My strongest argument with Hannity and Geller was – I do not want America to
change for Ghannouchi, I do not want our constitution be compromised for
Ghannouchi, and I do not want American character to change for Ghannouchi.
I was completely taken back that Pamela Geller and Hannity were calling for a
ban on Sheikh Rachid al-Ghannouchi’s featured speech at Yale Law School, they
should be instead defending it.
Freedom of speech
is the most enduring, stabilizing, sustainable value of a free society. Ultimately freedom should prevail over everything
else. That is about the only thing I would die for and defend.
Ghannouchi has called for destruction of American properties and killing
Americans, I don’t like it, but I will defend his right to speak.
I have defended Pamela Geller’s right to speak in London when they banned her from
speaking, I have defended Terry Jones right to burn Qurans, and indeed
we are making a film about freedom of speech.
I have defended Fred Phelps right to be ugly with this anti-Jewish,
anti-GLBT and anti-Immigrant demonstrations.
I have opposed Arab League’s proposal at the United Nations to curb
freedom of speech about religious personalities, and without any doubt
Professor Ghannouchi should speak freely.
Freedom should be the ultimate
winner.
Indeed it is to our advantage to hear him out, understand where he is coming
from and what he is going to lay it out. We should hear him and not ban him.
We cannot be
hypocrites, and ban free speech for one and allow it for others.
My strongest argument with Hannity and Geller was – I do not want America to
change because of Ghannouchi, I do not want our constitution be compromised for
Ghannouchi, and I do not want our character to change for Ghannouchi.
Quran supports freedom of speech, there are numerous verses to that effect, but
for now, I will quote two – 41:34 – Repel evil with whatever is better; there
is chance that evil may mellow down, if you repel evil with evil, the conflict
flares up and both sides will dig in their heels. Verse 2:256 gives clear unambiguous guidance –
there shall be no compulsion for others to believe what you believe.
Freedom of speech is birth right, that is one simple thing that separated
animals from humans and I will not let it be compromised.
I
am surprised with the attacks on Twitter and floods of emails I am
receiving from the right wing Christians, Muslims and Jews. Freedom of
speech is an expectational America value, indeed, that is what separates
us from the rest of the world. I would have expected them to defend it
instead of attacking me.
Freedom of speech is a conservative value and I expected Sean Hannity to defend it, but he failed me.
Sheikh Who Advocated Killing of U.S. Soldiers
Controversial sheikh will headline lecture at Yale Law School
http://freebeacon.com/national-security/yale-to-host-radical-terror-sheikh-who-advocated-killing-of-u-s-soldiers/ ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator on
Pluralism at work place, politics, religion, society, gender, race, culture,
ethnicity, food and foreign policy. All about him is listed in several links at
www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are
at www.TheGhousediary.com and 10
other blogs. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers
pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.