“Of course we defend freedom of speech” — no, he doesn’t. He is an enemy of the freedom of speech, and wishes to establish Muhammad and Islam as off-limits to criticism, which would have the side effect of restricting all investigation of the motives and goals of the jihad terrorists. Note also that Imtiaz Ahmed is an Ahmadi Muslim. The Ahmadiyya are peaceful, but their spokesmen in the West such as Qasim Rashid and Harris Zafar tend to carry water for those who persecute their brethren in Pakistan and Indonesia. And here Ahmed fronts for the effort to silence all criticism of Islam and impose Sharia blasphemy laws upon the West.
“Satirical religious cartoons should be illegal, says Ottawa imam,” by Meghan Hurley, Ottawa Citizen, January 8, 2015 (thanks to Kathy Shaidle):
An Ottawa imam has denounced the terrorist attack on a Paris weekly newspaper that killed 12 people, but he says satirical cartoons of religious leaders should be illegal.
Imtiaz Ahmed, an imam with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, said it should be against the law to publish cartoons that depict religious figures in a derogatory way.
“Of course we defend freedom of speech, but it has to be balanced. There has to be a limit. There has to be a code of conduct,” Ahmed said.
“We believe that any kind of vulgar expression about any sacred person of any religion does not constitute the freedom of speech in any way at all.”
Ahmed said there should be limits placed on freedom of speech to prevent the publication of offensive material. He says that seems to be the case for events such as the Holocaust. Members of the public denounce those who say the Holocaust never happened.
“We don’t want the Jewish community to be hurt by these sentiments,” Ahmed says.
Ahmed said the work of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, which has been threatened for its caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad, is offensive and based on lies that have “hijacked the religion of Islam.”
Instead of looking at the few “disturbed individuals” who have committed terrorist attacks, the focus should remain on Muslims who are peaceful, Ahmed said.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has opposed such illustrations in the past in a peaceful manner. Ahmed said members of the community have gone to universities to educate students about Prophet Muhammad. He has also become involved in a campaign called Stop the Crisis to tackle the radicalization of Muslim youth.
“They are very offensive, but one thing I must say: there’s not a single verse of the Prophet that allows a Muslim to take the law in his own hand and commit horrific crimes against humanity,” Ahmed said. “We denounce that.”
“There’s not a single verse of the Prophet that allows a Muslim to take the law in his own hand and commit horrific crimes against humanity.” Except for passages like these:
“Whoever curses a Prophet, kill him. Whoever curses my Companions, beat him.” — Muhammad
Muhammad asked: “Who is willing to kill Ka’b bin Al-Ashraf who has hurt Allah and His Apostle?” One of the Muslims, Muhammad bin Maslama, answered, “O Allah’s Apostle! Would you like that I kill him?” When Muhammad said that he would, Muhammad bin Maslama said, “Then allow me to say a (false) thing (i.e. to deceive Kab).” Muhammad responded: “You may say it.” Muhammad bin Maslama duly lied to Ka’b, luring him into his trap, and murdered him. (Bukhari 5.59.369)
“A Jewess used to abuse the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) and disparage him. A man strangled her till she died. The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) declared that no recompense was payable for her blood.” (Sunan Abu-Dawud 38.4349)
Jackbo Godfrey says
The amount of “Doublespeak” coming from the Islamists is mind boggling. Taqqiya was invented over a thousand years before modern totalitarianism.
So what does that make Radical Islam? The world’s oldest totalitarian double-speaking ideology.
Mr. Spencer you are an inspiration even if a lone voice in a wilderness growing more insane by the minute.
Michael V. Wilson says
It has long been obvious to me that Islam is a totalitarian ideology masquerading as a false religion.
RonaldB says
Check out the Ahmadiyya website: http://www.alislam.org/
They are thorough Muslims: they revere Muhammad and advocate sharia law. They slip and slide and pretend that Islamic sources forbid violence. The Ahmadiyya is the backup strain of the Islamic virus currently infesting Western countries. The problem may be that violent jihadis will jump the gun, and commit highly publicized murders before the country is sufficiently softened up. This is the case with the Charlie Hebdo killers, who just may have triggered a general revulsion towards Islam in general in France and hopefully other civilized countries.
