May: In Europe, free speech ends where Islam begins
Submitted by SHNS on Wed, 01/11/2012 - 14:00 It's funny in an Orwellian way that in Europe there are now militant groups with such cutesy names as Sharia4Belgium and Sharia4Holland. Less funny, but perhaps more Orwellian: Last month, the European Foundation for Democracy (EFD) held an event in Amsterdam featuring two speakers who favor liberalizing Islam. More than 20 members of the pro-Sharia groups pushed their way in shouting "Allahu Akhbar!" They demanded the event be stopped, called the speakers apostates, spat on them, threw eggs at them and threatened to kill them.Now here's the least funny and most Orwellian part: Few Europeans -- few journalists, politicians, members of the self-proclaimed Human Rights community, Muslim organizations claiming to be moderate -- have expressed outrage over this boot-stomping suppression of free speech in a city, country and continent that claim to value freedom and tolerance.
Roberta Bonazzi, EFD's executive director, vowed not to be silenced. "We are united and will continue to support inspirational Muslim reformers across Europe," she said. Her speakers also kept a stiff upper lip. Canadian author Irshad Manji said that she and Dutch Parliamentarian Tofik Dibi had "refused to leave, even when police asked. We wouldn't play on jihadi terms." Dibi, of the Green-Left party, said "the disruption shows that even in the Netherlands it is necessary to continue the debate on reforming Islam."
Necessary, yes; safe, no. In Europe, increasingly, free speech ends where Islam, Islamism and even Islamic terrorism begin. Two months ago, the Paris offices of the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo were firebombed and its staff targeted with death threats after publication of an issue "edited" by the Prophet Mohammad. Read the rest on:
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