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I will not be part of it

By: Qwaider

On:Friday, May 21, 2010 8:22:40 PM
In:Thoughts
Viewed: (5034) times

Currently 4.6/5 Stars.
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Rated 4.6/5 stars (104 votes cast)

I understand the concerns that were convoyed to me from some of you regarding some offending blogs that I happen to promote on Qwaider Planet.

Let me start by saying I am not going to be apologetic when it comes to offending people in anyway. I will take swift and decisive actions. I think historically this has been the case. People who were removed knew exactly what they were doing, yet persisted.

Offending religion, mine or otherwise is NOT Acceptable. It might be allowed under the US constitution, or practiced under the umbrella of freedom of speech. However, MY freedom of expression, gives me the right NOT to accept, promote or be part of any campaign targeted to smear religions, or religious figure heads.

That's just to explain why certain changes were made, and in the spirit of transparency and full disclosure I am sharing this, again, for the record.

The sad and disappointing part is when you'd expect people who had some interactions with the east have actually learned something about this mysterious religion called Islam. You'd expect that this interaction between the east and west have grew a tree of understanding and tolerance. But above all, mutual respect.

It's sad when people still don't get it, even after living among us for years and witnessing first hand how the majority are really just moderate people seeking to make a good life and a good future for their children. How this crazy Muslims are just like any moderate white, church going Christian having the same aspirations, and seeking the same joys of life.

For the people who are following this, trust me, this is just an isolated incident.

For the people who still don't get it, get this:
Disrespecting people's religion, is the fastest way to gain their hate. Don't care if the law allows you to spit in people's faces. It's just wrong to do so. We all know that.

If you sew the seeds of hate, don't come crying when people shout it back in your face. If you think you have strength and power today and no one can challenge you, then you have learned nothing from history.

Your Freedom stops where my freedom begins. How do we resolve this? We can at least be civilized and respect others. Especially those we really -still-after-all-these-years- don't understand!

Therefore, I'm not going to be part of this "everyone draws Muhammad", I will not promote it, and I will not allow it to show on my sites. I guess, that's well within MY freedom

Memories....

#1
Qwaider
Said
On: 5/21/2010 8:39:25 PM
SpamScore=[-44.42]

I just want to add that I am the first to be against all forms of violence, especially against civilians. I denounce all forms of violations against human rights and freedom of expression.

As Muslims, we have been cursed by a bunch of idiots that represent no one other than themselves. They represent hate and give excuses for all sort people to mock all of us.

You will find me to be the very first person to stand firmly against these backward ideals. Our modern calamity as a nation is to have these among us, and the worse yet, having all of us judged by their actions is a catastrophe that only idiots commit.

#2
Anas
Said
On: 5/21/2010 11:32:03 PM
SpamScore=[2]

Well said Qwaider.

#3
Omar
Said
On: 5/22/2010 10:36:46 AM
SpamScore=[-0.03]

A wise man said before; if you deny freedom from those you despise, you don't know what freedom means in the first place.

You seem to have messed up the whole concept in your head, my sincere and humble suggestion to you is not to relate whatever you do to freedom of speech, just call your aggregator what it is; Qwaider Planet, your rules, your selection, period. Why do you have to add all that ado? Your site has nothing to do with freedom of speech, you approve what you like, and disapprove what you don't like; why do you have to brand it with big labels? There's nothing wrong in what you do, it's your choice, but please, with all due respect, do not try to elaborate, there's no need to think or try to convince anyone with all that freedom speech!

You have certain rules on the contents of the blogs, awesome, that's the definition of a censored content, but it's fine, it's yours! You're being nothing but an Arab regime with all that freedom elaboration and speech you just gave.

#4
Qwaider
Said
On: 5/22/2010 6:48:07 PM
SpamScore=[-44.46]

Thank you Omar for being the Judge and the jury. In fact, I allow a lot more than what I like. Correction, not allow, tolerate. I don't interfere.
The only exception is when something offends, mocks people's religion and basically plants the seeds of hate. That I will not shut up and stand still about.
I established long ago, that this is not "my site, my rules". I established long ago that it's not only what I approve.

But what you messed completely is this, I do not "despise" anyone. To the contrary, I respect everyone. EVERYONE. However, I will not be "promoting" the hate laced message.

The reason freedom of speech comes to play is simple. People wave that every now and then to protest a foul. When in fact, it's mutual respect law that was violated.

QwaiderPlanet, is a family friendly place. It has always been like that, and it will continue like that. Consider it a PG rated movie. Now, it's not anti-freedom of speech to maintain that rating. That's what it is.

Read your comment Omar, you'll see how it's laden with insults. You can't be judgemental when you don't even know the whole story.

"Arab regime" !! Really LOL!

#5
jaraad
Said
On: 5/22/2010 10:45:13 PM
SpamScore=[0.42]

"Therefore, I'm not going to be part of this "everyone draws Muhammad", I will not promote it, and I will not allow it to show on my sites."

Thank you!
It is very brave and smart decision from you. I know some people will not like this because, according to this group of people, you are not open minded. Jazak Allah Kahir for taking this decision!

#6
Omar
Said
On: 5/23/2010 3:01:12 PM
SpamScore=[4.95]

The "despise" part was naturally a metaphor; the message is clear, deny freedom from those you don't like what they say, and you don't know what freedom is. I didn't mean that you actually despise anyone.

