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Special Report
Defaming Islam: Malaysia Lectures America About Freedom
A study in hypocrisy.
The United Nations again lived down to its reputation. The recent ministerial meeting in the General Assembly provided a moment of unintended hilarity. Commenting on the controversy surrounding the recent film critical of the Prophet Mohammed, Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman asked, “Why is it when Muslims are stigmatized and defamed, it is defended as freedom of expression?”
He apparently imagines a world in which Muslims demonstrate striking forbearance in the face of shocking intolerance. He imagines a world in which Muslim states do not routinely persecute Christians, Jews, Baha’is, and other religious minorities. He imagines a world in which non-Muslims do not face arrest, prison, and death for “blasphemy” toward Islam and Muslims do not face arrest, prison, and death for converting away from Islam.
Minister Aman imagines a world in which Christian girls are not kidnapped and forced into marriage in Muslim nations. He imagines a world in which Muslim mobs do not murder Christians, destroy churches, wreck Bible schools, and wipe out entire Christian villages. He imagines a world in which Muslims treat religious minorities as they demand to be treated in societies in which they are a minority.
It is a wonderful world. But it is not the world in which we live today. To the contrary, most majority Muslim states discriminate and many persecute non-Muslims as well as minority Muslims. There’s no need for individuals to defame Christians, Jews, and others when the state imprisons and kills them.
Minister Aman’s wonderful vision does not even describe his own country of Malaysia. There are worse countries, to be sure. But Malaysia now is lecturing the rest of the world about religious defamation and freedom of expression.
How does Minister Aman’s government treat Christians and others who believe differently than the majority? Consider what the most recent State Department report on religious liberty said of Malaysia: “… the constitution as well as other laws and policies placed some restrictions on religious freedom.” Muslims are barred from converting to other faiths, “although members of other religions may convert to Islam.”
Religious minorities “have expressed concern that the secular civil and criminal court system has gradually ceded jurisdictional control to Sharia courts, particularly in areas of family law involving disputes between Muslims and non-Muslims.” Moreover, “religious minorities continued to face limitations on religious expression, including restrictions on the purchase and use of real property.” Further, there have been “reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice.”
Yes, the Malaysian government certainly has moral standing to lecture Americans and others about the terribly unfair treatment accorded Islam in the West.
Malaysia is no better on freedom of expression. Freedom House gives Malaysia a 4.0 freedom rating, in the middle of its one to seven system. That leaves Malaysia only “partly free.” Noting promises of political reform in 2011, the organization reported that “hopes for reform were undercut by crackdowns on academic freedom, violations of religious rights, and the passage of harsh new legislation on assembly late in the year.”
The State Department published a detailed 57-page report on the state of human rights in Malaysia. It makes for depressing reading. Concluded State: “The most significant human rights problems were restrictions on the rights of migrants, including migrant workers and refugees; and the persistence of laws that allow detention without trial.”
But that’s not all. Other issues “included some deaths during police apprehensions and while in police custody; caning as a form of punishment imposed by criminal and Sharia courts; restrictions on freedom of press and religion; obstacles preventing opposition parties from competing on equal terms with the ruling coalition; and violence and discrimination against women.” Ethnic Malays receive official preferences and “there were restrictions on union and collective-bargaining activity.” The government continued to prosecute the opposition leader on sodomy charges that many believed to be trumped up.
Other than that, everything is wonderful in Malaysia. No wonder Minister Aman felt entitled to lecture the West about freedom of religion and expression.
What is striking about the West is the fact that nominally Christian governments allow and sometimes even finance the defamation of Christianity. Think of a crucifix submerged in a jar of urine, elegantly titled “Piss Christ” and funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. Think of the movie The Last Temptation of Christ, defended as artistic expression despite the outrage felt by many Catholics. Think of Larry Flynt’s parody of the late Rev. Jerry Falwell, which the U.S. Supreme Court declared to be protected by the First Amendment. Think of the routine criticism of religious beliefs and figures in America today.
Yet Minister Aman is horrified because someone had the temerity to — shock! shock! — criticize Islam.
That the functionary of a government which unashamedly restricts both freedom of religion and expression would lecture the rest of the world about both issues comes as no surprise. That the rest of the world seems reluctant to equally unashamedly defend these liberties is disheartening.
About the Author
Doug Bandow is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute. A former Special Assistant to President Ronald Reagan, he is the author and editor of several books, including The Politics of Plunder: Misgovernment in Washington (Transaction).
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Darin| 10.18.12 @ 6:47AM
Until and unless Islam gets out of its 7th century mindset, it will remain a religion of hate. I don't see that ever happening. Further, since Islam includes a belief that it's acceptable and laudatory to lie (taqqiya), any supposed reforms must be met with skepticism.
Cromulent| 10.18.12 @ 11:52AM
Boy you still don't get it. Islam is what it is. The passions wax and wane but the basic character has not changed. And the restrictions Malaysia is erecting are just their version of the Pact of Umar. Look it up.
TLP| 10.18.12 @ 12:20PM
Obviously, I'm missing something in the translation.
