Everybody Draw Mohammed Day

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Everybody Draw Mohammed Day
by Ari Siletz
27-May-2010
 

May 20th was Everyone Draw Mohammad Day. A Western counter-reaction to the Islamist reaction to the infamous Danish Mohammad cartoons. The Facebook page is now gone, after some controversy.  But a web article on by Nick Gillespie and Matt Welch preserved three of the best drawings. Here they are, with some discussion:

Top left: A reference to The Treachery of Images by Belgian surrealist Rene Magritte (1898-1967). The original painting poses a philosophical question about the nature of representation. We say “it is a pipe,” but obviously it is not because it is merely a picture of a pipe. You can’t smoke it. This Mohammad cartoon takes Magritte’s mind bender one step further as it is not even a picture of Mohammad, though it claims it is. Delightfully clever reference.

Top Right: Another reference--this time to Where’s Waldo--the work could be called Where’s Mohammad (yes, I think I found him). One interpretation that immediately comes to mind is that the work criticizes people who go around looking for reasons to be offended, even if they are hard to find. They seem to find pleasure in being insulted and acting out over it. Where’s the IC commenter?

Bottom left:

This connect-the-dots cartoon is not in and of itself a picture of Mohammad unless the viewer wishes to make it so. On the one hand it is an in-your-face statement seemingly encouraging even the clumsiest to participate in the drawing contest. On the other hand it is a meditation on how the viewer actually participates in creating a work of art even though he/she believes the artist is the sole creator.  Even in the Mona Lisa we “connect the dots” to complete the artistic communication process. How Muslims connect the dots in the case of Mohammad images is a matter of free will.

Bottom right: One of the original Mohammad cartoons that started the fracas. First published in Denmark’s Jyllands-Posten in 2005, these drawings are examples of works where the word “art” cannot be applied even if to say it is bad art. Bad art is unoriginal, meaningless, boring, irrelevant, or poorly executed, but it is  harmless as long as it stays confined to cheap motels. The Jylland-Posten cartoons are actually meant to hurt. They are cuss words, not art. Paradoxically, they have now acquired a meaning in the context of freedom of speech. So now they’re art in the sense that they unlock deeper ideas in us! Go figure.

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more from Ari Siletz
 
Iraniandudee3

Hope

by Iraniandudee3 on

Hopefully the crazy islamists don't go and blow theirselves up cause of these pics.


Iraniandudee3

Who

by Iraniandudee3 on

Started this day in the first place? HAHA


seanj

to Raoul1955

by seanj on

A hateful bigoted mind is a hateful bigoted mind and no matter to what ideology you apply it, it always produces the same garbage; the same stereotypings, the same generalizations, the same arrogance and ignorance and absolutic views. Many people on this forum and the so-called islamic fundamentalists are just two faces of the same coin.


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Raoul1955

by KouroshS on

Amazing.

It takes a hate-monger and hateful and violent with hate filled heat and minds to know a similar bunch. did that ever cross your "peace loving" mind?


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Seanj

by KouroshS on

Indeed and they are shooting themselves in the foot and defeating their own purpose.

How Tragic.


Raoul1955

To 'seanj'

by Raoul1955 on

In your posted response to 'vildesmose' at 12:58 AM PDT you wrote:
"I am much more comfortable with people who openly promote hatred than those who ..."

This indicates that you feel comfortable being around muslims.  I assume that you realize that the islamic folks are the most hateful, violent, bigoted people with hate-filled hearts and minds, and hate-filled rhetoric [followed by violent acts] against non-muslims and also against freedom loving humans on this planet.
Cheers now,
Sean


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The Poster

by KouroshS on

Should keep in mind that "opposing views" can be expressed in so many ways and would not have to focus on Disparaging the image and the message of a prophet and someone who is revered by a lot of MUSLIMS and Not The ISLAMISTS.

The Sheer use of The Term "Islamist" is a clear indication of harboring ill-will toward the Ideology of millions of inhabitants on this planet Without taking the time and bothering to Make the distinction at least between a Peaceful believer and a Radical believer. Islamist could be someone who abuses The name of Islam for his own agenda, But a Muslim is not necessarily an islamist.

The Poster's message is a clear illustration of Hypocracy for showing lack of Tolerance to Opposition and protesting even when he is presented with reasons as to  why such opposition is displayed. Perhaps the poster is so pre-occupied with Preserving his own right to free speech he has totally forgotten about Others and their right as well. In his mind there is only one Guilty party, Only one doomed Philosophy and only one school of though that needs to face destruction. So much for being Open-minded and In favor of Freedom of speech for all people.

