CPTnet
5 February 2006
IRAQ: CPT Iraq statement on anti-Muslim cartoons in Danish newspaper
[Note: An Arabic translation of the statement below is available at
www.cpt.org.]
We, the members of the Christian Peacemaker Teams in Iraq, are disturbed by
anti-Muslim cartoons from twelve different artists published in September by
Denmark's daily paper the Jyllands-Posten. The publisher claims the freedom
of speech to publish the cartoons, but we believe they are only spreading
hate and bigotry.
To those who believe and act as if terrorism is an essential part of the
Islamic faith, we say No! Stop! We cannot stand by and remain silent when
our gracious Muslim brothers and sisters are being defamed.
Some members of all religious and cultural groups have taken up the way of
violence, killing innocent civilians for political causes. We as Christians
would not want others in the world to see our faith as one which advocates
dominating and oppressing the poor and weak of the world. Yet, the Christian
leaders of our countries have been carrying out such domination and
oppression.
Those of us working in Iraq see the suffering and pain that acts of terror
cause. Terrorism is wrong. It is hypocritical to label Muslims as
terrorists when our own countries have been the greatest perpetrators of
terror and violence around the world.
Instead of spreading prejudice and lies about another faith, we call on
artists, publishers, religious leaders, and on all people to put their
creative efforts into exposing and trying to eradicate the deeper injustices
that foster the use of terror. We must open our hearts and minds to listen
and learn from the riches of each others' cultures and find ways to build
bridges in our fractured world.
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Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) seeks to enlist the whole church in
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