Imam halts film protest

c scudi

Sep 28th 2012, 09:33

A lot of you seem to be missing the point..I think it was very responsible of him not to sanction the protest.I think the repercussions would have gone bigger than most can imagine.Moslems here live peacefully amongst other religions...let,s keep it that way..no protests..no burning of flags..no other shit!

Pippo De Marco

Sep 27th 2012, 00:21

To the Imam and any of his flock who are upset at not being able to march up and down, holding-up traffic and shouting things that noone other than a Muslim would understand or even care about, I say, don't waste your time protesting ... Pray instead.

The logic is simple ... If Allah and his his Prophet ,Mohammed, (peace be upon him ... (What is all that about ?) are as magnificent as they are upset, then I am sure that they are capable of punishing the infidels that put a stupid film on YouTube themselves. And if they cannot, wil not, or can't be bothered doing so, then is no point in shouting, or even praying ?

But assuming a protest had gone ahead, then who would they be protesting to, and what would be the purpose ? - Besides, who would listen ? And, more to the point, who (other than a Muslim) would actually care ?

And purely as a matter of interest, how are we supposed to respond to such a Protest, anyway ? - Hold hands and join in ?

Charles Sammut

Sep 26th 2012, 18:11

Whilst I applaude El Sadi's decision, I also ask ....' what gives these Moslem people who are living on OUR island because Democracy decrees that they are welcome to be among us, to share our jobs, to live freely among us, to woo and love Maltese women should they both choose to do so, to move about at their own free will, to practice their religion without fear or restrictions imposed upon them by our government, when we Christians celebrate Easter, we do not force them to fast or to abstain from any of their daily activities..etc..etc..etc...'
So, let us not behave and act as if this Imam is doing us a favour by not sanctioning any protests or unrest by the followers of Islam....he and his brethren must bear in mind, that it is OUR island, our home and OUR right to expect these guests on OUR soil to remember that Malta is Maltese and Malta is Christian!!

...and the beat goes on..and the beat goes on.......

Dr Alex Bugeja

Sep 26th 2012, 18:10

The Imam is missing the point that the video in question (it's not worthy of the name "film" - the quality of the filming is worse than laughable) would have been consigned to obscurity immediately if it had not been seized upon by extremists - who seem to take offense at anything and everything - to foment rage.

Robert Callus

Sep 26th 2012, 17:36

With reference to the article in the opinion section I think the Imam is doing two grave mistakes:

1) Fighting the wrong enemy

The humanists with whom I share most beliefs including this issue, are GENUINELY for free speech and nothing else. Their motivations are definitely not hatred for Islam or Muslims.

It isn’t the humanists who vandalize mosques and throw chopped heads of pigs inside them, like what has happened in many European countries. It isn’t them who force feed Muslim children with sausages like what happened in Germany. It isn’t the humanists who wanted to ban minarets in Switzerland or ban the Koran and tax headscarves in the Netherlands. Or throw up a protest against the building of a mosque, and beat up the guy selling kebabs on the way.

If only everyone was a humanist, the REAL harassment of Muslims in Europe would stop.



2) Promoting the video

Those who are my age will probably remember being shown videos against the evil of Heavy Metal. The sublime messages of Led Zeppelin, or the Satanism of Black Sabbath or W.A.S.P.

Guess what happened? WE LOVED THEM even more. We used to jot down the band’s names and go to buy a cassette and t-shirt afterwards.

The difference between “Innocence of Muslims” and Black Sabbath or Led Zeppelin is that while the latter are musical geniuses, the former is just a boring piece of ****. It doesn’t deserve a fraction of the attention is getting but has managed to achieve exactly what it intended: Insult Muslims and cause a reaction.


In fact, Mr El Sadi and every other Muslim should take the advice of the Humanists and ignore this amateur video clip. Nothing would harm its authors more than that.

Carmel Grima

Sep 26th 2012, 16:27

Thank you Imam, we respect you because you are a man who preaches peace.May God grant you many more years among us. We as a nation are against any for of violence and yes anyone who in his own way and by his own methods willfully destabilizes a peaceful balance, that person should be made aware of his grave mistake in order to prevent any recurrence.
Ing Carmel Grima

Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi

Sep 26th 2012, 16:22

How long are muslims going to milk this old news of an obscure badly made video that was originally released months ago ?
Islam is getting to be the religion of perpetual rage, always demanding respect it has not earned.

Anthony Scicluna

Sep 26th 2012, 16:12

Dear Imam,
I hold a deep respect for you. I believe that you show wisdom not to allow demonstrations that may get out of hand. You are right to say that ridicule is the lowest form of criticism and that it is unfair to disregard the beliefs of others.