People are allowed to choose their own religion WOrldwide, and given that there are certain places where there are some exception to this rule, Does not lend any credibility whatsoever to the Bashing stance that this poster has adopted.

I wish This person had the decency to admit that when he broadbrushed a whole group of people and held them responsible for ALL The atrocities, He is the one who is actually viewing this as a war because he is the one who demanding Reparations. Yet, he Tries the "rad gom kardan" approach by using all the nonsense about Your bill is due and please go to the nearest albertson's to pay it.

I seriously think The poster should go outside and finish grilling his chickens and beef steaks and avoid shouting war and revenge seeking slogans and definitely do some dipping in cold water.

Enjoy the rest of Your Memorial days folks...


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Bill is due

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

Does not mean a threat of war. It means repayment for what is owed. If I make damages I will get a bill. When I get the bill I do not take it as a declaration of war; it is a bill. I pay and am done with it. Islamists have done great damage to the world in the past 1400 years. The bill is due and they should make amends. It starts by rejecting violence. Next, tolerance of opposing views including the cartoons. In addition rejection of the violent element and and turning them to justice. Allowing people to chose their own religion.

From the posts from our Islamists it is clear they are not ready. They prefer to view this as a war. One which they will lose as surely as Iraq. The smart person will make amends and move on.

The fool will go for a war and lose. Just like Naser who lost both land and honor. It took the intelligent man: Sadat to regain it. He was repaid by Islamists by death.

Now who was the fool and who was the man of honor?

VPK


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True display of Bigotry

by KouroshS on

Is when Someone Regardless of any distinctions or even bothering to dig out the details and main differences between various sects within a certain Religious group, Puts them all in one Big category, and Places the responsibility for the atrocities committed by one extermist faction on the shouldres of everyone else.

Only a racist would go that far and declares "war" and Forwarns for preparedness!

 


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Vildemose

by KouroshS on

There can not be anything Peaceful about any contest, whose objective it is to Redicule something or someone holy and respected by many in the world. Painting the Ugly pig's face with an even uglier smile is not gonna do the job and is not a Justification.

It is not Only Islamists In general who ask us to do so, Go to any Ultra_christian and Ultra-jewish community and you will face the exact same dillema. The conclusion that you and others like you should hopefully be able to draw is that, It is not "Islamists" who are The problem here.

A Rational and Normal Islamist has every right to be offended By the display of such image. A radical Islamist however is the one who decides to go out and do something about it.

 


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...

by sag koochooloo on

We cannot lump Muslims, and other people of religions into one category. For example, the one cartoon where Mohammed is depicted as a suicide bomber lumps Muslims into the category of suicide bombers. This is why I dislike some of this stuff which does NOTHING but put back dialog and progress. These deluded individuals belonging to "a" religion hijack it for their own gains. What is the point of punishing the majority with Hate Speech?

The Myth of the Silent Muslim Majority  

Even those who are not religious (including myself) should respect the beliefs of others, and not support the use of Hate Speech in getting even with criminals, when the majority are innocent. This is not a personal comment to anybody but just my own opinion.


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Seanj

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

Have you heard of Karma? Have you heard of universal law of Asha? Or "you reap what you sow". Yes you bet Muslims are being paid back for their actions.

I support freedom of speech in general. However yes those who use it to draw Muhammand are trying to make fun. They are trying to make fun of Islam. And why not? Do you prefer if they acted like Muslims by killing and burning down. I think given all the "bigot" Westerners are being far more civilised.

The actions of Islamists is coming back to haunt them. This is just the beginning. For 1400 years of rape and murder there is a long bill due.

Better get ready for the payment.


seanj

to vildemose

by seanj on

The Mohammad drawing contest attracted bigots because the very nature of this contest was based on bigotry. Frankly, I am much more comfortable with people who openly promote hatred than those who sugarcoat their bigotry and try to give it an "intellectual" motive.

The truth is that many of you (especially on Iranian.com) who support and justify this contest, deeply enjoy the hurt it is causing to the Muslim community. You see it as some sort of opportunity for "pay back" and "revenge". That is why in almost all the comments in support of this contest, you will find references to events such as the case of Salman Rushdi and the suffering that Muslims caused to others in the past. All these slogans about the advancing the cause "freedom of speech"..etc is just plain nonesense. I am sure any of you could think of much better ways to promote tolerance and other democratic values than to insult other people.