To Minister Pigshit, from Shitinthestreetland, I would simply inquire - How does one "Defame" a Religion that Straps Explosives to their own kids, in the hope that when they blow themselves up, they will Kill someone else's Kids, as well?
How does one "Defame" a Religion that holds their Babies on their Laps, in an Aircraft, as they prepare to Blow Up the Plane with the Liquid Explosives they have secreted in their Child's Baby Bottles?
How does one "Defame" a Religion that Buries their Wives and Daughters in the back yard, up to their shoulders, and then all of these women's Own Male Relatives (Including their Sons) throw Rocks at their Heads until they are Dead, because their Husbands had his Friends Rape them, or their Fathers insisted that his 10 Year Old Daughter Marry a 70 Year Old Afghan Opium Growing Goat Herder, in exchange for a Chicken, a Goat, and a Shiny New Pail for keeping his Rocks in.
Please explain how one Defames the INFAMOUS?
Mars the Avenger| 10.18.12 @ 1:32PM
Well, if we had a REAL president running the show instead of this global lickspittal, then he would tell Minister Joe-shit-the-rag-man Aman to STFU and mind his own F-----G business..... as well as any other global busybody who stuck their nose in our affairs.
TLP| 10.18.12 @ 2:57PM
Contest, Tomorrow.
It will be on the Entirety of the last 4 years, and this Election.
Look for the Clues.
btims86| 10.18.12 @ 6:50AM
The prudent thing for the US and Western nations to do is to stop or greatly reduce Mohammedan immigration. Have less and less to do with the Mohammed world. Produce our own energy. Ignore the Moooooslims.
Von Mises Jr| 10.18.12 @ 8:31AM
I posit that we send our liberals to Pockeystan, Iran and Syria rather than let the Islamist fascist come here.
Andrew McCarthy writes in "The Grand Jihad" that the socialist and Islamist collaborate since they both have statist worldviews. They figure that they will fight it out or divide the world up once they get rid of liberty and free markets.
I say "why wait." Send our statist there and let them at it.
TLP| 10.18.12 @ 2:58PM
Contest, Tomorrow.
It will be on the Entirety of the last 4 years, and this Election.
Look for the Clues.
John786| 10.18.12 @ 7:03AM
I have long supported the notion that the US should disengage financially & militarily from Muslim states. The relationship should be based only on beneficial trade, and contacts at the individual level. But we know that aint gonna happen. Money & power is used to support corrupt elites to safeguard what the US regards as it 'interests' but which others regard as malign influence. The Arab revolutions are certain to bring change.
Alex Feltham | 10.18.12 @ 7:40AM
This breathtaking cheek is only possible under the cover of multiculturalism.
Ordinary people suspect the meme of "misunderstood largely peaceful religion" but we need to let loose the full force of western intellectual inquiry on vulnerable Islam.
Read "The Innocence of Infidels" at:
http://john-moloney.blogspot.com/
Mike Rogers | 10.18.12 @ 10:19AM
We should tell Islamic governments politely but firmly that we will treat all people equally under the law. We will not diminish freedom of speech or religion, and thus we will prosecute any activity contrary to our laws.
Forced marriage and mistreatment of women in our societies will be punished with long prison sentences. Murder under guise of Sharia will be treated as murder and may be subject to the death sentence depending on state laws.
Nations persecuting religious minorities must be told that neither their goods nor their people will get preferential treatment for importation/immigration. Those fleeing such regimes as victims of persecution must be told that asylum is contingent upon renouncing Islam and obeying western laws.
Non-citizen Muslims in western countries must be put on notice that activities contrary to the laws of the land may render them liable for repatriation.
Taqqiya? Go ahead, lie your @$$ off, we will judge you by your actions and deport you if necessary.
Oh, and about those mosques? How about a size limit, not to exceed the size of any Christian church within a one mile radius?
TLP| 10.18.12 @ 11:27AM
There is a LINE that needs to be Drawn, and Enforced, wherebye Civilized Men will not tolerate the Barbarism of anyone, be it their Religion or not.
When the British were running things in India, back in the day, the British Governor ordered an End to the Indian "Religious" Practice of Burning Widows, alive. He properly declared the practice to be Murder, and he vowed to Hang anyone, who who did it.
When Representatives of the Indian People pleaded their 'Case' for continuing their Practice of Burning Widows, the Governor made his position clear.
"If you want to continue what you are doing? Go ahead and build your Pyre. And, I will have my Carpenters construct a Gallows, right beside it."
The Practice ended.
Enough kissing Muslim Ass.
This is OUR Country, and we have OUR LAWS.
They want to kill their Wives and Daughters?
Fine.
They'll spend the rest of their lives in a tiny cell, thinking about the next Pork Dish, that'll soon be pushed under their Cell Door.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.18.12 @ 1:36PM
"The Governor made his position clear.
'If you want to continue what you are doing? Go ahead and build your Pyre. And, I will have my Carpenters construct a Gallows, right beside it.'
The Practice ended."
I have also seen reports that the Governor followed up with "We will accept your practice of burning widows if you accept our practice of hanging those who do".
TLP| 10.18.12 @ 3:00PM
You are my Rock, Albert.