However, I take issue with some points you raise:
First, you depict atheism as wrong and devoid of morals. It is not. Atheists do not believe in an external source of morality. We are evolved creatures with an evolved moral centre that prohibits us from doing wrong. Ancient philosophers who predate the Bible (as a source of morality to the three world religions) had very strict moral standards which they derived from within. On this basis, atheists the world over would condemn provocation as much as they would condemn retaliation.

Second, if we are to curtail and punish the abuse of freedom of speech, then upon what basis do we do so? Should we arrive at the ridiculous situation where we are all afraid of words and start selecting our words so as not to offend anyone. I am a vertically challenged non-woman with a natural disposition for hair aversion - aka I am bald and short. I know that this example is ridiculous, but I take offence in being called bald. On a deeper level, I take offence by religion, its moralising and its evangelisation. By this token, if I marshal enough support, I could in theory stop your kind self and your colleagues from other religions to cease and desist. I find religious theorising as shaky and baseless. I do not stop you from your ministry because you have a right to an opinion, a right to a belief and a right to help others find meaning through Islam. My point is that fundamentalism whether it is religious or atheist is wrong. Curbing the non-violent freedom of speech is wrong.

Third, I watched part of the movie as I watched movies that ridicule Catholicism - to be honest, I wouldn't take the movie even with a pinch of seriousness. How can you? How can Muslims take that nonsense seriously. It is a B movie made to generate media hype and nothing more. The dramatic reaction and the killings feel that reaction. It has now become impossible to move around freely or talk freely or to be proud of a nationality.

Fourth, the critiques to Islam and to other religions abound. I am a student of the Christian critiques and I use wisdom and reason. However, many religious ministers threaten students like me either through some fiction like hell or more directly. Isn't it also a shame that certain factions within the mainstream world religions curb knowledge and science, replace knowledge and science by obtuse explanations, deter freedom and impose thought for control and power over the masses? As an atheist and a person interested in science, I can neither prove that God exists nor disprove it. On an ontological level it is easy to attribute properties to an entity; in practical terms these properties crumble.

These last arguments are the crux of humanist movements (namely emerging from the Age of Reason and the Enlightenment).

Finally, I do not agree that religions promote peace. They do not. Perhaps, like some theologians you are in search of the purity of religion. Atheists however argue the alter-ego - the holy war. As you know the holy war is not a concept restricted to Islam but has been abused over the centuries and has painted the Middle East red (e.g., the Crusades).

I hope you read my message to you. First, I wish you peace and happiness. I intend no disrespect to you or any other religious man or woman.

Second and most importantly I ask you why is restraint the only solution? I'd restrain no one - I just ignore them. Typically people who are ignored and socially ostracised either come around or self destruct.

Graham Holme

Sep 26th 2012, 16:03

Just a thought.....
A German's View on Islam - worth reading This is by far the best explanation of the Muslim terrorist situation I have ever read. His references to past history are accurate and clear. Not long, easy to understand, and well worth the read. The author of this email is Dr. Emanuel Tanya, a well-known and well-respected psychiatrist.
A man, whose family was German aristocracy prior to World War II, owned a number of large industries and estates. When asked how many German people were true Nazis, the answer he gave can guide our attitude toward fanaticism.
'Very few people were true Nazis,' he said, 'but many enjoyed the return of German pride, and many more were too busy to care. I was one of those who just thought the Nazis were a bunch of fools. So, the majority just sat back and let it all happen. Then, before we knew it, they owned us, and we had lost control, and the end of the world had come. My family lost everything. I ended up in a concentration camp and the Allies destroyed my factories.'
We are told again and again by 'experts' and 'talking heads' that Islam is the religion of peace and that the vast majority of Muslims just want to live in peace. Although this unqualified assertion may be true, it is entirely irrelevant. It is meaningless fluff, meant to make us feel better, and meant to somehow diminish the spectre of fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name of Islam.
The fact is that the fanatics rule Islam at this moment in history. It is the fanatics who march. It is the fanatics who wage any one of 50 shooting wars worldwide. It is the fanatics who systematically slaughter Christian or tribal groups throughout Africa and are gradually taking over the entire continent in an Islamic wave. It is the fanatics who bomb, behead, murder, or honour-kill. It is the fanatics who take over mosque after mosque. It is the fanatics who zealously spread the stoning and hanging of rape victims and homosexuals. It is the fanatics who teach their young to kill and to become suicide bombers.
The hard, quantifiable fact is that the peaceful majority, the 'silent majority,' is cowed and extraneous.
Communist Russia was comprised of Russians who just wanted to live in peace, yet the Russian Communists were responsible for the murder of about 20 million people. The peaceful majority were irrelevant.. China 's huge population was peaceful as well, but Chinese Communists managed to kill a staggering 70 million people.
The average Japanese individual prior to World War II was not a warmongering sadist. Yet, Japan murdered and slaughtered its way across South East Asia in an orgy of killing that included the systematic murder of 12 million Chinese civilians; most killed by sword, shovel, and bayonet.
And who can forget Rwanda, which collapsed into butchery. Could it not be said that the majority of Rwandans were 'peace loving'?
History lessons are often incredibly simple and blunt, yet for all our powers of reason, we often miss the most basic and uncomplicated of points: Peace-loving Muslims have been made irrelevant by their silence.
Peace-loving Muslims will become our enemy if they don't speak up, because like my friend from Germany , they will awaken one day and find that the fanatics own them, and the end of their world will have begun.
Peace-loving Germans, Japanese, Chinese, Russians, Rwandans, Serbs, Afghans, Iraqis, Palestinians, Somalis, Nigerians, Algerians, and many others have died because the peaceful majority did not speak up until it was too late.
As for us who watch it all unfold, we must pay attention to the only group that counts--the fanatics who threaten our way of life.
Lastly, anyone who doubts that the issue is serious and just deletes this email without sending it on, is contributing to the passiveness that allows the problems to expand. So, extend yourself a bit and send this on and on and on!
Let us hope that thousands, world-wide, read this and think about it, and send it on - before it's too late.
Now Islamic prayers have been introduced into Toronto and other public schools in Ontario, and, yes, in Ottawa too while the Lord's Prayer was removed (due to being so offensive?) The Islamic way may be peaceful for the time being in our country until the fanatics move in. And we are silent.....