In that case, the Ahmadiyyas will petition to be left out of any general reaction, such as stringent deportations and immigration restrictions, on the grounds that the Ahmadiyyas are peaceful. But, they bear the full malevolence of the Koran and Hadith. The role that the Ahmadiyyas play in the advance of Islam is they allow a form under which Islam can lay low if the pressure builds up.
Know Thy Enemy says
I fully agree with your comment! The Ahmadiyyas pose as serious a threat to free societies as any other Muslims. Therefore, anyone who calls Quran a book from God, calls Muhammad a messenger of God, or otherwise calls him/herself a “Muslim” should be seen as a danger to free societies, and treated accordingly!
PatnCats says
You got that right! I read the koran and it was nothing but kill us all who aren’t muslims. Kill anyone who mocked the rapist Mohammed. Kill anyone who disagreed with the murderer Mohammed. So in conclusion, Mohammed was a psychopathic murdering bastard and his followers are psychopathic murdering bastards. We need to keep them contained in the desert where they can exercise their psychopathic murdering amongst themselves.They havn’t earned the right to live amongst the civilized. No more MUSLIM IMMIGRATION AMONG THE GREAT FREE NATIONS! They call for all the rules to subjugate free people – women and girls suffer greatly under islam – and will KILL YOU to get their PROFIT. The women they have- like this murderess in France- are just stupid females who are duped and want to luuuvvvv their boyfriend terrorists. Pathetic. Glad we have Second Amendment here in the USA.
Michael Copeland says
The Ahmadis revere Mohammed: after all, his is the “beautiful pattern [of conduct] to follow” (Koran 33:21)
What did Mohammed do? Al Tabari’s history provides an account. A deputation of the Quraysh, Mohammed’s tribe, went to his uncle, who was shielding him, and said:
“Abu Talib, your nephew has reviled our gods, denounced our religion, derided our traditional values and told us that our forefathers were misguided.”
(Al Tabari) http://www.answering-islam.org/Shamoun/antagonizing.htm
Follow the “beautiful pattern”.
Danigher says
Should these cartoons be allowed?…in a public newspaper no, in a private magazine yes. Its called Freedom of speech; the same freedom of speech this guy is exercising.
Know Thy Enemy says
But he is expressing it in public! So why the double standard, Danigher?
somehistory says
Just what do you mean by *public newspaper*? One read by the public, or published by the “public”…I’m pretty sure it’s possible to have the first, but how would the public go about publishing a paper?
Please clarify your statement about *public newspaper” not being allowed to publish the cartoons.
Shazalakazoo says
It is islam that should be outlawed
Know Thy Enemy says
Islam is theory! Theories cannot be outlawed by a society that respects Freedom of Expression. So for example if one wants to study Nazism or Marxism, one can certainly do so!
Practicing the theories otoh is an altogether different matter! So if someone wants to *practice* Nazism, s/he is not free to do so!
Therefore Islam cannot be outlawed, however Sharia can be! The definition of Sharia is “how to practice this theory called Islam”. This means that mosques, Islamic organizations, Halal certifications, and public prayers etc can be outlawed!
Lu says
Very good and valid point. What simply must be outlawed is sharia-fascism, i.e. a fascist, supremacist and hate-mongering movement threatening our liberties. Islam is a historical phenomenon etc. and – as such – is just one of the schools of thought …
Spot On says
Hitler didn’t allow criticism of the Nazis but the rest of the world thought differently. BTW, weren’t the Muslims in support of Hitler.
PatnCat says
Yes, the Imman – some idiot who’s name I can’t remember – travelled to Germany to meet Hitler. He’s pictured on on of the websites Pamela Geller’s – sitting with Hitler and soaking up the Jew Hatred. He was also shown in photos walking thru one of the concentration camps – or rather DEATH Camps in Poland. The koran is just full of Jew Hatred, Christian hatred, non-believer hatred – apostate hatred, gay folks hatred, hypocrite hatred, mocker hatred, well, actually Mohammed hated everything and everybody that didn’t bow and kiss his ass. Mohammed hated dogs, art, music, singing, alcohol and pork – kind of sucks the total meaning our of life doesn’t it?
mortimer says
Muslims believe they have a right never to hear criticism of Islam. No other group in the modern world has this right, but Muslims demand it…or else someone will get killed. That’s supremacism and terrorism.
