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strong>Sept. 19, Online

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) announced on Wednesday that the distribution of Innocence of Muslims, a film that ridicules the Prophet Muhammad, was haram (prohibited under Iwslamic law).

MUI division head for foreign affairs KH Muhidin Junaidi said that any visualization of the Prophet Muhammad, whether it glorified or denigrated the prophet, had never been allowed.

Your comments:

There really is no need for a ruling. It’s just common sense. Do your best not to offend...if you do, then do it to make a point, not just to ridicule. In this case, the film maker is unwise, but still entitled to express himself. Don’t watch it if you don’t like it.

This ruling only applies to Muslims, does it not? I don’t believe the filmmaker is a Muslim, so it doesn’t apply to him. Even if he is, he can still choose whether or not to comply. It’s called freedom of choice. Again, don’t watch it if you don’t like it.

Why is it that the protesters resort to violence? And always do over these types of issue. Doesn’t that only ridicule the religion even more? A graceful response to the “blasphemy” would receive more sympathy around the world.

It would present the religion and its followers as more dignified rather than a mob which causes trouble for the rest of the society. The violence is contradictory to the claim that Islam is a peaceful religion.

 Christine Pan