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A TRINITY LECTURER and Muslim scholar has said that he would consider legal advice if a member of the Irish media retweets or publishes a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed from Charlie Hebdo.
Dr Ali Selim, of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland, made the comments following the shooting dead of 12 people at the offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris today.
When asked by Niall Boylan on 4FM if he (Boylan) retweeted the cartoon would his life be in danger, Dr Selim – who condemned the shootings – said:
“Not your life would be in danger but definitely we will check the Irish law and if there is any legal channel against you, we will take it,” he said.
“It doesn’t help for peaceful coexistence”
He said he would advise Irish journalists not to reprint the cartoon. “Because it doesn’t help for peaceful coexistence,” said Dr Selim. He described the cartoon as “an act of mockery”.
“You can say love is stronger than hate but you can’t portray the Prophet Mohammed. If the law gives you the right to do it, do it, if the law does not give you the right to do it, then don’t do it,” he said of the cartoon.
Asked if he would seek legal advice if any journalist in Ireland tweets or reprints the cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed, Dr Selim said ‘Yes”.
“Definitely if there is a legal action, I will take it. If you want to blame, blame the law,” said Dr Selim.
“I am a great advocate of freedom of expression,” said Dr Selim, adding that he encourages freedom of expression that does not give room for confrontation, that does not turn one person against another.
He said that if anyone is offended, they have the right to express their disapproval within the boundaries of the law within the State that they live in.
Listen to the interview here:
https://soundcloud.com/bloodboylan/dr-ali-selim-on-classic-hits-4fm
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Je suis Charlie.
Tá muid Charlie
Is Mise Cathal
Ca bfhuil Cathal ?
Anseo agus anseo agus ansin freisin.
Absolutely no. If this self appointed censor succeeds, endless copies of the cartoon will be printed and circulated country wide. That I promise.
Nous sommes tous Charlie!!
Je suis Charlie. Tá mé Charlie. Yo soy Charlie. Jestem Charlie. Ik ben Charlie. Io sono Charlie.
Other prophets have followers with a sense of humour!
Here is a Newspaper Front Page full of images – Lots of offensive images. Christians, Jews, Muslims – if you’re offended don’t look – but you don’t have the right to stop someone printing them.
On the 2nd October 2014 Aoghán Ó Ríordáin tweeted that the gov had decided to hold a referendum on removing the offence of blasphemy from the constitution, yet on the 17th December 2014 a gov spokesman said that only the same-sex marriage question and reducing the voting age would be up for vote.
We have restricted Freedom of Speech here compared to France. We need to stand up in solidarity with those who were attacked yesterday and their ideals. Email your local government TD and demand that they include a vote on the removal of the offence of blasphemy from our constitution later on this year.
We either have free speech or we don’t? The journalists and cartoonists in Charlie Hebdo knew their satire may well cost them their lives some day and were willing to take that risk. That’s an astonishing sacrifice to make for something you believe in.
I’m appalled that Dr Ali Selim thinks that he could suggest telling the media such a thing in this country, and it breaks my heart that he stands a very good chance of getting away with it.
Why shouldn’t we satirise religion? Why shouldn’t we question it? For centuries in this country we allowed the church to dictate, we literally placed it on a pedestal and weren’t allowed to question, instead having to take everything on faith. Look where that got us? Now we’re told by men that their all powerful, all mighty God is offended by what we say or do, by a simple cartoon. His solution? What does the God of this peaceful religion instruct his followers to do? He tells them to take up automatic weapons and kill everyone.
Lets be honest here, anyone who doesn’t have similar cartoons on their Facebook pages, including The Journal themselves in support of fallen colleagues is not doing so out of fear, not respect. What they say and do in private is another matter entirely. This religion will never gain respect. I suppose We either have free speech or we don’t? The journalists and cartoonists in Charlie Hebdo knew their satire may well cost them their lives some day and were willing to take that risk. That’s an astonishing sacrifice to make for something you believe in.
I’m appalled that Dr Ali Selim thinks that he could suggest telling the media such a thing in this country, and it breaks my heart that he stands a very good chance of getting away with it.
Why shouldn’t we satirise religion? Why shouldn’t we question it? For centuries in this country we allowed the church to dictate, we literally placed it on a pedestal and weren’t allowed to question, instead having to take everything on faith. Look where that got us? Now we’re told by men that their all powerful, all mighty God is offended by what we say or do, by a simple cartoon. His solution? What does the God of this peaceful religion instruct his followers to do? He tells them to take up automatic weapons and kill everyone.
Lets be honest here, anyone who doesn’t have similar cartoons on their Facebook pages, including The Journal themselves in support of fallen colleagues is not doing so out of fear, not respect. What they say and do in private is another matter entirely. This religion will never gain respect. I suppose We either have free speech or we don’t? The journalists and cartoonists in Charlie Hebdo knew their satire may well cost them their lives some day and were willing to take that risk. That’s an astonishing sacrifice to make for something you believe in.
I’m appalled that Dr Ali Selim thinks that he could suggest telling the media such a thing in this country, and it breaks my heart that he stands a very good chance of getting away with it.
Why shouldn’t we satirise religion? Why shouldn’t we question it? For centuries in this country we allowed the church to dictate, we literally placed it on a pedestal and weren’t allowed to question, instead having to take everything on faith. Look where that got us? Now we’re told by men that their all powerful, all mighty God is offended by what we say or do, by a simple cartoon. His solution? What does the God of this peaceful religion instruct his followers to do? He tells them to take up automatic weapons and kill everyone.
Lets be honest here, anyone who doesn’t have similar cartoons on their Facebook pages, including The Journal themselves in support of fallen colleagues is not doing so out of fear, not respect. What they say and do in private is another matter entirely. This religion will never gain respect. I suppose Dr Ali Selim will complain about this post now.
This man (Ali) is an idiot. It is easy for people to find these images. It is called the internet.
Back when we were crawling around in the dirt, there was an empire where Muslims, Jews and Christians lived together. It was wealthy, (mostly) peaceful, educated, with scholars preserving the wisdom of ancient Greece, and making huge advances in Maths (al-gebra, al-gorithm), Astronomy, Medicine. They were hunted out of Spain – where the extremists – this time Catholic – expelled, hunted down, and tortured those who weren’t catholic.
All extremists should be feared. All extremists want to spread hate and fear so they can take power. We have to be free, free to point out the evils of radical islam, radical christianity, radical buddhism, facism, nazism.
There are people on these comment pages who are racist, full of hate, ignorant. They MUST be allowed speak, but their opinions must be challenged, they must be argued with. Their “ideal” world where people are judged for their skin colour, race, religion, is no better than a Saudi style salafist state.