ALBERT FENECH

Sep 26th 2012, 15:30

" ... but insists that it is high time to “discipline the extremely abused freedom of expression” '.

Whilst not disputing that this Imam is one of credibility and wisdom, I have to take issue with his insistence that extremely abused freedom of expression has to be disciplined. To begin with the very words "discipline" and "abused freedom of expression" are ambiguous and indefinite terms. What constitutes an "abuse of freedom of expression" ... the fact that I am being criticised ... that my beliefs are being criticised ... that because I do not agree with your views then I have to "discipline" them? When one begins to tinker with "disciplining freedom of expression" it becomes an endless and indefinite decline to dictatorship. The only mature way to deal with freedom of expression is to either accept it, or ignore it and if it exceeds the bounds of decency, there should be democratic legislation to deal with it. I quote "abuses" to be racism, discrimination of any kind and incitement to murder or violence. It is unfortunate to record that most Muslim countries not only allow but encourage racism and discrimination against Christians and very often are prone to violent incitement and murder whereas western, democratic countries (the ones that extreme Muslims attack and would demolish) have this democratic legislation in place. It is not incumbent on the free, western democracies to fall in line with Islam, it is incumbent on Islam to democratise its views.

ALBERT FENECH

Claire Busuttil

Sep 26th 2012, 15:18

prosit!

J Martinelli

Sep 26th 2012, 15:09

The Imam knows, or should know and acknowledge, that the violence by Muslims around the world has its basis on more than the film in question.
The film was just used as an excuse to perpetuate the jihad against anything non-Muslim and particularly against Christianity. Just think about the atrocities, the bombings of Christian churches in various countries, the Catholic priests murdered in cold blood, and the outright suppression of propagation of Christian faith. All these seem to be carried out by different branches of the same faith using different names.
Imams, throughout the world should meet and if indeed they are a 'peaceful bunch' should withdraw all jihads, all calls for murdering anyone who dares mock their prophet or portray him in a less than a favourable light.
Heaven forbid all Christians become violent every time their Pope is mocked, condemned, and abused both verbally, in writing and on air. No violence ensued by Catholics when Pope Benedict was depicted as a 'former Nazi SS' or the 'rottweiler of the Vatican', etc. How about feature-length films about the founder of Christianity which included heretic descriptions of His persona and His teachings? When was it last, that a Christian killed a Muslim because of his faith?
Why can Christians tolerate, although not necessarily agree to such negative connotations, while the Muslims cannot?
The bottom line is, the Muslims still live in a world of intolerance and still at war with anyone not of their faith. Maybe they should taste a bit of freedom of speech and expression and give equal rights to women and not treat them as their chattels. If they have not yet noticed, this is 2012, not 1512.
The world has grown tired of this kind of strife. How about a small dose of long overdue peace?

Imad Ali

Sep 26th 2012, 14:48

I applaud the Imam's decision.

One thing Muslim protesters, both the violent and the non-violent , still have to learn is that protesting against any kind of film, book or published article just draws more attention to it. In effect, by protesting you are adding more fuel to the fire. Case in point - Salman Rushdie's "Satanic Verses". The howling protests that followed the publication of that book (which I found thoroughly boring) turned Rushdie into a celebrity, his book into a bestseller, and Viking publishing firm thousands of dollars richer.

