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In the wake of attacks on French magazine Charlie Hebdo, the slogan “I am Charlie” has gained immense popularity to express solidarity with the satirical publication and to the so-called freedom of expression. As far as I am concerned, I am not Charlie. I don’t endorse hurting religious sentiments of any group in the world in the name of freedom of speech. Satire is basically aimed at poking fun at some idea so as to compel people to revisit their positions and to help them improve. There are certain limitations to satire. The satire of Charlie Hebdo has always been in bad taste. It violates all rules of journalism. The magazine is defiantly re-publishing those blasphemous sketches knowing fully well that it will hurt the sentiments of Muslims across the world, who themselves are against the ideology of groups like Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram and the so-called Islamic State (IS). Offending the majority for the crimes of a handful of people is wrong. It is tantamount to stereotyping and will creates friction between various communities and harm social harmony. France should realize that its ideals of freedom might not work in other parts of the world. It is not just about the Muslim world. I am sure Christians, Jews and Hindus also take offense to sketches depicting holy figures or their religious symbols in a negative light. I am not Charlie, as I respect all religions. The idea of absolute freedom stems from irreligious mindset in the garb of liberalism. By republishing blasphemous content, Charlie Hebdo is inciting violence across the world.
I am not Charlie because I don’t want to promote xenophobic feelings. I want to see the world become a better place to live with people of all faiths respect each other.
French authorities should revisit their policy on freedom of expression. We would not mind anybody poking fun at or criticizing terrorist organizations. We Muslims are also fed up with these groups and their skewed ideology. — Abdullah, Jeddah