And now for the stinker of the question that none of us want …..
If we believe in Freedom of Speech so much then we can’t really complain about the proposed Famine Comedy for Channel 4 …..
personally I don’t like the idea and won’t be tuning in but this does raise that conundrum – that is Mary Whitehouse always fascinated me – “Where do you draw the line ?”
And once you realise there is a line then those who draw it become very very important – their character their ethics and their understanding of the people for whom the line is being drawn ….
If you think about it – America crossed the line by invading Iraq and I haven’t seen peace since – Was radical Muslimism a problem before then ?
that s why
Ive posted the cartoon to my facebook page.. i urge everyone to do the same
he’ll get anything he wants here, with money for the boys. €40million be ok?
Everyone should send in pictures of Mohammad to him.
Je suis Charlie aussi.
@Dermot To be fair I don’t think we, or anyone else, has a right to be offended, we laughed at a priest Fr. Ted, we laughed at war comedies Allo Allo, Dads Army, Blackadder and multiple Carry On comedies which poked fun at historical events. We haven’t even seen this new comedy yet and some are already objecting, if anything all we can ask is that it’s funny.
It was a problem before then and has been since the americans ( ya still them) started supporting the sauids who use that money to promote the brand of Islam that these terrorists fall under
Dr. Selim should remember that his job as an academic depends on freedom of thought and freedom of expression.
“What does the God of this peaceful religion instruct his followers to do? He tells them to take up automatic weapons and kill everyone.”
Where does God say this in the Quran ? Making up “facts” as you see fit …
Dr Ali ..do not tell the Irish.what they can print in Ireland
Jedi –
Perhaps the difference between the two is that there is doubt whether religious beliefs prove the existence of God/Allah or any other deity , but the Famine was real and it is believed by many to have been deliberate genocide …. and backed up by the Queen’s top man in Ireland at the time ….
It’s a tough one to call – my gut and heart say no but my logic suggest that there was laughter during the Famine too despite the hardship (to put it very mildly)..
it depends what context I suppose …as in all things context is vital !
Are the people who oppose this famine comedy going to try to murder the producers of the programme, Dermot? There will always be distasteful stuff produced, but it needs to be analysed and stand or fall based on its merit. Killing people over media should be out, and not defended
Vive la liberte!
Samir, Jed I Knight was being sarcastic when he made that statement! It is this inability on the part of certain people, to interpret the subtle or satirical wit of the erudite that has led us to this terrible place where we find ourself today and before in NYC in 2001, Madrid 2004, London 2005, Woolwich 2013! I could go on and on but I won’t. I think you get the point. If people don’t, then have a look at here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Islamic_terrorist_attacks
Good point Beauden – I concur !
Its an Irish law passed by Irish people. He is just asking people not to break the law in Ireland
you have a very vague and romanticised version of Muslim Spain and of the Levant, I guess you never heard of the many risings of Christians and Jews in the Taifas (Iberian Moorish kingdoms) and thier reasons for doings so. I recommend you reads a few more books before making such a statement. I recommend starting with WHY I AM NOT A MUSLIM , by ex-imam IBN WARRAQ. And as to the keeping of the culture, it is explained in that it survived despite Islam. It is brilliantly explained in Warraq´s book.
“I am a great advocate of freedom of expression,”
(But I’ll use your ridiculous blasphemy law to suppress your freedom of expression.)
Everybody take note – when the referendum to remove that absurb blasphemy law happens this year, get out and vote.
Vov +100
And a big no no to O Riordain’s proposed hate speech/thought crime legislation. Freedom of speech is sacrosanct
Your man may be prepared to take millions of Facebook page owners to court so, I hope he has deep pockets and plenty of time.
He suis Charlie.
Je suis Charlie
Damn phone.
Don’t blaspheme against your phone Rusty! That’s its own freedom of speech :)
he’ll probably get any legal action paid for by the quango he ‘ represents ‘(islamic cultural center ), funded of course by us silly ar*e taxpayers ! if you find our western ways offensive ,then pack yer bags, get on a plane and go to one of the countries that has sharia law and is a muslim state. otherwise shut t ,f .up !
This is Ireland if anyone wants to come live here fine, but live as we live just the same way if we lived in your country we would have to live the way you live.
Unfortunately in this country we have Blasphemy laws. This means that you would probably have a case of a Mohammad cartoon was published.
Except that Mohammed is not God
Why would they have a case? The Journal had no problem printing a cartoon mocking Jesus. Perhaps a legal expert reading this can shed some light?
No you wouldn’t have a case. The image of Mohammed cannot be drawn or seen by anyone of the Muslim faith. Nothing in the Muslim laws to say, as a Catholic country, that we cannot do what we want. Free speech is a human right, don’t like it? Go somewhere else
Blasphemy is the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God, to religious or holy persons or things, or toward something considered sacred or inviolable.
Daragh, don’t you mean a “Christian” country??
It’s called freedom of speech. Religious people of any persuasion should be secure enough in themselves and their beliefs and not take offence. Catholicism is regularly criticised both here in Ireland and abroad and rightly so. Respect religion I say but also recognise that no religion should be immune to criticism.
I hope every media outlet in the western world republishes them in solidarity. Saloman Rushty said it well today :
“Religion, a mediaeval form of unreason, when combined with modern weaponry becomes a real threat to our freedoms. This religious totalitarianism has caused a deadly mutation in the heart of Islam and we see the tragic consequences in Paris today. I stand with Charlie Hebdo, as we all must, to defend the art of satire, which has always been a force for liberty and against tyranny, dishonesty and stupidity. ‘Respect for religion’ has become a code phrase meaning ‘fear of religion.’ Religions, like all other ideas, deserve criticism, satire, and, yes, our fearless disrespect.””
Sorry * Salman Rushdie
Excellent quote.
If you don’t like freedon of speech Ali you know where the airport is. Ill pay for your flight.
We’ll all chip in
This is insulting beyond believe. Why is this extremist a Trinity lecturer? If he has problem with freedom of speech he should leave and go to a country were it is not tolerated.
Some wise words from the tragically murdered editor, killed by one of this man’s co-religionists.
‘the prophet Muhammad is sacred to Muslims, but to Muslims only. I’m an atheist and he is not sacred to me. I don’t blame them for not finding our cartoons funny but they shouldn’t tell me under which law I should live.”
Co-religionist??!!! Lols. We’ve been through this Scipio. Hitler died a baptised Catholic. Does that make 80% of the Irish population his co-religionists? Your bigotry know no bounds.
