News Opinion

To Boycott, Or Not To Boycott? That's The Question

Omnia Wasfy, Egypt, Sunday 4 May 2008

First the Danish cartoons, then Geert Wilders movie about the Quran, and now others speculating that there is more to come. How should we as Muslims react to what we deem as vilifying media, which can in ways be construed as being of extremist material?

When the first furor arose, most Muslims suggested boycotting Danish products, and now some are questioning whether Muslims should boycott Dutch products as well. There is no doubt that an economic boycott is an effective tool, but is it the right one?

There is no doubt in my mind, that if we do boycott, then we are no different to those who label Muslims as terrorists merely because of the actions of the few. Our boycott and anger is directed at entire nations, when there are no more than two dozen involved in the various insults that have been leveled in our direction. We need to be responsible here, and understand that we cannot paint an entire nation blindly, the same way as many in the Islamic world feel has been done to us.

We should also consider a quote from the Quran, so to lay this debate into context:

The Quran says in 2:285:
The Messenger (Muhammad) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allâh, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. They say, "We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers" - and they say, "We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all)."

Now let us place this into context - when was the last time Muslims became so enraged when Jesus, Moses, Noah, etc were insulted? Did we make marches and demonstrations at Monty Python's 'Life of Brian'? Did we make a stand when the 'Da Vinci' code was published? It was outright clear in that passage of the Quran NOT to make a difference, and yet we have. And on the 'Da Vinci' code why did we as Muslims not even make a comment about these books/ films which insulted Jesus - it was because it supported our view of Jesus being a non-divine being. There is outright hypocrisy here.

To boycott will not not achieve anything. Muslims especially must understand that Islam is a religion that respects freedom of choice, and accordingly freedom of speech. The European powers have far more of the credence than our own nations do. Yes, they have allowed for cartoons/ movies to be published which we have found to tbe insulting - but we should rather be counter demanding that we be allowed to publsih articles and movies that show our faith in its true light. If they play the anti-islam movie in one theater, then we should demand that we be allowed to show a film about the true nature of our faith in the same theater!

And this is the ignorance we are failing in. This is freedom of speech, and it is this which is the best method by which we should adhere by to stop this vicious cycle. The only way to fight back an idea or a thought, is by an opposing another idea and thought, and by purely non-violent means - this is what Islam is all about. This, in my opinion, is the more effective tool.