Bravo Putin

In a world torn apart by religious hatred and contempt for the ‘other’, Russian President Vladimir Putin should be lauded for building bridges with the world of Islam, specifically mentioning the fact that it is not okay to disrespect the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

While speaking at a press conference in Moscow recently, Mr Putin said insulting the Noble Prophet (PBUH) is in fact a “violation of religious freedom” and that such devious acts violated the “sacred feelings of people who profess Islam”.

Bravo Putin! In a global scenario where political correctness and hypocrisy reign supreme, the Russian leader has spoken the plain truth: that it is out of bounds to insult a figure nearly two billion people hold closest to their hearts. Critically, the Russian leader pointed out that in certain countries respect came in “short supply”.

Vladimir Putin’s comments have been welcomed by Prime Minister Imran Khan, amongst others, with the PM observing that this message should be spread “to counter Islamophobia”.

Before getting back to the Russian leader, let us consider a few things. Unfortunately, for centuries many in the West — specifically orientalists and clergymen — have taken it up as a sort of divine mission to defame Islam. Blatantly Islamophobic texts include Dante’s 14th century ‘Divine Comedy’ have been hailed as classics by some. Unfortunately, it has been kosher for centuries to disrespect Islam and its sacred figures. This hatred and disdain for Islam is today given the sacred cover of ‘freedom of speech’.

Under the West’s two-faced policy, those who defame Islam, and its sacred figures must be protected under the umbrella of freedom of expression. However, Holocaust deniers can be sent to jail. Now it should be made clear that no one is defending the Nazis or their monstrous crimes during World War 2. However, questioning the events of WW2 in even a scholarly manner risks inviting the opprobrium of the West. But insulting Islam and its revered figures is ok. Something doesn’t add up.

Clearly, what is at work here is a stark difference in civilizational values. We, the aqvaam-i-sharq, or ‘people of the East,’ as Allama Iqbal so beautifully put it, retain our deeply spiritual roots, though efforts are fervently underway to disconnect us from our origins and make us mindless materialistic zombies. The West, unfortunately, has jettisoned spirituality — even its Christian roots — though the animus against Islam remains even in supposedly secular societies. Consider the fact that French President Emmanuel Macron went out of his way to defend blasphemous caricatures.

Coming back to Mr Putin, the Russian leader — perhaps heading the last major bastion of Orthodox Christianity — apparently realises that what is needed now is bridge-building between cultures, not more insults and offensive rhetoric. As he rightly pointed out, deploying offensive tropes gives rise to extremism and violent reprisals. However, it seems some in the West seem to enjoy provoking Islamic societies by desecrating their sacred figures.

Perhaps the Muslim world needs to work on two fronts here. Firstly, the largely useless Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (Oh, I see), must activate itself and move beyond statements. During the 1973 Arab Israeli war, the Arab, Muslim-dominated Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) successfully used the oil embargo to punish the West for its blatant, naked support of Israel. Today, some of the richest states on the globe with lucrative markets are located in the Muslim world, specifically the Gulf. Instead of destroying our own societies during anti-blasphemy protests and causing self-harm, it would be more intelligent for OIC members to organise economic boycotts of states that insist on blasphemy against Islam, and disrespect of our sacred figures. In a global system ruled by mammon, the staunch crusaders of freedom of speech may very quickly come round to respecting religious feelings when a market of over 2 billion people becomes inaccessible to them.

Secondly, the Muslim world must work with states like Russia that believe in coexistence and mutual respect. While the West seems busy worshipping the idol of free speech, Russia and other like-minded Muslim states seem to be realising that to help bring order to global chaos, respect for religious beliefs is a must. This means that Muslim populations worldwide must also assure minorities in their countries that they respect them and their beliefs. After all, respect is a two-way street.

Of course, freedom of speech and expression must be respected as well. But the line must be drawn at offence, insult and incitement. After all, if someone uses coarse language against my family, I will hardly want to embrace them and respect their ‘freedom of expression’. Similarly, on the macro level, no one should be allowed to insult and use invective against the sacred figures of any religion.

The Holy Quran 14 centuries ago warned Muslims not to insult others’ beliefs; clearly the holy book gave this message for all times — seventh century Arabia as well as the modern age, where globalisation and the hypersonic speed of communication technology can ensure that incitement and religious hatred result in bloodshed within minutes if not stopped. Both Muslims and non-Muslims need to heed this divine message in order to promote tolerance and mutual respect.

It is hoped that other non-Muslim leaders have the courage to make statements similar to those made by President Putin. In order to promote tolerance and fight extremism, this is the best path forward. The Muslim world must respond to this overture in kind and promote the spirit of co-existence. The fact is that both sorts of extremists — those who provoke believers by insulting sacred figures, as well as those who call for violent responses against innocent people — will be neutralised and isolated through such moves.