Diarmaid many people are baptised Catholics. Including you I suspect. And many baptised Catholics stop being Catholics. Hitler was one such. If he had anyvreligious belief it was in a mish mash of Germanic Nordic paganism.
Good Question….. why is this extremist censor working in Trinity. Methinks a few letters to Trinity are in order.
I’m not sure how censorship is an appropriate response to the murder of journalists and cartoonists…
Thanks Thomas, just quoting Scipio’s nonsense from a previous thread and calling out his relentless attempts to say all Muslims are the same as extremist Muslims. Hitler was indeed a baptised non-practicing Catholic and was not as close to the church as other fascist dictators like Mussolini and Franco. To equate all Christians with all atrocities committed by “Co-religionists” is clearly deluded. I’m sure many of my 2 billion “Co-religionists” committed atrocities yesterday in places like Africa and South America!!
” I encourage freedom of expression” he says. Except if I don’t like it.
F@*k right off…
If he does find anything in our laws that says it is illegal to draw a cartoon of a fictional character well the law needs to be changed.
The Prophet Muhammad wasn’t fictional though Brian.
My God why don’t people actually know what they’re commenting about anymore?
Oh I’m just waiting for the comments section to be closed!
Freedom. Ya right! !
How do you know he wasn’t fictional John?
Images of Muhammed are prohibited in Islam. I don’t see why people think it is okay to offend the Muslim population because of the actions of a few lunatics. Ask the Irish in England how bad they were treated during the IRA’s bombing campaign. The right wing groups will try and milk this for anything they can get. Hopefully we have a population intelligent enough to stop this.
Yes John, and Jesus was real too… And Abraham and Moses and all the other prophets that there is absolutely no reason to believe are anything more than fairytales.
How do I know the Ruler of the Muslim world from 609–632 CE wasn’t fictional?
Oh I don’t know, history books I guess.
Joseph Smith was real too according to history. Doesn’t mean the Church of Latter Day Saints isn’t the most batshit crazy religion out there. Apart from all the others.
life of brian,,funny as fuk,,, lets go the stoning !!!opps
The Qu’ran is a history book now is it? Wow – have you read Harry potter?
I’m not going to jump down your throat but 80% of history is bollocks. We humans are very subjective and it’s hard to get the truth about what happened 1400 days ago let alone 1400 years.
France is not an Islamic state nor is Ireland
Muhammad the merchant may not have been fictional but the prophet bit is. However if you believe he received messages from God through the angel Gabriel in a cave when he was 40 that is your choice you are free to make.
As is my choice to ridicule it.
Was the carthaginian general Hannibal real? Was the Greek writer Homer real? Was Sun Tzu real?
Nobody has the right not to be offended!
Why can’t some people understand that.
As hitchens said “if somebody tells me I’m offended I’m still waiting to know what their point is”
How do you know he wasn’t fictional?
Everyone has the right to be offended. But to quote Ricky Gervais: “Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right.”
John, the prophet muhammed was fictional. A chap called muhammed may have ruled the Muslims but he wasn’t a prophet. Therefore he is fictional.
Is that clear enough for you?
Alright folks,
All I was trying to point out was that “Muhammad the merchant” if you will was a real man and not a fictional character. Like was mentioned above already he was as real as Hannibal, Richard the Lionheart, Saladin and a host of other leaders throughout history.
Read the original comment I was responding to.
the movie was banned and the cast was vilified.
The french magazine has been posting these types of cartoons for years of the 3 major religions. yet its only muslims that have taken such offence and thought it reason enough to first (a few years back) petrol bomb the headquarters and to murder 12 innocent people. An absolute disgrace!! Free speech should mean just that, not speak about everything except islam.
May all the victims rest in peace, thoughts go out to all involved and i truly hope the magazine continues with what it has been doing and does not give into these acts of terror!
This dazzling intellectual seems to not be able to grasp that getting upset and threatening legal action over a cartoon “doesn’t help for peaceful coexistence”.
Being intentionally antagonistic does no help for anyone. That goes for both sides.
I’m not sure where you’re coming from Ciaran but my opinion is that if the cartoons were re-published by the papers it would be a normal part of reporting on what has happened and not a deliberate attempt to antagonise anybody.
I wouldn’t have the same opinion if Niall Boylan was to tweet them though.
Oh I completely agree with you. I think it wasnt a great idea to publish the cartoon to start with, but it was completely downright vile, disgusting, wrong (any other word to describe how grotesque) it was to murder anyone over it.
And now this guy coming along saying that if you publish the cartoon again I’ll sue you. That only draws up more hate against everyday normal muslims. It’ll lead to alienation and a them-versus-us attitude and as you say doesnt help for peaceful coexistence
As I read this interview, his claim about ‘doesn’t help for peaceful coexistence’ is a not-too-thinly veiled threat. Dr. Selim, you are very welcome to come and live in Ireland – however if you choose to do so then you must live by our laws and mores.
Where is this picture? I’ll print it and stick it up on my window! The nerve of this idiot
Here are most of the pictures
Mohammed is a prophet, therefore a man and not a God. These hardliner Islamists fear portraying him will lead to people of their faith worshipping a human instead of Allah.
And that is why 12 innocent people were so brutally killed in Paris today by delusional terrorists. Dr Selim comments on the matter are so insensitive to those victims.
Mohammad first & foremost was a competent general & fierce conquerer.
His invention of Islam proved useful cowtowing tribes into conversion G submission.
He put to the swords tribes of Arabs that refused or resisted.
They should stick this guy in the spotlight more often, the voice of moderate islam in ireland. Might make people ask if he’s a moderate what are the muslim brotherhood head bangers in this country like
Didn’t Yusuf Al-Qaradawi the radical cleric, banned from a number of countries for his intolerance of Jewish women and same sex couples visit and speak at Clonskeagh a few years ago?
Sounds a wild moderate place to me!!!
Id give him a clatter of the book of kells and said him back to where ever he came from ! Not against Muslims meself just don’t like numptys
This is Ireland, we are a predominantly Catholic country and we actually have a sense of humour (see the government’s past & present to prove that) we enjoy the gift of having a laugh at just about everything including ourselves.If Dr Ali Salem has problems with us then he is more than welcome to sod right off and kindly take the rest of the headers with him.
Not really true – how many people signed a petition against a comedy about the Famine??
I don’t think it would be funny, or appropriate – but I don’t think that is a reason it shouldn’t happen. In the same reason every newspaper should reprint every “offensive” cover of the Charlie Hebdo – let all the religions take it – Christian, Jewish and Islamic.