Contest, Tomorrow.
It will be on the Entirety of the last 4 years, and this Election.
Look for the Clues.
TLP| 10.18.12 @ 3:02PM
Be on the lookout for The Celebrity Guest.
SUBVET| 10.18.12 @ 7:58PM
I heard it was Stine.........
Grassmarket| 10.18.12 @ 11:12AM
It is even more ridiculous and insulting than you realise. Malaysia is a country with a Jim Crow constitution in which ethnic Malay Muslims (bumiputras) benefit in perpetuity from many legal and economic privileges unavailable to the other ethno-religious groups in the state.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A.....f_Malaysia
cicero| 10.18.12 @ 1:55PM
The West has been suffering from (terminal) cowardice for several decades now. The same West that destroyed fascism and communism is now cowering at the proposition of standing up to Islam, an ideology that makes no sense in the modern world, and barely makes the grade as "civilised" on several grounds. Unless we take our culture back from the liberal multiculturists, we will be doomed. The frog is in the water for us, too, and the heat has been turned on.
ncatty| 10.18.12 @ 2:30PM
It is incorrect to compare other religions to Islam. Islam is a political structure.
TLP| 10.18.12 @ 3:04PM
No.
It's a Pagan Religion that Worships a Moon God of Blood.
Alej| 10.18.12 @ 6:17PM
Yes. It is a political concept... people control cloaked in religion. Not a hell of a lot different from Middle Ages Christianity, wherein the Pope could tell kings what to do by threatening their entire kingdom with "interdiction," or excommunicating the entire populace of said kingdom.
Religious veneer, but totalitarian in concept.
eloris| 10.19.12 @ 9:59PM
Well, it sure is a great step forward for progress that our politicians now break down in gales of roaring laughter at the idea that religion should inhibit them from doing anything.
However, if that's your standard, Islam is better. They've never had a religious leader who had the slightest power to slow down political figures.
hashman| 10.18.12 @ 6:02PM
Mr. Bandow,
The title of your piece has the words: “Defaming Islam”. Please, sir, explain to me how Islam can be defamed? It’s rather like defaming Satan. What could you possibly say about Satan that would besmirch his character? Evil, sir, is evil.
Please understand, this is not really a criticism, merely an observation.
Islam is not a religion. It is a dictatorial, totalitarian form of mental and physical slavery where its followers (victims?) are forced to worship at the feet of a violent, murderous power-hungry pedophile named Mohammad. Calling Islam a religion is an insult to all true religions. When I think of Islam I see a dark insidious cancer, filled with unjustified hate, barbaric teachings and traditions. I see the severed heads of Daniel Pearl, Nick Berg, Paul Johnson and others. I see a 14 year old Pakistani girl with a bullet hole in her head for daring to seek an education. I don’t see Islam as a religion of peace hijacked by a few misguided individuals, I see the world’s largest and most intolerant cult bent on global domination. I see the faces of once pretty young girls hideously disfigured by acid. I see “honor” killings. I see the body of Theo van Gogh. I see a fatwa calling on all good Muslims to kill Salman Rushdie. I see the naked bodies of SFC Shughart and MSG Gordon dragged through the streets of Mogadishu.
When I think of Islam I see evil.
Intelligent Design| 10.18.12 @ 6:38PM
The essence of Islam is to compel its followers and all "Infidels" to accept state religion. This means the death of freedom. Islam is completely hostile and subversive to the Constitution of the United States.
The politicians, media, academics and various other fools say that Islam is "one of the great religions of the world". This is wrong. True religions oppose evil, but Islam embodies evil. Islam is a 7th century totalitarian political ideology which has some of the same collectivist and sinister attributes as Communism or Nazism. The entire Muslim world wants to kill Jews and wipe Israel off the map. The Muslim Brotherhood wants to destroy Western civilization (this means you) from within, using mosques, campus groups, fake charities, and even sharia courts.
But the problem is not "just" the Muslim Brotherhood or the various Muslim terrorist organizations. The problem is Islam itself. Intelligent Muslims should abandon the 7th century and join the 21st by committing apostasy. They will have to be brave, since the Islamic penalty for abandoning Islam is death. The "great religion of peace" speaks for itself.
And what is Obama's response to Muslim terrorism? His response is to attack the First Amendment, attack those who exercise their right to free speech, apologize to the terrorists, and blame America.
There have been almost 20,000 Muslim terrorist attacks worldwide since 9/11/01. See www.thereligionofpeace.com for details.
Occam's Tool| 10.19.12 @ 12:21AM
Bibi's Pal will become POTUS in January 2013, which means that the Free World will have two MEN in charge of the Free World's two best military forces, and things will happen for the good, giving Jack in Wi. a MI.
Alex Feltham | 10.19.12 @ 8:30AM
It's the multicultural religion that leaves us so exposed to such impertinence.
Read "The Innocence of Infidels" at:
http://john-moloney.blogspot.com/
eloris| 10.19.12 @ 9:57PM
What nominally Christian governments? The US government is officially neutral and in practice run by people who are, in practice, atheists. Does it ever subizdize the defamation of atheism? Didn't think so.