When someone like Imtiaz Ahmed takes over INFORMATION CONTROL, you have SUPREMACISM IN INFORMATION.
When there is SUPREMACISM, there is no longer free expression.
Salah says
“We believe that any kind of vulgar expression about any sacred person of any religion does not constitute the freedom of speech in any way at all.”
Even if we do, you don’t qualify; Islam is not a religion and Muhammad is not a sacred person.
Besides, no one on earth has more power to mock Muhammad more than your own “holy” books. And so they do!
http://crossmuslims.blogspot.com/2010/05/drawing-muhammad-dessiner-mahomet.html
Adam says
Thankfully, there is a silver lining in regard to this article. Check out the reaction to this Imam’s statements in the comments section.
Angemon says
This is not even the usual islamic dual-speak, this is lying to our faces. If he’s not Canadian then deport him to whatever hellhole he crawled out from. If he’s Canadian have ALL media show his face with the caption “Enemy of Free Speech, enforcer of sharia”.
mariam rove says
He should be illegal. F..idiot. m
Truth says
Sorry Ahmed, you can’t remove anything from freedom of speech in the USA. Shut your yap.
Charli Main says
“Ahmed said there should be limits placed on freedom of speech to prevent the publication of offensive material”
They already have in Britain. Its called” incitement to racial and religious hatred.”
The Muslims have been pulling the strings of their puppets in Parliament for decades.
Cameron, Clegg ,Miliband and Blair probably don’t f*rt without permission from “baroness” Warsi, ” lord” Ahmed and the Muslim Council of Britain
john spielman says
if this imam wants to protect people ‘s religious feelings from being insulted,ok, BUT THE WE MUST BAN ISLAM. It continuously blasphemes my God, AND INSULTS ME BY ITS VERY EXISTANCE
john spielman says
oops that should read “but FIRST we must ban islam….”
somehistory says
islam is an insult to everything decent and good. It is an insult to reason, to love, to truth, to justice, and as you say, a blasphemy of the True God from Whom it claims to come and Whom it claims to worship. All offensive to me.
Thankfully, we know God will eliminate the foul worship of satan whether or not nations ban it.
BodyBuildingGymWhore says
Life is often full of unbelievable ironies, stupidities and cruelties; for ordinary normal people this is a foundation for what is called “comedy”.
Laughing at the stupidity and imperfection of human beings, their crazy systems and often ridiculous beliefs (religion), and human life is what ordinary normal people is called “humility”.
Humility and comedy, are a celebration of the grace and superiority of God Almighty, the omniscient being that we can’t even begin to comprehend.
Sarcasm, satire and mockery provide an outlet for a much-needed sense of PERSPECTIVE on our lives.
God knows Muslims could do with a self-deprecating laugh every once in awhile. Instead they take offense to everything, and where possible kill the offender.
If it’s not a cartoon, it’s something else that’s SOOO offensive that the punishment is death.
BTW – If everything is sacred to you, somewhere your God is off having a giggle at your idiocy.
BodyBuildingGymWhore says
If anyone is tired of watching the news here is an illuminating video featuring Robert Spencer at Temple University. FANTASTIC!
Georg says
Oh Robert, pay no attention to the infallible text written miraculously by the previously illiterate cave dreamer written in a sacred language. It’s gotta be the translation 😛
AnneM says
The reality is that, with the sucess of the internet, such efforts to curb “free speech” will simply be defeated by the “world wide web.” Tech will be ahead by 100 miles before any form of oppressive laws put their socks on.
rubiconrest says
Moderate islam in Canada on full display. For this Imam to believe that Mohammad is above criticism is unbelievable. If you know your history Mohammad was far from a perfect man. The ‘prophet’s’ contradictory pronouncements and hatred for non-muslims etc… should be open season.
Neil Jennison says
Amazing isn’t it? A man who had slaves with whom he copulated, who murdered, who had sex with a nine year old girl….. I could go on….. and this bloke thinks his image should be protected from ridicule?
Religion of peace my arse!