How come this guy is employed by one of the most prominent educational institutions in this country?? Can somebody explain this please??
why is he even still employed by justifying these massacres over a cartoon. ah money money money.
Imagine what would happen if a Fr. Ted style sitcom was made about Islam…
That certainly would not be an ecumenical matter.
Lets all send him the cartoon in the post.
That’s not a bad idea at all, just to show the depth of feeling here about this issue and how much we value our freedom of speech. Dr. Ali Selim, c/o Trinity College should get him.
It would send a powerful message if he got thousands of them.
Brilliant idea. Or else stand outside Trinners holding placards dispaying them.
Avina , brilliant idea ! That would show him alright !
Our ridiculous blasphemy law, is what gives him a leg to stand on with his threat. We NEED to get rid of this hindrance to free speech.
Je suis Charlie
Stephen I was listening to this guy on Newstalk today and he failed to answer the question about Christians being killed in Iraq and Syria by ISIS. He said that the group has killed more muslims than Christians, but never fully answered the question.
Anything bar the truth should be deleted, hence why a lot of it is being kept up. No one person or group no matter how large will ever silence the Irish people, the French people or the European people as a whole. Je suis Charlie!!
You know where the airport is .. Stop stirring crap in our Country and threatening the Irish media ..
Tomasz, not surprise to be honest. This is the same institution that employs the likes of Ronit Lentin and the Labour creatures Bacik and O’Reardoin are both of it’s produtcs.
Sharia law has no say here.
Now is the time to stop it. UK have allowed in in some backward cities like Bradford and are already suffering the consequences
http://markhumphrys.com/clonskeagh.html#ali.selim
I am exercising my freedom of speech as an Irish and European citizen that exists on this free earth.
“Ali Selim says that sharia law should rule Ireland if there is ever a Muslim majority, 24 Sept 2006.”
“Ali Selim says he does not believe the London suicide bombings were carried out by Muslims: “events that happened in England – I personally haven’t seen compelling proof that that was done by Muslims.” Hot Press: “But the 7/7 bombers were Muslims!” “In my understanding, I haven’t seen proof that those who did that were Muslims.”
“He refuses to condemn Bin Laden. “Well, I don’t know him. Consequently, I can’t say I respect or do not respect him.”
If he don’t like it then back to where you came from. Good job Christians are not going around killing anyone that makes fun of Jesus or most of the journal readers would be wiped out.
Why have you not included the picture in question. I’m pretty sure if it was an article about any other picture causing a fuss the picture would be included?
I have asked the very same question and have being moderated for doing so. Of course no problem printing a Jesus cartoon from Charlie Hedbo in an article earlier on. The words Chamberlain, appeasement and cowardice spring to mind.
Clearly this is all the evidence required to get rid of Ireland’s blasphemy law. It was bad enough regimes like Saudi Arabia used us as an excuse for their repressive religious laws.
Hear hear ! Je Suis Charlie
Tell him he is no longer needed and send him packing. We have had enough religious extremism in this country. We don’t need any more. Freedom of speach reigns.
Can the journal print the cartoon or is that a no go area for you guys ?
#JeSuisCharlie
We live in the digital age lets all retweet the image of the prophet – what he and his religion of mercy going to do – shoot us all
I hope the Government steps in and blocks the monstrosity the muslims intend to build on the north fringe of Dublin,
Dublin city council have the model on display in there office window in Clongrifin, Its truly enormous, and the Irish public need to be informed before it goes any further, i implore people to check it out.
because allowing the tail to wag the dog has worked so well everywhere else…
“Blame the law for my actions”
Good man Ali, you’re so bang out of order right now, you’re even making a proud agnosic like myself scream “Bring it fu**in on”.
Incidentally, @ Niall Boylan, stop trying to be controversial for the sake of it, and I’m referring to your general MO, not just this matter. You’re no shock jock.
I’m sorry, but I have to say this. In Rome, do as the Romans do, if not leave! if you can’t accept its coulture, beliefs etc., than don’t try impose your ideaologies on that country, respect it. Freedom of press is vitally important, without threat of murder.
#JeSuisCharlie [*] I agree 100% with what you said and the Australian government approach to immigration: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-08-24/minister-tells-muslims-accept-aussie-values-or/2088062 I came to Ireland more than 8 years ago and I always felt very welcome. I appreciate it a lot and would never EVER expect Irish people to take on my values/beliefs just because I am Polish and there are many of us living in this country. I accept Irish laws, culture, enjoy everything Ireland has to offer – and feel grateful to be able to keep my own Polish tradition/customs at the same time. Even if there are some cultural differences sometimes I simply accept this, as it was MY CHOICE to come to this country and live here.
Do you come to live in English speaking country – learn English! Do you not like the rules, beliefs and culture of the country? Just go back to where you come from and take your violence and ignorance with you! And don’t call me a racist – I am an immigrant myself and know exactly what I am talking about here. Learn English, learn about the country you want to call your ‘home’ now, integrate with local people, stop relying on social welfare but get a proper job instead and NO ONE will ever say a bad word about you as an immigrant. I hate when people see themselves as victims and expect a special treatment just because they are members of certain group/religion, have certain skin colour or nationality. It doesn’t matter! Respect others and you will get respect back.
Journal have some balls and print Mohammad cartoon tomorrow lol. I’d like to see every world newspaper tomorrow having Mohammad cartoon on the front page. And Dr Ali can go and ask me b0ll1x.
How one Berlin newspaper responded -https://www.facebook.com/B.Z.Berlin/photos/pb.57187632436.-2207520000.1420710416./10153039731047437/?type=1&theater
Why don’t you do it? people are dead for doing it, don’t be stupid.
“It doesn’t help for peaceful coexistence”
Total passive aggressive, – the worst kind of aggressive.
Everyones afraid to say anything negative about the “religion of tolerance and peace”, we’ve had great fun at the christians for years with the likes of father ted but could you imagine a craggy island with “Imam Halawa” and the clonskeagh comedy troops?
As Bill Maher says ‘Islam is a religion of peace….they leave a piece of you here and a piece of you there’
Freedom of expression, freedom of speech- call it what you will means that commentators, cartoonists, any & ALL citizens can comment as they wish.
I am offended at times by others comments or opinions but frankly that is my problem. This individual should realise that the society that permitted him to be interviewed & express his opinions contains individuals who have the same right – whatever the medium they choose to use.
#JeSuisCharlie
Just goes to show how badly we need a referendum on our daft blasphemy laws, – ignoring the issue gives undue legitimacy this kind of nonsense
He was specifically referring to the Irish blasphemy law (as determined by our constitution). He also said if it wasn’t subject to the law he wouldn’t see a reason to pursue it.