For all their infantile clamour, all these protesters have done in this particular situation is to make a third rate Youtube production one of the most watched clips in the world.

Kudos (sarcasm fully intentional).

Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi

Sep 26th 2012, 14:31

How long are muslims going to milk this old news of an obscure badly made video that was released months ago ?
Islam is getting to be the religion of perpetual rage, always demanding respect it has not earned.

Kate Micallef

Sep 26th 2012, 14:23

Even though the film was without any doubt stupid, however I believe in the freedom of expression, and no I do not agree with you that we should disciple as you call it the so abused freedom of expression. One has every right to say what he or she likes, cos we live in a free country. If you do not like the message you have every right and you should also express this peacefully and not react to violence. The film is not to be blamed cos of the killing and violence but ONLY those fundamental Muslims are to blame. If I do not agree with something I do not burn up building, torture and kill people... And you know the reason my cos I am civilised.
On the other hand, those so called Muslims who have your prophet at heart are not religious at all cos I imagine that no sacred book violence, torture and killing is accepted. So there again it's not the film that should be blamed but those fundamental Muslims, and all governments that does not condem such violent acts.

Angelo Polidano

Sep 26th 2012, 14:18

In my humble opinion those extrimist who are running riots because of the recent film that offended their religion are doing so to vent their hatred for the Americans. What has the American Embassador in Libja done to deserve being killed? And what fault have the American people working abroad to be persecuted? I wonder what will happen if anybody offends the Christian Religeon and Christian people go smashing the Embasies of Moslem countries and burning their Mosques? I am sure this will never happen with a civilized society.

russell fenech

Sep 26th 2012, 14:09

seems the DALAI LAMA was right week in stating..
" RELIGIONS ARE INADEQUATE".. and he refers to all..

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/13/dalai-lama-facebook-religion-is-no-longer-adequate-science_n_1880805.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

Ms.D. Galea

Sep 26th 2012, 13:53

What about the right of ALL non-muslims who live in predominatly Muslim countries to be allowed to FREELY practice their religion ...or lack of it... without the fear of being burnt alive in their church synagogue temple during prayers by some Islamist-inspired terrorist attack?

Human lives and Human Rights come first and foremost.

P Bonnici

Sep 26th 2012, 13:42

Mr El Sadi, what are your views about the Malaysian government making it illegal overnight for Christians to continue using the word Allah? Is this not intolerance?

Mr El Sadi, would you come to the help of our Christian Malays and condemns the Malaysian government?

mario delicata

Sep 26th 2012, 13:40

Mr. El Sadi, I think it is high time to “discipline the Muslim extremists who kill innocent people in the name of Allah' and who are fantatics. The demonstration was not allowed because it would backfired on the Muslim community in Malta. Remember you are a Chatolic country not an Islamic country.

P Bonnici

Sep 26th 2012, 13:38

Let's hope Muslims in other countries respect other religions. In my own personal experience, in Egypt, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bali and Libya, I found the average Muslim intolerant towards other faiths.

Joseph M. Saliba

Sep 26th 2012, 13:33

I do believe in the freedom of expression but I also believe in the respect towards other people with different idealogies especially religion and political views. I am against violence but the American people are fanning the fire especially against Islam. I think the Roman Catholic church was right when it condemned an American writer's blank statement that Jesur Christ was gay.

vincent a galea

Sep 26th 2012, 13:21

What a WISE and NOBLE decision......

A. MICALLEF

Sep 26th 2012, 13:17

Hekk sewwa ! Nirringrazjaw lil barrani talli ma jghamilx protesta f-pajjizna. SHAME !

Etienne Bonanno

Sep 26th 2012, 13:08

To the commentators below...do you realise that the Imam is calling for the Western world to muzzle itself - to throw away the freedom of expression that it has fought so hard to obtain - so as to accommodate the medieval mindset of (some) Muslims?

Nonsense - it is the Muslims who should evolve into the 21st century and not the Western world who should regress. Such statements from individuals who are perceived as moderate and enjoy respect within the Muslim community betray a deep lack of understanding of the Western mindset and they make me despair of the current geopolitical situation with the Middle-east.

ALBERT FENECH

Sep 26th 2012, 13:08

" ... but insists that it is high time to “discipline the extremely abused freedom of expression” '.

