Statement: “A defense of free speech by Muslim Americans”

A joint statement has been released by a number of North American Muslim artists, bloggers, activists, scholars and leaders speaking out against misguided attempts by Muslims to censor, intimidate and/or harass people critical of Islam. Sheila Musaji, the tireless editor of The American Muslim, came up with the excellent idea and spearheaded it.

I'm not listed on the version posted on alt.muslim, but I was a signatory, as well. 

It runs as follows:

A DEFENSE OF FREE SPEECH BY AMERICAN AND CANADIAN MUSLIMS

We, the undersigned, unconditionally condemn any intimidation or threats
of violence directed against any individual or group exercising the
rights of freedom of religion and speech; even when that speech may be
perceived as hurtful or reprehensible.

We are concerned and saddened by the recent wave of vitriolic
anti-Muslim and anti-Islamic sentiment that is being expressed across
our nation.

We are even more concerned and saddened by threats that have been made
against individual writers, cartoonists, and others by a minority of
Muslims. We see these as a greater offense against Islam than any
cartoon, Qur’an burning, or other speech could ever be deemed.

We affirm the right of free speech for Molly Norris, Matt Stone, Trey Parker, and all others including ourselves.

As Muslims, we must set an example of justice, patience, tolerance, respect, and forgiveness.

The Qur’an enjoins Muslims to:
* bear witness to Islam through our good example (2:143);
* restrain anger and pardon people (3:133-134 and 24:22);
* remain patient in adversity (3186);
* stand firmly for justice (4:135);
* not let the hatred of others swerve us from justice (5:8);
* respect the sanctity of life (5:32);
* turn away from those who mock Islam (6:68 and 28:55);
* hold to forgiveness, command what is right, and turn away from the ignorant (7:199);
* restrain ourselves from rash responses (16:125-128);
* pass by worthless talk with dignity (25:72); and
* repel evil with what is better (41:34).

Islam calls for vigorous condemnation of both hateful speech and hateful
acts, but always within the boundaries of the law. It is of the utmost
importance that we react, not out of reflexive emotion, but with dignity
and intelligence, in accordance with both our religious precepts and
the laws of our country.

We uphold the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Canadian
Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Both protect freedom of religion and
speech, because both protections are fundamental to defending minorities
from the whims of the majority.

We therefore call on all Muslims in the United States, Canada and abroad
to refrain from violence. We should see the challenges we face today
as an opportunity to sideline the voices of hate—not reward them with
further attention—by engaging our communities in constructive dialogue
about the true principles of Islam, and the true principles of
democracy, both of which stress the importance of freedom of religion
and tolerance.