabiting different regions of the world, and seemingly different from one another as regards their color, language, dress, culture, etc., were each other’s blood brothers. Hence a proper relationship will be established between all human beings only if they regard one another as sisters and brothers. Only then will proper feelings of love and respect prevail throughout the world.
According to a hadith, the Prophet once said, “A true believer is one with whom others feel secure. One who returns love for hatred.” The Prophet made it clear that one who would only return love for love was on a lower ethical plane. We should never think that we should treat people well only if they treat us well. We should, rather, be accustomed to being good to those who are not good to us and to not wronging those who harm us."(source:http://www.islam-online.net)

@BV: Actually, the commissar is not speaking in the first person, i.e "just" giving his own opinion, but suggesting we all should engage in prior censorship:

"one should avoid making any statement like this"

From the quoted material it seems all the EU official did was point out that he thinks the catoons are offensive, disrespectfull and inappropriate. That's fine and even encourageable. People should be able to speak up about what they find offensive. Be it overly sexual advertising in the public space, cartoons showing the prophet Muhammed, legal euthanasia or portraits of bare breasted Madonnas.

However, it would be totally different if Fratinni was seeking to ban material that might be offensive. But from what's presented it seems he did not.

By calling the end of freedom of speech the author overreacts (once again) not unlike Fratinni by saying these cartoons are inappropriate.

We will see the mettle of the Danes now. I hope they will stand by their right to freedom of speech and not kowtow the PC party line and begin apologizing profusely. May God give them the dauntlessness to stand firm and tell the Marxists just where they can go and where to put their big, easily offended Mohammad.

At least their test was a success and we now know full well where freedom of speech lies in Europe. That would be six feet under ground.

Danmark should not even dignify the UN and the EU with an answer, but withdraw from both.

Well I'm no diplomat but my explanation would be very short: stuff it.
None of the UN nor EU's biz. The UN & EU should rather react against the mistreatment of Christians in the Muslim world.