It's actually a point of view that religion is the cause of hatred in this world, not the other way around. Mocking religion is some people's way of mocking what in their belief causes hatred and destruction to humanity, yet again, you were the judge here and decided that this point of view shouldn't be expressed, that mocking Muhammad causes hatred, hence you denied them their right to say what they want on your site. So my friend, Draw Muhammad is in fact a mere point of view and very much lies under freedom of speech.

Bottom line is, you're Muslim, Draw Muhammad offends Islam, you got offended, you decided to take them off your site, yes, how awful of me to be judgmental!

Between you and yourself, if someone posted a sketch mocking the Jewish settlers' orthodox teachings in Palestine, would you demand to remove the posts? There is no such thing as partial freedom, so once again, stop justifying what you're doing, just call it what it is.

#7
Qwaider
Said
On: 5/23/2010 7:36:26 PM
SpamScore=[-44.48]

Once again you miss the whole point! I know your stance on religion. I got it, this is not "directly" related to it

I'm not apologizing for this, so don't get any ideas. I'm stating what my right is, against other people's rights.

Let's say I decided to mock your mother because she raised an idiot like you. In such a case, I wouldn't be violating any law because evidently your mother did raise and idiot and he's going around the Internet showing how poor of a job she did. Even though that is something freedom of speech would allow me (with you having absolutely nothing to say about it) I wouldn't say it. Because, of respect to your mother and to you as a human. I used a painful personal illustration to help you get to the point.

Now had I used such a way to mock you. Would you be happy with me? Would you allow it to exist? Would you promote it and publish it in every possible avenue that you have a say in?

I think not!

Now, if someone decided to disregard the entire Muslim nations feelings and insist (and stress on INSIST) on doing this. What I would do is disregard them if I have no control over their content (like Fox news). OR decide not to be part of it by refusing to promote hate.

Yes, this is hate speech in the flesh if you don't know what it is.

Now regarding removal of inappropriate material. Let me enlighten you on Qwaider Planet's policy which I have stated so many times. I will not allow hate speech from any side, offensive material towards any group, demographic, including families and children. I will publish what people publish, with no alterations or modifications. My "agreement" with the content is not necessary, in fact, I don't agree with a lot of what I promote, as long as it's not deemed "Offensive"

Omar,
I run a free service. I run it as professionally as I can. I have my name on it, not any of the other domains that I own because I'm proud to present something to the world carrying my family name.
This service is to promote Arabic content, coexistence, tolerance and freedoms. But most importantly to bridge the gap between east and west. And east and east sometimes, and as a byproduct, to network and keep the community connected.

I'd be damned if I use this gift to promote material that will offend people. If a participant is unable to adhere by these simple rules of community. Then, I find it my obligation to uphold them which is not my most favorite thing in the world.

I will not please everyone. I stopped trying to do this long ago.

#8
Omar
Said
On: 5/23/2010 10:49:27 PM
SpamScore=[0.46]

I'm going to try to say this one last time, and I'm going to try to say this as clear as possible:

YES! Mocking my mom, mocking my prophet, mocking my religion IS defined as freedom of speech, and, YES, to your surprise, I do allow people to say WHATEVER they want and I will keep allowing it, the right way to respond if you get offended is to actually RESPOND, or if you're faced with idiots then say what you got to say and leave. To reach out and shut those people because you have the power to is called censorship, it's called anything but freedom of speech.

For whoever's sake, try to come out of your brain bubble and actually believe that some people do really believe in freedom and they do not try to deny it from those who disagree with with no limits!

See, this is one of the times you're faced with an idiot...

#9
Qwaider
Said
On: 5/23/2010 11:24:23 PM
SpamScore=[-41.3]

i'll say it one more time. refusing to promote hate speech is not censorship

#11
za3tar
Said
On: 5/28/2010 3:28:34 PM
SpamScore=[1.22]

I went to the guy's blog and his reaction post was referring to some of the readership of QP as "murderous militant muslims". Rediculous!

#12
Qwaider
Said
On: 5/28/2010 5:26:18 PM
SpamScore=[-44.53]

To be completely honest, I can't really begin to describe my disappointment! After years of proximity to Arabs and Muslims he still felt like that. I don't know what this world is coming to

#13
Ayah
Said
On: 6/3/2010 5:55:35 AM
SpamScore=[1.5]

I was debating this topic with my friends few days ago, as I said there:
Freedom of speech is a human right, but in a proper way that harms no1!
Religions are not human made to be discussed, they can be explained to others and simply, if you don't believe just don't follow! But do not insult or offend, it's not freedom anymore!
We are not supposed to ignore that as it's questioning not only our prophet's integrity but every single person of us! He's our example and creating such fake facts about what he was is so unaccepted!
And I believe that I'd feel the same if it was offending any other religion, judging a whole sect because of some extremes shows nothing but shallowness. Shallowness is preferred to be ignored, but not in this case! It's creating catastrophic threats to the original image of Islam, a religion that works for peace!

We're working on adding a ninth goal to the millennium development goals, "Ensure Interfaith Collaboration for Peace"
Please sign the petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/missingmdg/
and spread the word!