The Media Review Network condemns the publication of the French caricatures ridiculing the Messenger of God, the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH). The argument put forward following this publication has been the standard freedom of speech line.

This defence has been echoed by the French Government in defence of this blatant attack on the global Muslim community. However, the failure to address the counterbalance of freedom of speech, namely defamation is a clear indication of the double standards when issues of Islam and Islamophobia arise.

It is accepted that freedom of speech is a fundamental principle that builds the foundations of a society. In the same breath, the limitation of this right to prohibit incitement and defamation must be implemented. The double standards are further exposed as France prohibits any peaceful protests in opposition to this vile attack on the Muslim community via the implementation of draconian measures. Such actions beg the question – is freedom of speech a right reserved for some and not for others? In the context of global protest against the defamatory US movie, these caricatures fuel an already widespread rage felt by Muslims around the world. We urge calm and rational responses from our brothers and sisters around the world. However it is but a utopian idea to except saintly peaceful protests whilst the sensitivities of Muslims are relentlessly attacked. The French caricatures and the defence thereof communicates to 1,6 Billion Muslims a message of exclusion and disregard for their religious beliefs and sensitivities. Furthermore it marks the demise of mutual respect and seeks only to divide our communities.

The Media Review Network condemns the relentless campaign to defame the Messenger of God (PBUH), attack already inflamed sensitivities of Muslims and destroy the values of mutual respect in this global village. We call on the French Government to revive the values of mutual respect that they seek to so vehemently murder and abandon their implementation of blatant double standards. We make a further call on the French Government to take proactive steps to prevent Islamophbic attacks of this nature.