Abstract
Freedom of expression is considered as one of the fundamental issues of the contemporary socio-political world. It has divided the society into two major groups; one is the follower of infinitive freedom and other wants some limits up on it. Definitely, Western thought is the representative of unbounded freedom of speech whereas Islam chooses the second one. Islamic concept of freedom of expression has various moral and legal bindings but in western perspective, only nominal legal restrictions exist, because revealed ethics are not concern of the western thought. These legal restrictions are meant to protect freedom of expression and individual rights and not to curb the acts of civil and religious defamation. Hence, these legal constraints are insufficient because the freedom of speech is unlimited and legal restrictions are either partial or nonexistent. In spite of presence of laws, the so-called racial discrimination and religious defamation have become the most dangerous and lethal weapon against minorities in the West, especially blasphemy of the Holy Prophet (SAW) has become a painful trend and cheap hobby under the banner of freedom of speech. In this regard, the limitless freedom of expression and its link with blasphemy of the prophet (SAW) as become one of the major conflicting issues between Islam and the West. In this study the efforts are made to examine the freedom of expression from Islamic and western perspectives and its link with blasphemy and religious defamation from the western side.
Highlights
Freedom of expression has become one of the most momentous issues in the contemporary socio-political global scenario
Western thought is the representative of unbounded freedom of speech whereas Islam chooses the second one
Islamic concept of freedom of expression has various moral and legal bindings but in western perspective, only nominal legal restrictions exist, because revealed ethics are not concern of the western thought. These legal restrictions are meant to protect freedom of expression and individual rights and not to curb the acts of civil and religious defamation. These legal constraints are insufficient because the freedom of speech is unlimited and legal restrictions are either partial or nonexistent
Summary
Freedom of expression has become one of the most momentous issues in the contemporary socio-political global scenario. We observe no consensus on its basic definition among Muslim and western scholars it’s not a mere difference of opinion but difference of thought and values as well It is observed all modern constitutions and organizations including the UDHR (Universal Declaration of Human Rights) and ECHR (European Convention of Human Rights), UK and USA Laws and OIC documents advocates for its importance. Unusual interest and key focus of western public and scholar on unlimited freedom of expression is creating some serious issues and problems for religious minorities- this phenomenon is particular to Muslims in the west. This outrageous tendency is creating unrest in Muslim community and disturbs the meaningful dialogue and peaceful relation between Islamic and the western world.
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