Whilst not disputing that this Imam is one of credibility and wisdom, I have to take issue with his insistence that extremely abused freedom of expression has to be disciplined. To begin with the very words "discipline" and "abused freedom of expression" are ambiguous and indefinite terms. What constitutes an "abuse of freedom of expression" ... the fact that I am being criticised ... that my beliefs are being criticised ... that because I do not agree with your views then I have to "discipline" them? When one begins to tinker with "disciplining freedom of expression" it becomes an endless and indefinite decline to dictatorship. The only mature way to deal with freedom of expression is to either accept it, or ignore it and if it exceeds the bounds of decency, there should be democratic legislation to deal with it. I quote "abuses" to be racism, discrimination of any kind and incitement to murder or violence. It is unfortunate to record that most Muslim countries not only allow but encourage racism and discrimination against Christians and very often are prone to violent incitement and murder whereas western, democratic countries (the ones that extreme Muslims attack and would demolish) have this democratic legislation in place. It is not incumbent on the free, western democracies to fall in line with Islam, it is incumbent on Islam to democratise its views.

ALBERT FENECH

Michael Camileri

Sep 26th 2012, 13:01

Thank you for your intelligent move Imam! If only others were like you!

Jay Oatmon

Sep 26th 2012, 12:59

The Dalai lama has said - "No religion is above the truth".

Paul Sammut

Sep 26th 2012, 12:54

Why protest for such a stupid film which makes no sense ? I have seen the film but have not been impressed at all by it because it is very poor in all aspects. In my opinion it ridicules the person who made the film not the religion as such. The less importance we give to such stupidities the better, otherwise we can protest on a daily basis until the end of time !

matthew tanti

Sep 26th 2012, 12:47

the Imam is rightly pointing out a common misconception i.e. that rights are not absolute, and must respect the rights of others. indeed freedom of expressiom cannot go the extreme of defaming people. it is not an "all or nothing" situation.

Shamison Busuttil

Sep 26th 2012, 12:42

i would like to see ending of a peaceful protest from foreigners in an islamic country ..........

russell fenech

Sep 26th 2012, 12:30

insomma .. fl'aħħar mill-aħħar id- DALAI LAMA għhandu raġun b'dak li qal din il-Ġimgħa..
"ALL RELIGIONS ARE NO LONGER ADEQUATE"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/13/dalai-lama-facebook-religion-is-no-longer-adequate-science_n_1880805.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

Simon Ciantar

Sep 26th 2012, 12:26

Dear El Sadi

the world would be a better place if all Muslims learned the meaning of tolerance and freedom of expression !!

Joseph N. Attard

Sep 26th 2012, 12:26

To my mind, the matter is very simple. It would appear that many Muslims are good people, whilst many other Muslims are just blood thirsty ......I was going to use a noun which quite rightly the Editor would not have allowed. But what and who made the latter what they are? That is a question which good Muslims must tackle. And then, they must eliminate or at least control the extremists in their midst. And then, they must grant Christians in Muslim lands the same treatment that Muslims receive in Christian lands. Did I say very simple?

Mario Sammut

Sep 26th 2012, 12:24

I have a lot of time for the Imam , who I have heard on local TV . He is truly a man of peace . To his flock of sheep I say to them , if you are living in our country , do not disrespect us and start your holy war from our shores . You are living in a DEMOCRATIC country , with all its benefits and freedom of speach and that is the way we choose to live . If you you want to impose your religion and beleives , then do so in your own country and leave us in peace and quite . We protest with our votes not with flag burning and rioting .

Anthony Grech

Sep 26th 2012, 12:15

If ALL Religious leaders were like the Malta Imam, the world would be a better place to live in.

John Benjamin Vincenti

Sep 26th 2012, 12:08

As our Great Prophet Jesus said " He who lives by the sword will die by the sword". Take careful note extremists!

Aldo Buttigieg

Sep 26th 2012, 12:04

Dan ir- ragel haqqu post easy fil- parlament ta' Malta!

mike fenech

Sep 26th 2012, 12:03

The Imam said……If we want to protect our lives, our properties and our honour, let us protect them not by the police but by right ,justice and mutual respect!

The Western World give Muslims and all other religions mutual respect ,but do Muslim countries do the same???? NOT.

Mrs Maria Rosaria Brincat

Sep 26th 2012, 12:03

Meta nara kif jirreagixu persuni ta religionijiet ohra nirejaliza kemm jiena xortija tajba li jiena Kristjana ghax ir religion tana qatt ma tejdilna biex min izeblaha NOQTLUH, anzi tejdilna biex NITOLBU ghalih. B hekk nghatu ezempju tajjeb.