Jan says
I don’t think it should be illegal, but there are ethical considerations. In general mocking anyone’s faith is wrong because it unnecessarily hurts people’s feelings. There are many other things that a satirical magazine can mock such as politicians. They should leave religion alone. Of course, Islam can not be singled out because it would look like giving in to the terrorists. It is all faiths that should be respected.
PatnCats says
Now wait a minute Hon – we Christians and Jews in particular are FODDER for these islam-ites. Have you seen the cartoons of Jews in these mid-east countries? It’s right out of Nazi Germany’s JULIUS STREICHER’s “Der Stuermer!” The most bizarre and offensive drawings imaginable – all replayed in the mid-east to incite hatred of jewish people – what about their hurt feeling? Eh?. So turn about is fair play. If the MUZZIES want to scream allah akbar and murder us – and kill people – and throw unimaginable insults at Jews using those terrible drawings from the Hitler era, then I fell totally obligated to make drawings of Mohammed and submit them to “DRAW MOHAMMED DAY.” This is in recognition of free speech and the people who have been killed in exercise of such free speech. To say “STOP” is not this imman’s call. It’s no one’s call. And “hurt people’s feelings!” Good Lord – people are beheaded all over the mid-east in the name of islam and what about THEIR FEELINGS? This is no white bread world here and this imman is just an advance party before the real bastards show up to start killing us for walking a dog in front of a mosque, or being and unveiled woman and getting yourself beaten senseless by the RELIGIOUS POLICE that exists in these barbaric countries. It doesn’t END with this demand, and then there is the NEXT DEMAND, and the following DEMAND or WE KILL YOU! It doesn’t end….1,400 years of this barbarism. 24,000 attacks on people since September 11th 2001…and counting. For statistics go to http://www.politicalislam.com and see Dr. Warner’s statistics on islam are horrifying.
Charli Main says
very salient point.
When I was working in the Middle East it was a daily occurrence to see vile anti Semitic drawings in the local Arab paper.
The one showing a rabidly insane and gloating Jew holding up the severed head of a ” Pasletinian” baby with blood dripping on an Israeli flag was very popular with the locals I worked with.
tgusa says
ROP, the religion of projection. Muslims have always projected on to others what they do themselves. Muslims worship the dark lord satan. Why would you think Islamism has been concealed from others throughout the centuries for 1300 years now?
Don says
As a society we need to clarify what is hate speech and what is free speech. At times there may be a fine line dividing them but we need do what we can to define them so that free speech can continue to be protected.
somehistory says
For *hate speech* to be defined, there would have to be a consensus among the people, and not just a small group of people who might have some *authority* to decide. Those devoted to islam would not want anything said about them that showed even the truth about islam said in a non-hateful way. Those who have a disdain, even *hate* for all religions would not want to be limited in what they could say and yet, those who have a religious faith would *hate* to hear they are *delusional* or are believing in a myth that is not only useless but hurtful.
Already people don’t want to hear things with which they don’t agree and some will shout others down rather than allow speech they *hate.* If these ones had a say in what is *hate* speech and what is *free*…some non-hateful but hated speech would be curtailed.
Recall the young man who quoted the muslim university student and was called to account by other students for quoting her? Or when Mr. Spencer was threatened with suit because he quoted a muslim woman? What would these women decide about what is *hate* speech and what is *free*?
Among humans, there can be no fair ruling, no consensus, on what is *hate* and what is opinion or truth with which someone disagrees.
Dracula says
Unfortunately his caveat that essentially says some speech is too mean to be allowed free expression is neither peculiar idea to Islam or the recent Muslim immigrants to Europe. We take the breadth of our free speech heritage for granted in America and I suppose countries with similar wide spanning protections (I don’t know if there are any that compare to the First Amendment). This cleric, a teacher of the beaten wife sect of Islam, is only using the hypocrisy of many Western countries against them wherein certain speech, even if not libelous or calling to discord, is held as unacceptable and punishable by the state.
One will find this pattern common among subversive ideologies. They speak in terms familiar to the status-quo they wish to upend and attempt to use its own ideals against it.
Michael Copeland says
“Any kind of vulgar expression” should be disallowed?
What of Mohammed asking his companion “Why didn’t you marry a young girl, so that you may play with her and she with you?”
