Middle East: Anti-Muslim film sparks Egyptian and Libyan riots

As news spread that Christopher Stevens, the U.S. ambassador to Libya, had been tragically killed because of an anti-Islam film that denigrates the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Americans were left wondering how a seemingly obscure movie could have caused one of the biggest foreign policy crises the U.S. has faced in recent years.

In the days before the internet, Innocence of Muslims would have died a quiet death on America's shores. Thanks to the web, however, it became the ostensible pretext for mass rioting in Libya and Egypt that resulted in the death of Stevens and three other Americans.

Although the actions of Muslims in Libya and Egypt do not represent Islam and actually aims to disgrace the religion as violence and ignorance is their motto whereas Islam stands for peace and tolerance, the video which was created to mock the most beloved Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) is only inciting a reaction from Muslims worldwide.

However, the correct reaction by Muslims should be one of reason and logical explanation not hatred and mass killing. Both sides are behaving in a manner which is causing chaos and disorder in the world. With innocent people losing their lives by a fit of anger from those who claim to represent the religion.

"And when it is said to them: 'Create not disorder on the earth,' they say: 'We are only promoters of peace'." [Holy Qur'an, 2:12]

However, filmmakers should understand that they have a power through the use of social media nowadays and with that power comes great responsibility as their videos can cause great harm to many as they can hurt the sentiments of others for the sake of art or fame.

This one film trailer has created a snowball effect which has ended in the killing of Stevens and is shocking for the world to witness in the 21st Century. It only once again highlights the ignorance of those who do not understand how their actions will have serious ramifications across the world.


The Ahmadiyya Post, Middle East. 13 Sept 2012