I hope every media outlet publishes the cartoon. If you do not endorse the right of the media or any individual to make fun or laugh at any religion or doctrine then you are an enemy of free speech it is as simple as that.
Channel 4 news wouldn’t show it last night. John Snow made a point of saying something about not showing it. Something along the lines of ‘we’re not like that’. Ridiculous.
@Katie
Television channels in the UK are subject to regulation by Ofcom. Therefore, they have to be more careful what they say than newspapers and magazines. In other words, broadcast media have a duty to be impartial.
Im not sure I like the way he said “we” there. that infers a them and us type scenario no? It might just infer that “they” have been discussing the very issue already….
It should be posted on EVERY billboard, TV Station, and Social Media site 24/7, 365 days of the year!
I think the journal should post the cartoons
You are asking them to break the law in Ireland
Shane Coleman was burned by this man in his interview.
Show me the face that expresses freedom? !!
He can take all the advice he wants. It’s not just a satirical cartoon anymore- it’s part of a news story and on those grounds should be republished everywhere to a. Condemn what happened and b. Inform people.
Is this the same person who stated that Muslim girls should be permitted to wear the veil in school as it is part if their religious identity and then went on to say that Christian emblems (such as school crests) should be removed from Irish uniforms as they are offensive to Muslims? I know it was a Muslim lecturer in Trinity but I don’t know if it was him or another clown.
It was him
Andrea , you are right , it was this clown , the very same one who would not condemn Osama Bin Laden or Hitler , why in the name of God did we let the likes of him into our country , we Irish know all about the horrors that Religion can cause , as a Republic we need to be robust in our defence of the freedoms we have , women need to understand that Ali Selim and his kind will have them covered in a cloth prison , the Burka if he gets his way
So that’s where the trinners get their self righteousness from.
I’m a Christian and I won’t make fun of other people’s beliefs and I detest terrorism ! Let’s all learn to live peacefully and respect each other. Once there’s hate, there will be consequences. Praying for the dead.
Nice that you mock other people’s believes. But it does not mean the rest of us should be prevented from doing so, because of possible legal or even as we seen today violent consequences.
Kay Cee see how you go trying to establish a Christian Church in an Islamic state – they will certainly let you feel peaceful and respected.
Listen. There’s freedom or speech and there’s stupidity. Freedom of speech of saying privately or publicly I don’t like Islam, Jews, Christians, Obama. Stupidity is making jokes about Mohamed publicly, making silly jokes about holocaust publicly, making silly black jokes about Obama in front of the White House. There’s a line to freedom of speech and once you cross it you are being plainly stupid. You can go on an airplane and make a joke about Ebola then claiming freedom of speech. Ask the people who did that how it went for them. Majority of the people who publish silly cartoons of Mohamed do it to anger most of the Muslims ie inciting hate and it makes you wonder the difference between you and the murderers since hate is what you lot are spreading.
What a Charlie!
Aoife what was wrong with my posting?
yes, I have noticed some of the comments disappearing, very quickly on this topic.
Christianity seems to be, on an almost daily basis, fair game for the Journal and its commenters – but mention any other faith or minority group and the comments will be deleted pronto.
Much of the Irish media is the same. They know they can bash Christianity as much as they want – but they dare not say anything against any other faith.
The comment policy here is very selective. Sick of the double standards.
Dr. Ali Selim and his follower are a cancer slowly growing inside our nation. It is up to us as a society to make sure these people don’t ruin our country, if government wants to be politically correct then we’ll have to be politically incorrect.
the exact same sort of ‘cancer’ that was allowed to grow and fester in many parts of the uk for the last 30 or more years, entire communities taken over ,schools where traditional songs and rhymes were banned because of political correctness and a perceived ‘offence’ being caused to the non ethnic communities , classrooms where english is no longer the predominate language and lessons,entire areas where white people dare not go, areas in the capital city that are ‘patrolled’ at night by young muslim men who threaten and use violence on any person who they deem should not be in ‘their’ area, young girls being raped by gangs of asian and muslim paedophiles while the local authorities ,police and social services turn a blind eye so as not to offend or upset the muslim community. preachers standing on street corners calling for ‘jihad’ and the death of all infidels ,condoning the killing of thousands of innocent people because ‘its their religious right ” . families of convicted terrorists being kept in luxury by the taxpayer, while disabled ethnic people are being cast onto the streets.
a ‘cancer’ is a very good way to describe these people, because that is how they operate, they ‘eat away’ at society from the inside, destroy communities and take them over, then they move on to education ,getting onto the board’s of local school and changing policies, then its onto the local authority, getting members onto the local council,with in a few years they are running the local council, and spreading out to national politics and government .
britain has been suckered in by these people and aided and abetted by the goody 2 shoes in politics and power, it has taken many years , ireland is a much smaller country and it won’t take them anywhere near as long to ‘change’ our ways and laws . i have lived in areas where the muslim ‘community’ was allowed to take over and believe me ,once they get a foothold, they will not be stopped, with in a very short space of time you become the ‘ethnic minority’ in your own country !
The fact that this guy is more worried about a cartoon than the people who were just killed or what that attack does for the representation of Islam speaks volumes about Islam given that he is a representative. This is why Irelands done age blasphemy laws need to go. The human right to free speech should trump any religious right every time.
Islam is the evil cancer in Europe
See the comments section on this article is back open again.
I have seen numerous articles where your loosely enforced “comments policy” has been breached, and there’s been no closure or mass deleting of comments. You should not only review the comments being reported, but also the user/s reporting them. Kind of embarrassing when an article on a story so centred and focused around the right for freedom of speech, has its comments disabled because not everyone was exactly happy with such atrocities committed yet again by a particular violent and evil group of a religion.
A man of intellect and impressive qualifications, who has previously campaigned for strong Muslim ideas that fly frightening close to those taught by Shariah law to be made available and taught in Irish schools, comments hours after an atrocity where fellow Muslims MURDERED 12 innocent individuals. He confidently stated that he too thought the satirical cartoons, as in, pencil drawings by talented people, were blasphemous and “an act of mockery”. We can coexist peacefully once we go on their terms? “You can say love is stronger than hate but you can’t portray the Prophet Mohammed.” I have to say, I disagree with you Dr Selim. #JeSuisCharlie
Lot of comments were deleted too
Living in the area where the biggest mosque in Europe is about to be built and we just received leaflets on how to become a Muslim, how to greet a Muslim and how not to offend a Muslim! This offended me. #JesuisCharlie
Expect more of the same Deborah , people in your area need to wake up
At first it was not given permission, then Quatar got involved throwing money at it, then it was miraculously granted. As for the people, they are selling up, we get leafleted for that as well.
