> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.iqra.ca/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # A Defense of Free Speech by American and Canadian Muslims - URL: https://www.iqra.ca/2010/a-defense-of-free-speech-by-american-and-canadian-muslims/ - Published: 2010-09-23T20:32:44.000Z - Updated: 2016-01-14T23:22:33.000Z - Author: iqradotca - Tags: 531, Canadian Muslims, Freedom of Speech, interfaith, Islam Canada, Lifestyle, Matt Stone, Molly Norris, Muslim Canada, The American Muslim, Trey Parker, Uncategorized ![](/content/images/wordpress/2010/09/freedom-of-speech-273x400.jpg "freedom-of-speech")We, the undersigned, unconditionally condemn any intimidation or threats of violence directed against any individual or group exercising the rights of freedom of religion and speech; even when that speech may be perceived as hurtful or reprehensible. We are concerned and saddened by the recent wave of vitriolic anti-Muslim and anti-Islamic sentiment that is being expressed across our nation. We are even more concerned and saddened by threats that have been made against individual writers, cartoonists, and others by a minority of Muslims. We see these as a greater offense against Islam than any cartoon, Qur’an burning, or other speech could ever be deemed. We affirm the right of free speech for Molly Norris, Matt Stone, Trey Parker, and all others including ourselves. As Muslims, we must set an example of justice, patience, tolerance, respect, and forgiveness. The Qur’an enjoins Muslims to: \* bear witness to Islam through our good example (2:143); \* restrain anger and pardon people (3:133-134 and 24:22); \* remain patient in adversity (3:186); \* stand firmly for justice (4:135); \* not let the hatred of others swerve us from justice (5:8); \* respect the sanctity of life (5:32); \* turn away from those who mock Islam (6:68 and 28:55); \* hold to forgiveness, command what is right, and turn away from the ignorant (7:199); \* restrain ourselves from rash responses (16:125-128); \* pass by worthless talk with dignity (25:72); and \* repel evil with what is better (41:34). Islam calls for vigorous condemnation of both hateful speech and hateful acts, but always within the boundaries of the law. It is of the utmost importance that we react, not out of reflexive emotion, but with dignity and intelligence, in accordance with both our religious precepts and the laws of our country. We uphold the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Both protect freedom of religion and speech, because both protections are fundamental to defending minorities from the whims of the majority. We therefore call on all Muslims in the United States, Canada and abroad to refrain from violence. We should see the challenges we face today as an opportunity to sideline the voices of hate—not reward them with further attention—by engaging our communities in constructive dialogue about the true principles of Islam, and the true principles of democracy, both of which stress the importance of freedom of religion and tolerance. **SIGNATORIES:** Prof. Hassan Abbas, Quaid-i-Azam Chair, South Asia Institute, Columbia University Mehnaz M. Afridi, PhD, Adjunct Professor (Judaism, Islam & Genocide Studies) Antioch University Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad, PhD, Director, Minaret of Freedom Foundation Ahrar Ahmad, PhD, Professor of Political Science, Black Hills State University Prof. Akbar S. Ahmed, PhD, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies, American University Prof. Parvez Ahmed, PhD, Fulbright Scholar & Assoc. Prof. University of North Florida Barbara Al-Bayati, Co-Founder, Orphan Whispers Wajahat Ali, playwright, journalist, and producer of “Domestic Crusaders” Sumbul Ali-Karamali, JD, LLM (Islamic Law), author of “The Muslim Next Door” Salam al-Marayati, Pres., Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) Shahed Amanullah, Editor-in-Chief, Altmuslim Aref Assaf, PhD, President, American Arab Forum Hazami Barmada, Pres, American Muslim Interactive Network (AMIN) Victor Ghalib Begg, Senior Advisor, Chairman Emeritus, Council of Islamic Organizations of Michigan Farah Brelvi, Board of Directors, ACLU-NC M. Ali Chaudry, PhD, President, Center for Understanding Islam (CUII) Kamran Cheikh, Activist, Committee member, Muslims for Peace, Justice & Progress (MPJP), researcher for Deen Research Center (DRC) Robert D. Crane, JD, author of numerous books Almoonir Dewji, blogger – “That We May Know Each Other” Lamia El-Sadek, political and human rights activitist Mohamed Elsanousi, Director of Communications and Community Outreach for the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) Mona Eltahawy, journalist Aziz Enhaili, Political analyst, columnist for Tolerance.ca Prof. Mohammad Fadel, PhD Fatemeh Fakhraie, Editor-in-Chief, Muslimah Media Watch Mike Ghouse, President, World Muslim Congress Iftekhar Hai, President, UMA Interfaith Alliance Hesham Hassaballa, M.D., author, journalist, blogger – “God, faith, and a pen” Arsalan Iftikhar, author, human rights lawyer, blogger – “The Muslim Guy” Jeffrey Imm, Director, Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) Nakia Jackson, writer Prof. Muqtedar Khan, PhD, author of several books, Blogger – “Globalog” Faisal Kutty, Visiting Asst. Prof. of law, Valparaiso University School of Law and Adjunct Professor of Law, Osgoode Hall Law School (Toronto) M. Junaid Levesque-Alam, writer, blogger – “Crossing the Crescent” David Liepert, M.D., blogger and author of “Muslim, Christian AND Jew” Radwan A. Masmoudi, PhD, President, Center for the Study of Islam & Democracy (CSID) Melody Moezzi, JD, MPH, writer and attorney Daniel Abdal-Hayy Moore, author of many books of poetry Ebrahim Moosa, Assoc. Professor of Islamic Studies, Dept. of Religion, Duke University Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid, President Sound Vision Sheila Musaji, Editor, The American Muslim (TAM) Muneeb Nasir, President, Olive Tree Foundation, Editor IQRA Canada Aziz H. Poonawalla, PhD, scientist and blogger – “City of Brass” on Beliefnet.com M.Waheed-uz-Zaman Rana, Imam, Prof. Emeritus, Dept. of Surgery, Saint Louis University Hasan Zillur Rahim, PhD, journalist Prof. Hussein Rashid, PhD, blogger – “Religion Dispatches” Shafi Refai, President, United Muslims of America Robert Salaam, blogger – “The American Muslim” Raquel Evita Saraswati, activist, writer, blogger Sarah Sayeed, President of One Blue S. Abdallah Schleifer, Distinguished Professor, Dept. of Journalism & Mass Com, American University in Cairo Jafar Siddiqui, blogger – “Penjihad” Prof. Laury Silvers, PhD Prof. Ibrahim B. Syed, PhD, President of Islamic Research Foundation International, Inc., author, Pamela Taylor, Co-founder Muslims for Progressive Values, Panelist for On Faith Tayyibah Taylor, Editor, Azizah Magazine Dr. Hashim El-Tinay, President, International Peace Quest Institute (IPQI) Tarik Trad, writer, humorist, photographer, artist and activist Asma T. Uddin, Attorney, The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty and Editor, Altmuslimah Amina Wadud, PhD, consultant on Islam and gender, visiting scholar Starr King School for the Ministry Svend White, blogger – “Akram’s Razor”, activist, writer G. Willow Wilson, author of “Butterfly Mosque” and “Air” graphic novel series \[Source: [The American Muslim](http://www.theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/a%5Fdefense%5Fof%5Ffree%5Fspeech%5Fby%5Famerican%5Fand%5Fcanadian%5Fmuslims/0018241?ref=iqra.ca)\]