The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on the debate on freedom of expression and religious respect

Freedom of expression is an issue that is currently being debated. The conflict between France and the Muslim world has flared up again as a result of the publication, once again, of the controversial cartoons of Mohammed. 

The French newspaper Charlie Hebdo once again published the cartoons of Muhammad that made him the target of a Jihadist attack in 2015. This fact has triggered a response among the most radicals. Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeu was one of the first world leaders to speak out against this event. 

Along his speech, Trudeu defended freedom of expression, although he considered that it is not "without limits" and should not "arbitrarily and pointlessly" hurt certain communities. In this context, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community addresses the debate on freedom of expression and religious respect.

During a seminar on 26 November last, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community presented the controversy between the "extreme defence of freedom of expression" and "the respect owed to people worshipped by believers of different religions". 

Also participating as speakers were Mr José María Alonso, national deputy in the 10th Legislature, with his dissertation 'Islam and Christianity: What unites us', and Mr Manuel Torres Aguilar, director of the UNESCO Chair for Conflict Resolution at the University of Córdoba, with his dissertation 'Intercultural dialogue in the face of the clash of civilisations'.

By way of introduction, Qamar Fazal, who acted as spokesman, explained clearly and concisely who the Holy Prophet Mohammed was. In addition to his teachings, values and life. Fazal, at the end of his speech, wanted to highlight the Prophet's farewell sermon which he described as a message of peace for all mankind.

José María Alonso's participation focused on pointing out all that unites both Muslims and Christians. Alonso, has actively contributed to the cooperation and pacification between both communities. Last year the MP for the Popular Party attended the Symposium for Peace, organised by the Ahmadia Community. During this meeting he declared that it is "an honour as a member of the Congress of Deputies to receive and listen to the person who knocks on the door, even if he is a representative of a minority".

Speaking at the seminar, he said that it was necessary to forget the past, and that it was not enough just to engage in dialogue, but that an effort should be made to cooperate. He recalled that until very recently no Pope had visited Jerusalem, where both religions originated. Paul VI was the first Pope to visit the Holy Land and John Paul II was the first Pope to visit a mosque. 

For his part, Manuel Torres recalled that "the cultural clash we have been experiencing in recent years is nothing new. Throughout history there have been many occasions where these confrontations have taken place".

"The fact that one culture, one religion or one belief is imposed on another makes no sense. This shows the reality of the facts and that we only have one path: to build peace," the professor said. 

An effort must be made to build inter-religious dialogue and to build bridges between different cultures, races, beliefs.... With this declaration of intentions and message of hope, Manuel Torres' intervention ended and with it the seminar. 

The Ahmadiyya community is persecuted in countries such as Pakistan, which under Pakistani law are helpless and completely deprived of their civic rights, freedom of religion and practice. From the community itself they appeal to the international community in the hope that it will take a firm stand against this discrimination.