Susan Farrugia

Sep 26th 2012, 12:02

Whilst applauding Imam's El Sadi's comments one cannot but say ' Mr El Sadi, if this were to happen in a Moslem country, if protests were to be made by Christians for all things said against Our Lord Jesus Christ - Mr El Said what would happen?. In Islam there is NO Tolerance of freedom of expression, that is totally foreign to the religion. Extremism is wrong no matter what faith or religion - lack of dialogue is the cause of the lack of tolerance. Ignorance is the bedrock of violence. No insulting work against any faith should be applauded be it Moslem, Jew or even Christian - as Christians we allow people of other faiths to come to our countries and DEMAND that we remove our Crosses, they DEMAND, that we tone down our faith and we comply- SORRY but tolerance must work both sides. To live in peace TOLERANCE AND THE UPHOLDING OF OUR HUMAN DIGNITY MUST BE PARAMOUNT, anything less than this shows the world what you truly are and what you believe in.

mike fenech

Sep 26th 2012, 11:58

The Imam said……If we want to protect our lives, our properties and our honour, let us protect them not by the police but by right ,justice and mutual respect!

The Western World give Muslims and all other religions mutual respect ,but do Muslim countries do the same???? NOT.

Roderick Camilleri

Sep 26th 2012, 11:53

For all those of whom ctiticise the Imam..... you should thank God of having him as the Islamic leader in Malta, he stopped protests from being held, differently then tens if not hundreds of other imams who might have themselves organised, for the popularity of their own followers.
As regards to the his arguments of tolerance, he must at least condemn the movie, what is he supposed to do? We western citizens might keep on arguing about how tolerant and open minded we are, while at the same time western companies are pumping islamist nations oil, presence of military basis all over, and western corrupted goverments running their countries. So........ there is not a good versus bad society.

John Scerri

Sep 26th 2012, 11:39

Had the Imam been the leader of the Islamic world there might not have been these murders, violence and distruction.

Any protests planned in favour of islamic women students to be allowed to study whatever they want?

Mike Hunt

Sep 26th 2012, 11:38

Abuse of freedom of expression? Such as scaring children of a tender age with tales of a magic man in the sky and eternal fires?

Tatiana Heraghty

Sep 26th 2012, 11:35

"Mr El Sadi recently said the You Tube film was to blame for the deaths of several people"...Are you sure you are blaming the right people, Mr El Sadi? There are lots of provocations in our lives but it does not mean we all have to kill each other if we don't like someone else views . Extremism in Islam is to blame for the deaths... really...

joseph saliba

Sep 26th 2012, 11:34

We are lucky to live in a country enjoying freedom of religion. More so we should feel proud of our Christian tradition but at the same time honoured by the presence of a Muslim community led by Imam Mohammed el Sadi - a benign mature religious leader possessing great wisdom.

I Bugeja

Sep 26th 2012, 11:33

The Imam made the best choice especially in the situation that Malta finds itself with illegal immigration. It would be very easy for a lot of people to associate wrongly illegal immigration and a (God forbid) violent protest.

The You Tube film however is not to blame for the deaths of several people. They weren't killed by the film but by armed extremist (?) Muslims.

Discipline freedom of expression in a Muslim way? Forget it, remember where you live and remember that our way of living has been shaped over the years. Just one word, ADAPT in the same way westerners have to adapt when visiting Muslim countries.

John Azzopoardi

Sep 26th 2012, 11:16

The Iman said...:insists that it is high time to “discipline the extremely abused freedom of expression”. Does this mean we are going to renag on freedome of expressions. People, the time is not yet ripe for muslims in malta to protest as their numbers are small but growing. If they had strenght, they would protest.

Mr G Psaila

Sep 26th 2012, 11:14

This man really has a positive influence and shows his respect for our country in an outstanding manner.

Jesmar Cremona

Sep 26th 2012, 11:14

I really admire this Imam. I just hope that all future successors will follow his example. What worries me is the fact that the: Muslim community in Malta' wanted to hold a protest... What the hell Malta has to do with all this?!? Why protesting in other countries that have nothing to do with the matter?

Christian Sciberras

Sep 26th 2012, 11:09

Well done. Highly commendable, I must say.

fred sammut

Sep 26th 2012, 11:07

well done Mr Sadi a good example. Very good example.

There must be a genaral peace walk agianst ALL extremties ... ALL

Justin Azzopardi

Sep 26th 2012, 11:05

I don't know by which standards these people believe that their beliefs are to be held in higher regard than those of others. There have been comedic and sarcastic productions about other religions (commonly the Christian) and peoples throughout the years and never any violent response, for in the free-thinking/non-fanatical world we are capable of rational thought and either choose not to pay attention to such productions or simply have them inspire rational thought and conversation... I do believe in multiculturalism but such may only exist in the realm of free thought and respect for others opinions, even when such opinions openly mock our own. If such may not be handled... well then there are countries in the world which are purely fanatical and I might suggest moving to one of those... my apologies but Malta is not one such country!!

anthony sultana

Sep 26th 2012, 11:03

The Imam is smart,all the protest that we had all arouund the world ,is a sign of weakness, which create mistrust.So one boring person can create a war, all he have to do is to write some thing against the Muslims, and the third world war will start.That's the future we are facing,open your eyes Malta.