“….and how not to offend a Muslim”…
Man, they have some cheek. Are they looking to cause trouble? They are being accepted into OUR communities and they have he nerve to leaflet an area informing people of how they are required to act.
The people of your area should come together and inform this Mosque that they are there at the whim of the communties good will and that it is THEY that will be the ones looking ‘not to offend’.
Man I’m so sick of sky fairies and their followers.
Take to the streets, perhaps?
Did you know that any lunatic can call themselves “Doctor” so long as they don’t attempt to practice as a medical doctor? Many use the term to lend credence to their extremist views. In my opinion the possession of a doctorate in religious studies is akin to a similar doctorate in leprechaun studies.
paisley.
Brilliant, I laughed out loud to that:
” In my opinion the possession of a doctorate in religious studies is akin to a similar doctorate in leprechaun studies.”
they buy them, gadaffi’s son bought a few of them as well. they’re no more doctors now than beats or dre.
anyone who has completed a phd. something im sure you have not. Did you pass your junior cert?
From : http://www.ehall.ie/freedom_of_speech.html
“The guarantee, however, is not one of absolute majesty. This is so because Article 40.6.1.i of the Irish Constitution provides that the State guarantees liberty for the rights of the citizens to express freely their convictions and opinions, subject to public order and morality.2 Specifically, that provision in the Constitution provides that organs of public opinion such as the radio and the press must not be used to undermine public order or morality or the authority of the State. In effect, prior restraint receives constitutional sanction. A controversial epoch of prior restraint which lasted 23 years came to an end on January 19, 1994 when the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, with the approval of the Government, decided not to renew the annual “Section 31” order.”
Hey Mr Ali Selim,
I’m an Irish man, and I’ll reserve my right to take the piss out of ANY sky fairy that I see fit.
IF you don’t like that, you can shag off to else where in the world that has a mindset that suits you!
Regards.
Brillant
We HAVE to stop all European appeasement to Islam. Give them an inch, they’ll take a mile.
They’re not here by invitation, we merely tolerate them, but that tolerance is worn very very thin. We’ll print what we like, we’ll say what we like & this clown & his minnions can go kiss our a€€. Yeah you hate us non-Muslims, but love our welfare freebies, now go shove your bloody medieval dogma, we don’t want it.
He gave a talk at our school,pretty patronising,although he seemed like a decent guy
What happened to the interview link ?
Hang on now Mr Alo, I’m pretty sure we don’t live under Shariah law so I can’t see how it would be illegal to publish a cartoon of Muhammad or anyone else we like.
The Irish constitution has an article dealing with Blasphemy. Time to get rid of it.
Anyone else sick of Muslims moving to Western countries and then telling us what to do. Lived next door to the Islamic Society of Boston (in Cambridge actually) and every weekend it was another demand. If you don’t like it here, or Ireland or Canada or France then how about we send you back to your crappy country
Spreading democracy (our system), regime change, western values all exported globally and millions of westerners living in muslim countries for over 100 years. Im sure there not sick of it at all.
The last time I checked, Ireland was a free state, where the ideals of freedom were very much alive. If the good Doctor is offended by our culture, I’d be more than happy to cover his taxi fare to the airport. He is entitled to be offended of course, but he’s not entitled try and change his ADOPTED society to suit his beliefs.
he is asking people to respect the law in Ireland.
Can anyone give me a definition of “Muslim Scholar”. He is also described as a Trinity Lecturer. What does he lecture in?
We Irish are renowned for our ability to self criticize, laugh at ourselves and say the most awful things to our best friends and family, without any offense intended or taken. Why should anyone who does not agree with our way of being be afforded the right to shut us up? Our country – our way of doing.
Je suis et je resterais Charlie bien que souvent je ne suis pas d’accord avec eux.
a great man for the freedom of expression is the Dr until it comes near Islam get to be facked Dr.
Coexistence he says…..cannot wait for them to start building the Catholic Churches here in Saudi Arabia….bring it on…
Failte Ireland should put a notice on its web site explaining Ireland is not an Islamic state to clear up confusion
Deport this Dirtbird and anyone that supports him. Its time for the Government to grow a pair and start removing these creatures from our country. And its time for the PC brigade to climb back into their box and stay there.
Here’s a cartoon of Mohammed, suck on that Dr Selim!
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Dedicated to Ali Selim
Good work, Juan
You have really been invaluable to the debate. You are obviously a genius and not at all a bigot.
Comical Ali. Oh don’t upset the Muslims? is this what we have to put up with in our own country. These people coming to our country for whatever reason and telling us what we can take the piss out of and what we can’t. yeh right F off back to where you came from. Like the innocent “Irish” guy who went to Egypt on a family holiday and tripped up and fell on to a stage at a Muslim brotherhood demo gets arrested and then comes crying to the government for help yeah right.
Amazing how the Imam tries to disassociate himself and Islam from this. “I’m not doing this, this is the law, you have to obey the law”. These people who support Islam are Irish citizens and will point out that this is not your country anymore, you don’t get to dictate to Muslims now that they are Irish citizens.
It’s ok for them to dictate to the rest of the Irish what they can and cannot say and print and what rights and freedoms the Press have to Free Speech. Free Speech is incompatible with Islam. You can burn bibles and curse Jesus, Buddha and Ganesh, but Mo is off limits.
You can say that its not Islam but rather a few radicals but that’s not true. If you are part of a wicked ideology that does wicked things and you don’t speak out, you are just as culpable. Isn’t it amazing to hear the Imam getting exercised about cartoons and threatening his fellow citizens but he is quiet when it comes to condemning the supposedly few radicals who allegedly have hijacked his faith? When is the last time a Catholic Extremist beheaded a Kaffir? Or a Buddhist or Jew?
How many Muslims held a vigil outside the French embassy last night? Hamas has huge support in Ireland but did Hamas condemn the senseless killings in Paris? or the Rabbi’s in the Synagog? Or the baby killed in Israel at a bus stop? The Hamas supporters in Ireland are strangely quiet over the Paris killings? These type of attacks occur every day in Israel but no protests here? Given that one of the French Police Officers killed was a Muslim, where is the condemnation from the Muslim World?
If you read the Koran as I have, the Imam is following it to the letter. No criticism of the prophet, who is not God or Allah by the way, it gives him permission to believe that Muslims are superior to all others. You can lie and say that its not Islam and Muslims all you like Dr Ali, but when in Rome or Ireland its the will of the majority not the minorities.