 

 


vildemose

  The contestt to draw

by vildemose on

 

The contestt to draw Mohammed is a peaceful protest against censorship. While it drew an unfortunate number of bigots and idiots who do want to be as insulting to Islam as possible, that was not its point.

When Islamists ask us to be governed by their cultural taboos in our speech in the public sphere, they are demanding not our respect, but our submission.

//www.progressivepuppy.com/the_progressive_puppy/2010/04/facebooks-everybody-draw-muhammad-day.html


truthseeker

who is really in charge why

by truthseeker on

who is really in charge why is this happening? who set up the iran rev and everything else in the first place. 9/11 israel, bush obama and hillary to come. all roads lead to the end timers they want to set our amazing planet to burn. so they can get the rapture. everyone works for them whether u know it or not. they are the ones behind all of this organized choas. do u know how hard and cruel it is for muslim ppl in the west now. most ppl here have no time for them, they call them r*gheads, sand n*ggers and worst and it's ok. all newspapers here head with muslims this muslims that. even saying that they r not very clean even (where have we heard that before?) nazi germany claimed free speech and it was all just a bit of light hearted humour with anti jewish cartoons and we all know were that lead. these cartoon are being done on purpose even on tv news here they talk about the palestinian question and the muslim problem. everyone here can feel, know that when a 9/11 event which the end-timers have already planned happens we europe will just get rid of all muslim ppl once and for all. as u and everyone else should be shamed of this on going holocaust but u r not. the third anti-christ is coming now, the false peace and his third temple will soon be upon us. so really even talking on any of this is just a waste of time, as know one wants to really listen. but most importantly no one wants to do the right thing!

 //www.offourbacks.org/RapeOfHadji.htm this is your free speech this is what happens because israel has hollywood and are working for the same ppl who backed hilter.

will we ever see the whole truth told on iraq and everything? of course not. as tonight more bad things will be happening. western block crusaders will be doing what they do best killing and raping ppl who r not white and mostly don't speak english so it is not really important is it! do any of u care. what is really the piont of this site or anything else?  


Ari Siletz

VPK: Score!

by Ari Siletz on

Well expressed points.


Rea

VPK

by Rea on

How about a draw VPK contest ?

Will try. ;o)


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

truthseeker

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

You are confusing half a dozen things with each other.

  • Freedom of speech is not a Western tool or idea. It is a requirement of an open and a free nation.
  • You don't need freedom of speech to steal. In fact freedom of speech may well prevent stealing as the thieves are exposed.
  • Rape is a habit of IRI. We don't need the West since the mullas are very much into rape and other sexual assaults.
  • It is freedom of speech that lets you talk about Palestine and Iraq. Without free speech governments could ban talk of Palestine or Iraq as "offensive".
  • How does freedom of speech have anything to do with West getting away with things? At least free speech lets you complain about ii.
  • I am not calling anyone ni****. You need a reality check dude. In fact no one is calling anybody names. 

Really truthseeker, you should be supporting free speech. Do you think you could argue against Western actions in US if we did not have free speech? Would you be able to talk about Palestine? The price is that they get to criticize you in return.


truthseeker

freedom of speech?

by truthseeker on

freedom of speech? the freedom to lie to rape to steal the west built their nations on a constant state of holocausts that are still on going today in palestine iraq and so many other places how can u play along in this cruelty. don't u care what the western block powers are getting away with. they have found someone else to call n*gger and you are joining in with this. ur better than this!


Iraniandudee3

Already did

by Iraniandudee3 on

In the toilet today.


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

truthseeker

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

Who defines responsible: you? Or Khomeini or Ahmadinejad! Wasn't he inviting all the holocaust deniers last year? But to Islamist that is just fine.

Freedom of speech is exactly this. To be allowed to say what is controversial. To be free to offend and to criticize and make fun of.

By the way: there are plenty of places that make fun of Jews and Blacks. I heard a US senator comment about African leaders "eating each other". Obnoxious: yes. But protected by freedom of speech. The problem is that the Islamist mentality simply is not able to comprehend freedom of speech or any other kind.

VPK


truthseeker

this is wrong

by truthseeker on

real freedom is not just about having free speech but being responsible with it. western ppl should check their history. it use to be cool for them to call black ppl the n-word and draw cartoons of them as monkeys and of black babies drinking bottles of ink instead of milk and so on. facebook did all of this on purpose, would they have allowed nazi cartoon of jewish ppl. of little jewish boys crapping gold coins and so on. but just like all of these other sites this one included are really controlled by zionist murdock media. but with all said and done muslim ppl should bulletproof themselves to this the prophet pbuh would want us all to do the right thing and get angry on the right things like the rape of iraq, the palesinian plight and zionists hollywood and their end-timer masters. not to mention stick up 4 non zionist jews who r suffering unfairly 4 the crimes of israel.