SAHIH BUKHARI, BOOK 62: Wedlock, Marriage (Nikaah)
http://www.sultan.org/books/bukhari/062.htm
“here is an example of Muhammad’s beautiful language and speech. …messenger say, ‘If anyone proudly asserts his descent in the manner of the pre-Islamic people, TELL HIM TO BITE HIS FATHER’S PENIS, AND DO NOT USE A EUPHEMISM.” https://www.facebook.com/SamShamoun/posts/367994629884160
http://www.answering-islam.org/Responses/Osama/zawadi_puberty3.htm
Norman bishop says
if there is a god how can he let this go on?
If there is a god and he is letting this go on I want nothing to do with him.
If there is no god then these people are idiots and it is up to us to cleanse our countries of these people, believe what we believe, live like we live or get to hell out.
Ross says
Sounds like Liberals. They are very tolerant of their opposition, as long as their opposition agrees with them.
Old African lady with no teeth says
It is about a time to outlaw his violence ideology from the west. For him and other fanatics it is okay to marry 4 wives but it is not okay to draw a cartoon, it is okay to kill innocent people but it is not okay to have freedom of speech, this people make me sick. They hate and attack everything the West achieved after the second war like women and minority rights, human rights, freedom of speech, gay marriage, the only thing they like is Jihad and Sharia law, shame!.
boakai ngombu says
Old Ma, you still bite hard. and you are right. but many chew on this ideology convinced it is health giving despite the contradictions. as result, they all have runbelly and despoil the land.
Dr Nath says
Does the Imam know that the founding fathers of Canada were not Moslem who are late arrivals to assert authority what should be obtained in Canada? Adherents of this notorious religion should not have allowed entry to Canada to pollute the mind of people with lies and lies as contained in the Koran Lies including that if any die as an Islamic jihadist or even ordinary member of the religion his souls will make heaven.. This is great deception that propel ignorant Islamic members to fight and kill so hard that if killed in the process the entry to Heaven is assured. Which HEAVEN? This Imam would not knowledgeable and correct religiously aware Canadians to refute such idiotic dogmatism. Kindly be informed Oh righteous Imam that it is a favor to correct your wrong indoctrination’s because if Ismal fail to accept reformation and upon death the only available space for the departing should like those of the killers yesterday in France who were shot dead today is Hades where Lucifer is in charge for to make heave one has to know the man we just celebrated his coming as a gift to humanity and who ascended to wait for only departing souls of those who identify with and believe in Him. That was why He came before sixteen hundred years later a false ideology was born to pollute the Gospel and plagiarize the Bible. Imam, be informed that man with blood and flesh does not have to fight for a God who ought to be omniscient and can defend and avenge for himself. Satirical comments are intended for correction and reformation. Christianity has frequently been ridiculed and even their leaders abused. Christian God has been called a lot of painful names now and in Apostles and Jesus days. Even the divinity of Christ and his son-ship to God rudely questioned by Islam. No body carried arms to fight to defend the God of Christian. Evidence of falsehood inherent in religion is made manifest when criticism is made and a fight is provoked because evil tendencies questioned. If one denies the divinity of Christ, how about the reality of empty tomb guided by heavily armed Roman soldiers? How about the appearances of rhe risen Christ to many after resurrection to many that witnessed it? How about his bodily ascension while speaking with his disciples who were so convinces that they rather die that to deny the reality of him as a gift to humanity. That is the stance Islam ought to take instead of fighting and killing the innocent to oppose any criticism of the inadequacies in their practise and system. The Imam needs to be reformed and better educated about the true God and the plans for the redemption .
Blitz2b says
Ahmediyyas are bloody hypocrites. They are persecuted all over the Islamic world, they plead for refugee status in the west and when they are here they defend the same evil ideology that persecutes them in the Islamic states that they escaped from.
They motto ” love for all hatred for none” maybe noble but it is a Taquiyya tactic, that is truly un Islamic and has absolutely no justification in the Koran.
Imagine Mohammed saying “love for all hatred for none” ….. sounds like a bastardized version of “love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, except Christ who spoke those words actually lived them out himself. Mohammed on the other hand beheaded between 800-900 men and boys of the tribe of Bani Qurizya.
Islam mean death, and this act is playing out all over Europe.
I read one of JW posters rightly say… ” Europe despised and rejected God ….. so God gave them Islam….”