C. Bonnici

Sep 26th 2012, 11:02

Well done Mr El Sadi. But it's always a very good idea to allow anyone who's emotionally hurt to express himself, in one way or another. Otherwise one could be just delaying the inevitable. That is, I don't think it would be wise for Muslims (or any other religious group) to cause rioting in Malta, but one should be cautious on how to manage people's emotions.

Of course, Maltese authorities should ensure that their forces are well equipped for eventual rioting. At some point, their skills will be tested. It is clear that nowadays, things are much worse than they were 10, or even 5, years ago.

Robert Cassar

Sep 26th 2012, 11:01

It was a good move not to go in streets here in Malta as here as we do not tolerate such things and would have spread hatred however Muslims seems to hide behind their religion which religion have nothing to do with violence anyway I saw the movie and its only funny so I do not know what is the hassle all about. It’s just a movie nothing more nothing less.. In Muslim courtiers Jews and Christians do not have any rights so Mr Imam here we have two ways and two measures a..

John Azzopoardi

Sep 26th 2012, 10:57

My fear is not today as the muslim community is still small in numbers and mainly made up of illegal migrants. Once the muslim community grows in numbers, we will be in for some rough times. And that is a fact.

MT Caruana

Sep 26th 2012, 10:51

Well done to Mr El Sadi. A great man.

Michael Grech

Sep 26th 2012, 10:47

While upholding the right of people to make disgusting movies as the one in question, I refer those amongst us who think that they can preach about civilised and modern behaviour to other people and religions to the following link

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120926/local/-Most-men-are-provoked-into-domestic-violence-.438414#comment_1464041

D Vella

Sep 26th 2012, 10:44

Imam El Sadi you are a man deserving of much respect. That the so-called film was despicable and reprehensible goes without saying, indeed one notes most legitimate representatives of the Western world have condemned it in one way or another. Regardless of this however, nothing can justify mindless and wanton acts of violent barbarity.
If only your contemporaries would follow your excellent example in condemning the violence and refusing to sanction protests which may lead to more. There are, indeed, other ways to protest and convey the message and your own statements and actions go a long way in doing so in a manner that is credible and can be respected.

Frances Makarova

Sep 26th 2012, 10:42

Kudos to Mr. El Sadi for strongly condemning those Muslims in Malta who wanted to behave like those in other nations which are threatening violence against innocent victims. In Sydney Australia there was rioting. Fortunately the Muslim leaders in Melbourne put a stop to violence, and publicly condemned it on TV, by prohibiting a planned repetition of what happened in Sydney. That being said, there have been YouTube videos which have condemned Islamic violence without causing riots. Free Speech is everyone's right, not just for those whose religious beliefs apparently allow them to act violently. Hate Crime is a two way street.

Louise Vella

Sep 26th 2012, 10:37

So we learn that “many Muslims in Malta” wanted “to organise a demonstration to protest against the provocative film”. This is a foretaste of what can happen in future. As for the imam’s view that “it is high time to discipline the extremely abused freedom of expression”, he should know that freedom of expression is part of Western culture.

Philip Mizzi

Sep 26th 2012, 10:33

Mr El Sadi clearly demonstarted that not all muslims are fundamentalists. Islam, like all major religions promotes love and peace between man, it is man that distorts this teaching to suit his purposes.

It is ironic that fundamentalists kill for their religion, but they seem not capable to live its teachings!!

John J Borg

Sep 26th 2012, 10:33

the Imam is a very wise man..........

C Dalli

Sep 26th 2012, 10:32

Congratulations Mr El Said for your wise decision and judicious leadership. All Muslims should be enjoined to follow the example of the Maltese Islamic community in choosing the ways offered by superior civilized and peaceful choices and methods to reply to evil and hurtful attacks against one's faith and values.

Alfred Gatt

Sep 26th 2012, 10:29

Well done, Imam. Tolerance is the best road to peace between peoples of different beliefs.

Erin Ciantar

Sep 26th 2012, 10:29

"but insists that it is high time to “discipline the extremely abused freedom of expression”."

You have got to be joking. It took centuries for Europe and America to reach this level of tolerance, and we're not going back. Freedom of speech is fundamental to our way of life. I may agree with what you say, but I will always defend your right to say it.

Etienne Bonanno

Sep 26th 2012, 10:29

"Mr El Sadi recently said the You Tube film was to blame for the deaths of several people"

Nonsense. It's their killers who are responsible for the deaths of several people. Nobody compelled them to go out and commit murder.