The Shoe Bomber was a Muslim
The Beltway Snipers were Muslims
The Fort Hood Shooter was a Muslim
The underwear Bomber was a Muslim
The U-S.S. Cole Bombers were Muslims
The Madrid Train Bombers were Muslims
The Bali Nightclub Bombers were Muslims
The London Subway Bombers were Muslims
The Moscow Theatre Attackers were Muslims
The Boston Marathon Bombers were Muslims
The Pan-Am flight #93 Bombers were Muslims
The Air France Entebbe Hijackers were Muslims
The Iranian Embassy Takeover, was by Muslims
The Beirut U.S. Embassy bombers were Muslims
The Libyan U.S. Embassy Attack was by Musiims
The Buenos Aires Suicide Bombers were Muslims
The Israeli Olympic Team Attackers were Muslims
The Kenyan U.S, Embassy Bombers were Muslims
The Saudi, Khobar Towers Bombers were Muslims
The Beirut Marine Barracks bombers were Muslims
The Besian Russian School Attackers were Muslims
The first World Trade Center Bombers were Muslims
The Bombay & Mumbai India Attackers were Muslims
The Achille Lauro Cruise Ship Hijackers were Muslims
The September 11th 2001 Airline Hijackers were Muslims
you know your history/ Well, you know your “what the muslims did” history. I could do a western version but there is not enough space or time for me to write all the evil things done to muslims and muslim countries in the last 50 years. Millions dead…enough said!
death threats = prison time.
Bring it on, bully.
Only one answer to this. Publish the cartoons. Muslims cant dictate to the rest of the world what can or cannot be published.
Ireland,
Fasten your seat belt, sadly, your muslim problem is about to start.
Just as this Neanderthal Ali Selim mind is trapped in the 10th century and is unable to co-exist in 21st century Ireland and are incapable to speak the same language.
Ali Selim is attempting to enforce Sharia laws, and is in direct conflict with Irish laws and way of life.
Ali Selim is a future terrorist.
deport him and his band of satanists back to the dark side (islamic countries).
Held to ransom over this idiot , I really hope the Irish papers publish these cartoons of Allah.. If he doesn’t like it he should F off back to Middle East with he’s camels .
‘Choose not to be harmed and you won’t feel harmed. Don’t feel harmed and you haven’t been’. This was written by the Roman emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius around 2000 years ago. For harmed read offended. Taking offence is a personal choice. Being shot is not.
All publications should print cartoons by Charlie Hebdo in solidarity with the victims of this senseless crime.
He just drew a threat ,boi.
Deport him
The goal of the Islamists is to intimidate Western countries into effectively imposing Sharia/Islamic law upon itself, to engage in the sort of ideological self-censuring that Muslim countries impose upon themselves. They do this by launching attacks on the likes of Charlie Hebdo in Paris.
Ireland should not do what Dr Ali Selim is threatening that we should do. By cow-towing to cowardly Islamic bullies and being too scared to republish Charlie Hebdo cartoons (it would actually be a sign of strength and self-assurance if an Irish media outlet were to republish them), we would be vindicating these Muslim terrorists.
Am I right in thinking that posts with links to article on ICCI , MB and Ali Selim have been removed.
The solution for the blasphemy law is simple. If he wishes to take a blasphemy case, then surely he needs to prove that religion is a real tangible thing, that Mohammed was a prophet and received messages from a superbeing called god. Then it truly is an offence against something. Otherwise it is an offence against an idea.
Obviosuly I am aware that despite living in the modern world, you can have ideas about many different subjects, politics, health, fairies, many things, however, for some reason if you call the idea religion, it gets special place.
This is not specific to Islam, it applies to all “religious ideas” no idea should be free from challenge, and humor is a form of challenge.
An excellent logical post. Well done and thank you
What does this chap teach…medicine??
Dr Ali, should have a little respect himself , for the families of the murdered, but respect, seems to be a one way street for these boys.
Have thejournal.ie been deleting innocuous posts again?
have they ever stopped?
The problem with blasphemy laws is they are impossible to enforce. If you are accusing anyone of blasphemy or sitting in Judgment of what is blasphemous, you yourself are being blasphemous, as it is blasphemous to second guess God or speak with the authority.
All I said was ‘That was a meal fit for Jehovah…’!!!
This chaps response might be more ‘mannerly’ but he is as equally intolerant as those men who gunned down those people yesterday
If he wants that, I’d say publish it!
Is this guy irish…if not he should have no say and keep his mouth shut tight!
I completely believe that one should respect others peoples religions. If you go to a temple cover your head etc etc. but this is plain ridiculous. How dare he basically threaten the irish media and try force compliance with his believes? I don’t start throwing around threats of law suits when someone publishes a picture of Jesus. Plain ridiculous. His comments actually make me want to print of copies and stick them everywhere. Ridiculous. Especially on a day where peoples lives were taken.
Print away lads, print away!
This person should be thrown out of our country immediately / you cannot reason with a fanatic
Defending freedom of speech by expelling someone from Ireland for asking people not to break the 2009 IRISH blasphemy law. Free speech indeed! Pure class lol.
Freedom of Speech get used to it so I hope everyone keeps posting Cartoon all over the world and to hell with them
Assassinate this dirt bag posing as a scholar.
He’s a jihadi sympathizer.
Death to them.
I’ve had three absolutely hate free, non discriminatory, just plain shocked and outraged, comments deleted on this thread so far? Can you please explain to me why?
Kanye West is offensive?
People will see this just as an act of control. In many Muslim countries the police will attack Christians for wearing the cross publicly.
So when you are in any country you abide by that countries laws and beliefs, it is what people do and the fact is that many immigrants that live in this country and others can not see this because they have taken all their beliefs with them. They still think and believe as they did according to where they were taught what they believe and the hardest thing for anyone to do is to change their own beliefs. Change means growth when done in a positive manner but to control what others do is to tell them that they are wrong and when you do that they stop listening to you. Asking is always better than telling but trying to force an issue can create resistance, if everyone did what minorities told them then there be state censorship.
My view is God created free will so why should any man / woman deny what God gives as a gift, if it does no harm?
The cheek of this interloper, I’m putting the bomb head picture up in my car tomorrow.
Dr Ali Selim comments may have done us some good! He highlights the sick blasphemy law that in 2009 brought in a new offence of “publication or utterance of blasphemous matter”. How sick is this law? By having this law , we now are trying to justify the fanatic fringe who will be offended by whatever suits themselves. What if I am offended by those females who are subjected to the “coverage” that does not extend to their male partners? oops! I forgot its an Irish law but not for Irish people. We need this law abolished to protect our free speech. Je suis Charlie.
well said
PS.je suis Charlie, aussie.