Now let’s see how they deal with it!
Old African Lady with no teeth says
I don’t think all Europeans despised and rejected God but there are some and they are often the leftist, this people failed to understand Judeo-Christian values are the foundation of Western Civilization, they don’t understand hating Christianity and being snobbish about the culture will only bring destruction to civilization and when there is no civilization it will affect them, there wouldn’t be lefty political agenda either. I am hoping they stop being selfish before it is too late and I hope they unite with the traditional defenders of civilization, maybe sooner is better.
Mike says
If you don’t like Western values then please leave. You don’t belong in our society. Freedom of speech in all it’s forms runs to the very core of who we are. If you have different beliefs, that’s fine, we respect that, but don’t start preaching to us how to run a democracy. Go somewhere else where your views are a ‘better fit’. Emocracy is about recognising other people may have a different view point which should be respected and tolerated no matter how much you disagree. Not reaching for a Kalishnikov every time there’s a difference of opinion!
tanya says
Well said
Mark says
Western leaders need to start saying this loudly and often. Nobody should find the expression of Western values offensive. If they do, then they don’t belong here. Multiculturalism can only function on the basis of mutual respect, not on the threat of retaliation every time a cartoonist dares to parody religious or political figureheads. Some Muslim “leaders” forget how badly religious minorities in their home countries are treated. To come to the West and then dictate how we should bend over backwards to accomodate them under the guise of multiculturalism whilst refusing to integrate into society and branding any criticism of their beliefs as “Islamophobia” is simply farcical. Jihadism is facism disguised as religion.
Patty says
That is absolutely right. Hey, there are things about our culture that I don’t like. There are degradations in our society that are sad to see. BUT, I never realized how precious freedom of speech is…it is who we are and we may have to endure some peer pressure for some things we say, but at least it’s not under the gun. We can’t fathom the kind of thinking that seeks to have everyone in terror. George Orwell was truly a Prophet. Get in line with the ‘NEW SPEAK.” (1984) We feel it enough just with our own ‘phobia’ accusers in this country. Islam is a constitution wrapped in a religion and they are taking advantage of our liberties to spread their agenda and who is allowing and promoting this? We all know……..It’s Barry and Hillary.
Frank Castle says
FYI
people have been mispronounced the profit’s name:
‘no-HAM-head’
is the correct way
Daniel Risler says
I would refer you to Section 296 of Canada’s Crriminal Code, so-called “Blashemous Libel” law, with 2 years prison penalty. Although not enforced, this law is on the books and could be used by people who want to limit freedom of expression in Canada. Now would be the perfect time to repeal this repugnant law in a show of solidarity with France over the “Charlie Hebdo” terrorist act.
Canada is Charlie!
Medina says
Wasn’t this the code that was applied to Mark Steyn for his comments antithetical to Islam? He is on record saying he will not return to Canada as he faced prison if convicted.
Patt says
Yes, that’s exactly what I thought when this story broke, Now is a good time for people to wake up and LOOK!!!!! Those laws are ridiculous. They tear at the very fabric of what identifies us. They do have resolutions in the works by Osama, I mean, Obama that will make it a crime to insult the prophet of Islam. Wow, who is this guy?
Charles Singh says
Ahmadis are indeed the most deceptive and ungrateful. They are the greatest hypocrites and pretenders. They are further proof there is no such thing as a moderate muslim, just fake moderate muslims (Ahmadis are considered heretics by mainstream Islam). AS one of the French terrorists said, you reap what you sow. Canada needs to wake up. Continue allowing Muslim migration, continue denying the problem and continue going soft on terrorists, your streets too will turn into Syria and Lebanon very soom.
JASON says
LOL, this guy has a mental disability. If he cannot watch 14A t.v which includes adultery and everything else he wants to see, then he can just move to iran, so he can be happy.
PatnCats says
Finally a powder-keg that pissed off the French enough to launch a massive attack to take out these bastards. And then this IDIOT here who wants to SHUSH everyone up on God’s Green Earth to not “OFFEND MUSLIMS” Bull shit on muslims and their pedophile prophet. Mohammed was a murderous psychopathic bastard – and now we have murderous psychopathic followers in our countries imported – no thank you to UN OIC and namby pamby governments who invited them in amongst us instead of their fighting themselves in their desert.
diana says
FREEDOM OF SPECH is what it means. If you don’t like something you have a right to complain. No RELIGION or Religious leader is exempt from that in the Western World. I may not like it, you may not like it……………..and atheists don’t like religious leaders………………………In the Western world we poke fun of anybody we want………….