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

I guess

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

After all this hart o purt no one is up to my challenge. Not up to drawing VPK, why not! People: you can do it. I know I am too handsome for many to draw. But I promise I won't get offended if the pictures are not up to par. 

Don't waste your time with drawing Muhammad. My followers won't pass fatwas on you! They won't go breaking things up. Why get people mad when you could help pay for my retirement. I welcome Muslims; Bahai'; Jewish; Arab or anyone who wants to draw me.

VPK


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Anvar

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

We are on the same page. This is just an example of how the inoffensive stuff gets shunted off whilst the other stuff gets right through.

It is like having the old lady at the airport getting searched to the hilt and the drug dealer getting right through! To admin: one miss; no hit time time!


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Anvar

by KouroshS on

Well, You see there lies the problem. Not many individuals do have that much control over their own behavior at times and lable you indiscriminately and without hearing you out first. 

i guess getting beyond such "rhetrics" would be a wise move, but at the same time if we have a sizeable portion of a population with that kind of belief, it could just eventually get out of hand and it would be akin to the violence being perpetrated by those whom they strongly oppose!

 


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Souri jan

by KouroshS on

I take anything that you tell me as compliment. Thanks for being on my side LOL

He might have said things he should not have said, but so long as he has not offended anyone in a particular and intentionally harmful way i think we should just let him/her be.


Anvar

*KouroshS* - competition of opposing ideas

by Anvar on

I truly believe the thought of love is much stronger than the thought of hate.  I realize what I theorize in words is not easily practicable.  It takes time and I never claimed that it would be easy.  

We must give everyone as much freedom of speech as possible.  Then, the onus of being a decent human being falls squarely on their own shoulders.

My battles are for the minds & souls of people.  The more that is accomplished, the less frequent becomes the abuses of the principles of free speech.

I realize that what they say has a direct and intimate impact on you, but not on me.  So if I told you what I really felt inside, you’d probably not relate to it.  

Try to get beyond the passionate rhetoric of people and give people the benefit of the doubt and a chance to clarify their positions.   For example:
I may be wrong but I don’t believe the comment by *Anonymous Observer* that bothered you:
[“People who value religion, any religion, over free speech need to get over themselves.  There is no place for them in a modern society.”]
is really how he feels.  However, it’s ok if that is indeed his sentiment.  Now mind you, I didn’t say the idea was ok.  I said it’s ok for him to believe that.   In that case, let the competition of opposing ideas, for the minds of others, begin.

Anvar


Marjaneh

Veiled Prophet of Khorasan, abolutely correct!

by Marjaneh on

The law always needs to be upheld.

Which is why it is so important to uphold those values and not to succumb to "ephemeral feelings" of offense!

In fact one of the issues I have with religious discrimination, as in religious discrimination,   AND ALL OTHERS, is that they, in fact continue to discriminate against others.

Not to mention that religion is a creed, something people are not born with, but often born into....

 

Your list is absolutely correct and abhorrent. As I wrote elsewhere, Alan Turing, I mean Alan Turing was about to be obliterated from history in Texas because he was gay! 

 

 

 

Every fascism is an index of a failed revolution - Walter Benjamin


Souri

Kourosh jon

by Souri on

I am following this thread since the beginning. Let me first tell you that I am %100 with every thing you said here (I now avoid saying too many complementary thing to your different statements because it is obvious that we are almost always in tune :)) and also it may seem to the people that I'm becoming your personal cheer leader, LOL !

Yes, what Darveesh said could be logical, I agree. But he has a way of demeaning people, that is very disgusting.

He did the same thing to the people, in some other blogs. I'm observing him since yesterday and can say that I'm really pissed off to see that some people never change their attitude.

About the picture of Baha'u'llah, I believe there were some degrading posts here last year. I think Anvar has already stated his opinion about that, which was not so different from what he said today:

"If you make people understand that insulting cartoons only demean the
artists, and not their subjects, then they’ll eventually change their
behavior.  That will take time and a new way of thinking on your (my)
part.
"


Anvar

*VPK* - a system fluke?

by Anvar on

It is strange.  I don’t see it either. You had humorously cautioned me not to let it (Ahura promotion) go to my head, which I thought was pretty funny and absolutely non-offensive to anyone.  I wonder if the system had a hiccup.

Anvar