If I could put the picture up I would not to upset my many Muslim friends but just to piss you off Dr Ali Selim
I always think the notion of a Muslim or Christian scholar or Theologian is so meaningless as to be funny. How can you be a scholar of complete nonsense? As someone said, having a theology department in a university is as pointless as having a department devoted to the works of Harry Potter.
Je suis Charlie
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6429552
Dr Ali Selim needs to book the first flight out of this democracy. His values are a thousand years in the past. If he feels offended by being here then …GO…..GO NOW.
He is talking about an Irish law passed by Christians in 2009. Are you saying screw the law because the guy is a muslim?
I think any offence stemming from one religious believe or another should be considered unreasonable and not protected by law. Or shall we go back to the days where Life of Brian was illegal?
It is protected by law and has been since Irish Christian men and women introduced the law. No Muslim was involved to the best of my knowledge.
On an article where the right to express an opinion is central to the debate why have so many comments been deleted? Comments that asked questions and were not personal, attacking or threatening. Journal admin- cop on!
The question we should be asking is why someone so against the right to express yourself moulding young minds his beliefs are his beliefs and he’s entitled to them we are entitled to ours also there’s a cead mile failte for anyone who wants one .on the other hand there are copious amounts of airports and seaports if you don’t.
You dont like the freedom we offer here – you are equally free to leave and go to Saudi Arabia or a similarly opporessive state.
Who is this idiot
Ok, my earlier comment on this story was inoffensive & relevant. It garnered 4000+ green thumbs but it’s no longer here. Can someone please tell me why? Aoife?
Dear Dr Selim
I hope that Irish journalists and journals respond to your threat in the only suitable way…..by plastering those cartoons on every front page
G F Y
Je Suis Charlie
Tweet it , pin it , share , google+ etc across every Irish Social Network.
Were neutral here in ireland lets not go down the road of publishing stupid cartoons.
Are we neutral to freedom of speech David ? , what you really mean is say nothing in case you might offend , I have no intention of saying nothing in my own country , bullies always need to be confronted , Selim can go live his Islamic life somewhere else , we will not have Sharia law in our Republic
Neutral to freedom of expression? P*ssy
We’re or were? Big difference
Should minorities control the majority as that would be an attack on democracy, in other words anti-democratic?
Great Input
Its bigotry hiding behind humour coming from a nation with a long history of killing and oppressing Muslims.. Lets see how funny it is if British newspapers go back to producing cartoons depicting Irish people as drunken sub humans.
look up the law genius. he is talking about an irish law passed in the dail (D E M O C R A C Y)
But Irish immigrants never tried to take over any other culture and turn it Irish, that is what the Muslim fundamentalists like ISIS are doing and if you don’t then they kill you or rape your child?
How is the hateful bigot working in our education system. Back in September he released a book about why Ireland should be teaching islam in every school. He released it on September 11, when asked if it was a coincidence, his reply was basically, no!
Who does this jerk think he is JE SUIS CHARLIE.
If I draw lines on a piece of paper, where do you “draw the line” between what in my line drawing offends you to the point of suing me or not? Where, between a Charlie Hebdo cartoon and a self-portrait by Leonardo Da Vinci is the line where you decide that your “offense” justifies suing me?
If my lines draw a cartoon that ever so slightly challenges an unexamined idea in your religion, something that stimulates you to think more deeply, will you defend me against your fellow religious adherent who finds it “over the line,” and wants to sue me? Why would your limiting line be more valid than his? What is to keep him from suing you as well for the lines you say in your disagreement that offend him?
You cannot escape the reality that your lines are all, ALL arbitrary and subjective. Blasphemy laws are legalized coercion, intimidation, and blackmail, and they are testimonies to the weakness, corruption, and intellectual bankruptcy of the religions they protect.
Nothing should be so “sacred” that it cannot be discussed, debated, dismissed and, yes, even defamed! There should be NO blasphemy laws! Complaining about “blasphemy” is, on its face, idiocy. Every religion on the planet is “blasphemous” towards the other religions. Each religion claims to be the “true” religion, and that the other religions are “false” religions. This will continue until religion ceases to exist.
No problem. I think we, in turn, should disseminate the Koran more widely by printing it on toilet paper, and using it in the customary manner.
Selim’s idiocy is clear each time he opens his mouth.
He has the effrontery to threaten the rest of us if he doesn’t like what we say.
His inability to understand and accept the concept of free speech is only to be expected when one considers the culture in which he was raised. He’s not a Wsterner and never will be.
I was struck by the different comments of both a Muslim American born CNN reporter, and an Irish convert to Islam in Galway, each of whom said whilst they found the cartoons offensive, respected the right of the authors to publish such material. Selim and many elements of his version of Islam need to be dragged screaming and kicking through the wringer of enlightenment.
Selim ought to pick up a history book to better understand the history of this sstate, aand bear in mind that there’s a big commemoration in 2016.
One of cartoonist who lost his life to today in a cowardly attack on the values and principles of Western Europe, had said about threats on his life due to his depictions of Mohamed “I’d prefer to die standing than live on my knees”. So threaten legal action all you like we wont be intimidated away from free speech or free expression if he’s not happy with democracies there are plenty of barbaric dictators around the world who would agree with this man perverse and evil ideology
I can understand the mass hysteria but this is the law in our country, are we a nation of laws or at times of mass hysteria do we break the laws as we please? The Irish government, which was elected by the Irish people came up with this stupid law only 5 years ago. This guy is 100% right and anyone who intentionally tries to humiliate Muslims by mocking their religion will be breaking the law and should face the full force of the Irish legal system. This law should never have been passed and now all the media, elite of Irish society and politicians who did nothing, said nothing and in many cases supported this law that had people all over the world laughing at us are now flip flopping because of the mass hysteria.
To all the Irish people who don’t agree with this guy asking Irish people not to break the law, if you don’t like the laws here you don’t have to live here. Go to France, they lionize their bigots.
Retweet it
Let’s see the religious (Christian) right defend the blasphemy laws when another religion uses it.
All in the name of Allah,I want to see all Muslims in every country condemning this cowrdice act, freedom of speech for all if U don’t like then please feel free to move to where ever would suit your beliefs. ..Please go to where you feel it might suit your life style clearly it’s not my country or another other country of freedom for ALL, so no no no no you will not dictate to us….
have your say