Bruce Hachey says
Funny. muslims do not like anyone making light of Mohammed or their religion but don’t mind running down Christianity and making fun of Jews. when they picture Christ hanging in a pit of urine and put the name p… pot Jesus up you never hear of anyone decrying that . guess it’s a one way street.
Lenin-McCarthy says
Better yet, outlaw islam in my country called Canada
Danigher says
All religion should be banned; its 2015 FFS. Its like the world full of child minded adults holding onto the dream of life after death…
Gregory says
Danigher: Wow, you beat me to the punch, but thank you. Religion is the excuse people give for not having to think for themselves and blaming their irrational acts as commands from some invisible magic man in the sky. These ( the overtly religious, and those that tolerate them) are indeed children who are afraid of the dark. If someone is seen talking to a long dead relative, or historical figure, we treat them for their mental illness, but if they say it’s god talking to them we accept it at face value. This cognitive dissonance is itself a form of mental illness. Somewhere in the future, religion will treated for the mental illness it is. As Richard Dawkins put it “Religion, together we can find a cure”.
Patty says
Hey, I don’t share your view, but I have no mind whatsoever for any harm of any kind to come to you and it’s this freedom of expression that makes us who we are as a nation and freedom of speech is the best. We are the best people. Are we not?
Jay Boo says
Gregory makes a good impression at showing his seeming objectivity and intellect.
However, the problem we often see with many who say such things is that they often get giddy with delight at the mockery of Christianity and Judaism then get weak in the knee at the mere mention of Islam. They are happy to complain that (all religion) is SILLY and thereby imply that Islam is somehow no different than all other religions rather than have the courage to stand up to the political correctness toward Islam and dare say just how despicably unique is sociopathic murderer Muhammad and the non-stop filth throughout his vile Qur’an.
duh_swami says
All religions create religious supremacist bigots…It can’t be helped. If the other guys religion is superior to yours, you should be over there with him…All religions are corrupt because they are about God but are not God, that makes them subject to corruption right off the bat. But some religions are more corrupt than others. Islam takes top spot, and the religious supremacists springing from that are not only bigoted, they are dangerous.
Know Thy Enemy says
Carolyne says, “ I believe your comments will offend a lot of people who do believe in a God. I doubt any Christians or Jews will try to kill you for it. Only Muslims do that.”
Gregory knows that! That is why he is playing it safe and lumping all religions together. Coward!
Isabella says
Honestly, making the statement he made, he will never get it. I would describe him as defiant. He must really think that Canadians are gullible and naive.
abad says
If Muslims hate western nations so much then WHY do they continue to move here??? They need to stay at home in Saudi Arabia.
pumbar says
Look up the word “hijrah”
Western Canadian says
I have yet to meet a muslim (RTC) from his sect, that I would ever consider trusting, on any issue, large or small, ESPECIALLY islam (RTC). Without exception, totally ignorant, or totally dishonest about their vile and vicious (so called) prophet….
Champ says
“Of course we defend freedom of speech”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What he REALLY means …
Of course we defend *a muslims right to* freedom of speech.
Say No 2 Mo says
Strange how if Mohammed overlooked those whom mocked him and so on, why are truly devout Muslims are NOT following his perfect example to be tolerant and overlook any offence or criticism.
So which is it HYPOCRITE or LIAR ?
Louise from Canada says
takiya takiya takiya takiya-The coran is full of hate just like the satanic pedophile mohammed.
duh_swami says
Where did religious leaders get the idea they are better than others and deserve ‘special’ treatment? I think it comes from here…’If you act like you have power, people will soon give it to you’…If you act holier than thou, many people will bow to you. But this is all a scam. The ‘Priest/imam’ is not better than you are, he may not even be as good as you are, so why do we exalt them and give them money, and protect the false images they project? Cartoons are for them too, it is their right. It just would not be right to deprive them of it…
DiMu says
Who gives a rat’s tail what he thinks? Why even bother to report it?