Luciano Mule Stagno

Sep 26th 2012, 10:25

Well done for avoiding a situation which could get out of hand

This is a crude, provocative, badly made and stupid video - of which there are thousands or millions on the internet - and as you correctly point out no country is responsible for it - however I cannot agree with
your comment - :discipline the extremely abused freedom of expression”. - that is one slippery slope we cannot afford to go down - who would decide what is and what isn't abusive?
As we have seen over and over again censorship tends to keep growing to restrict more and more free speech

And in this day and age - unless the whole world agreed on uniform censorship - how could you stop anyone from posting it on a website in another country?


Also, the reaction was clearly out of proportion - and maybe what we need to focus on is more education and control of extremist groups that take every opportunity to incite violence against their favorite targets. While the video triggered the action the responsibility for the murders lies with the murderers.

@Adriano Spiteri - have not checked the facts but wikipedia is not a citable source as anyone can edit it.

C Attard

Sep 26th 2012, 10:25

Dear Imam. You could have done the protest. Every civilsed person have the right to protest. BUT, there are ways and means of protesting, and seems that you know HE WHO asked you to do the protest, THAT's WHY you refused.. quoting your own words.."But I chose not to do so fearing it may get out of hand and send the wrong message and because there are other ways to protest and convey our message,” he adds.
So what type of protest were they suggesting ?? or we should have read a message between the lines?, which most of the below readers did not notice yet

Jacob Vella

Sep 26th 2012, 10:11

Well done Imam for both your cautious leadership measures and the respect you have earned from the local Muslim community - I suppose that riots and protests would have still happened if your advice was not deemed relevant by all those who felt offended by the 'film'.

Eve Axiaq

Sep 26th 2012, 10:11

Religious extremism is the biggest threat against Islam the 'Religion of Peace'.

Anthony A. Mifsud

Sep 26th 2012, 10:10

Well done a very good decission

A. Schembri

Sep 26th 2012, 10:05

As a person who has watched the film, and not a Muslim, I still found this film very offensive and should be deplored. Whilst I obviously agree that such a film will have caused agrevation to many muslims, similar to what the Da Vinci code did to Christians and Roman Catholics in particular, I Do not agree that a number of extremists take the upper hand and perform crime in murders and violence as this is putting a black shadow on Islam. I have a number iof Muslinm friends and even work with people of multiple faith. I do not believe any faith preaches violence, arrogance and abuse, and Islam is surely one that true Islam falls within this category.

VV Bartolo

Sep 26th 2012, 10:04

if all leaders were like him!!

Jason Coleiro

Sep 26th 2012, 10:02

Now you are the man.

Adriano Spiteri

Sep 26th 2012, 09:57

"the film had been made for $5 million obtained from more than 100 Jewish donors"
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innocence_of_Muslims

Joseph M Scicluna

Sep 26th 2012, 09:55

Well done Imam. Islam is a religion of peace but unfortunately fundamentalism wrecks the whole thing.
I am a Roman Catholic but I admire Imam and hope that all hierarchy of all religions reasons things as Mr El Sadi did. Congratulations Imam and may Allah bless you always.

Alfred Falzon

Sep 26th 2012, 09:52

Well done to the Imam for leading by example.

John Benjamin Vincenti

Sep 26th 2012, 09:49

The Iman states that it is high time to "discipline the extremely abused freedom of expression". I have to absolutely agree and also add that the extremely abused muslim "freedom of violent protesst" needs even more serious disciplining.
For sure, only cowards gather in masses with the intention of causing violence and mortal injury using the pretext of defending God or a Prophet's name.

paul camilleri

Sep 26th 2012, 09:48

one must congratulate Mr El Sadi on the way he has handle the situation here in Malta and one should expect such actions to go rewarded even the American Ambassador should congratulate Mr El Sadi for doing his utmost to contain muslims in Malta.

i would even go as far as putting him up for nomination for the Nobel peace prize.

again well done Mr El Sadi and we sincirly pray that other Muslims around the world take your example.

R. Caruana

Sep 26th 2012, 09:44

"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned." - Siddhartha Gautama

R Mallia

Sep 26th 2012, 09:40

A big well done to Mr. EL Sadi,

But FREEdom of expression is all about being free to express yourself. Muslims are free to do a video about our faith, which there are alot of videos against the church and you don't see catholics going around killing people. etc... or How about If I go with a cross around my neck in Saudi Arabia? Would I be safe?

so I refuse to blame Youtube. I blame extremists.

A Cachia

Sep 26th 2012, 09:12

Well done to Mr EL Sadi.

The best protest is by not watching the film and by not giving the director the publicity he wants.

Hugh Jampton

Sep 26th 2012, 09:11

“discipline the extremely abused freedom of expression”.
Would that include the building of churches and freedom to be a Christian in Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia for instance?