BC says
If Muslims want to live in countries where thereisi no freedom of speech, there are plenty to choose from . try Saudi Arabia for a start. Why do they want to live in infidel countries anyway?
Patty says
OH, who remembers (SNL) Father Guido Sarduchi and his piece showing the Pope using a lot of hand gestures while Father Guido was narrating the Vicar saying how he wanted to buy the whole world a pizza and everyone gets a piece. Now I am sure that every Catholic in the free world went pee pee in their pants. Creative thinking is critical thinking and humor is a good tool for it. They don’t even allow music is Islam. It affects a part of the brain that is part of creative/critical thinking, and they did the same thing in communism. I saw it with my own eyes. In East Berlin in ’89, I could see everything was off, but something in particular I just couldn’t put my finger on: there was no color!!!! No street musicians, no artists, no creativity. Sorry for being so long on my comments. I just can’t stop.
Toolman says
I realize that people in the western world adhear to a principle of freedom of expression. As a parent with young children raising them to respect other cultures and as an adult who works in a work force that dictates tolerance and respect for people of different cultures, sexual orientation and religion, why is it ok to “poke fun” at other religions in the name of satire, have we not crossed the line when “cartoonists” draw pictures of other religions. I say it is dissrespectful. I believe that all religiins just want to live in a respectful society. The LGBT community only wishes the same respect from society. It seems that societies standards are different in certain circumstances. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe that people should take up arms to defend a certain view even countries waging war against one another in that regard.
Western Canadian says
I am delighted to report that this vicious fraud is being blasted by name, as is islam (RTC) in numerous columns in Canadian papers!!! The lying hypocrite has done himself and his vicious cult serious harm, which is a cause for us all to celebrate!!!
Lioness says
“…satirical cartoons of religious leaders should be illegal.”
Correction: satirical cartoons of MUSLIM religious leaders should be illegal.
Does anyone actually believe that he concerns himslef with cartoons of Jesus, or Moses, or Budhha?
Johnny Canuck says
If the risible Imtiaz Ahmed would take the lamp shade off of his head, perhaps people might take him seriously. As it stands,this guy is a self-made caricature and his idea that “satirical cartoons of religious leaders should be illegal” is a hilarious self-written caption that Charlie Hebdo would love to publish, along with the picture of this light weight thinker sporting a heavy weight hat. I firmly believe there is humor in Islam.
Ronald says
Is Mr.GQ imam, this “Ottawa imam” posing as a well dressed modern man with a smarmy smile and thoughtful hand gesture or a handy pistol? I suppose that is a reason not to allow representations of humans because it could represent a possible reality, reality which is in short supply in religions. As to comment from Toolman and their concern of LGBT community only wanting mutual respect and tolerance, keep in mind that religion, muslim, catholic, rastafari, scientology or otherwise are not the same as a real human aspect such as gender affiliation. race or societal standing, but they are simply STORIES made up from the minds of humans. STORIES. No less than fodder for movies or cartoons, like a movie about Harvey Milk, or Selma, or Life of Brian, or a movie like Philadelphia. Just sayin’.
Hammed Musliu Olalekan says
you can all be saying what you likes but let me draw your attention to this message….do you know that God that created you and I,even the prophet under discussion, commands all human being to respect all the messanger he sent to us.In the lifetime of those prophet before him,Muhammed (SAW),it happaned that when they are trying to convey God’s message ,peoples like you used to turn in their deaf ear or mockering the prophet.And what was their end with their mockering? In case you don’t know ,worst indeed was their end and not only that but there’s a painful torment in the hereafter with nobody to intercede for them.QURAN said it…..find knowledge so that you don’t waste,ending up in hell fire .i am saying it authoratatively that publising the caricature of the holy prophet is ever great sin..so fears the day when you will meet the creature ,he will surely informs you what you used to do
Sally says
Ahmed should be deported back to an Islamic country where he belongs. He does not belong in civilized society as he is not yet civilized. If he doesn’t like portraits or cartoons of Muhammad it is his right to ignore it and not be a terrorist and threaten those who want to draw cartoons of Muhammad.
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Muhammad was a terrible radical Islamic terrorist who lived in the 600s and founded Islam. It is appropriate to laugh about what is not funny to let off some steam.