My two complaints to Comedy Central (on the South Park censorship affair)

I have decided to email US television network Comedy Central twice: the first, to complain about the censorship of episode 201 of South Park, withdrawn after threats have been made against the lives of its writers, Trey Parker and Matt Stone. The second email, when the episode will have aired, will be to complain about said episode, for disregarding the religious sensitivities of many viewers, both in the US and around the world.
It’s simple really. Parker and Stone are allowed to mock. And I am allowed to object. Both rights are equally important, and I choose to stand for both.

The entire affair, I must say, is infuriating. Most of all because two idiots in their mothers’ basement - in New York City, apparently - have decided to issue a threat against two cartoonists. While the entire affair was barely noticeable on most Muslims’ radar, it somehow got treated as a mega news story by some B-class news networks, and a flurry of reactions ensued, most anti-Muslim. It is a desolate sight.

The reason: a cartoon episode which pokes fun at Muslims’ sensitivity of visual depictions of Prophet Mohammad - by hiding him inside a bear suit.

Admit it, you are laughing. Even if you’re Muslim.

(it ultimately turns out that it wasn’t Mohammad in the bear suit, but Santa Claus. Sorry for the spoiler, but it’s important for the argument).

‘Intent’ is an important part of this analysis. It is ludicrous to compare Parker and Stone to a Geert Wilder, an Ayaan Hirsi Ali, or as the threat issued by those wankers did, to a Theo Van Gogh; renowned Muslim-haters, deliberately attempting to cause maximum damage, to instigate anti-Muslim sentiments particularly in Western Europe and North America - to make life more difficult for many people of Muslim faith. It is important to pursue every legal recourse to prevent such people from achieving their intent.

Everyone who watches South Park, on the other hand, is familiar with its brand of ultra irreverent humour based on current events - from Mel Gibson to Jesus to Tiger Woods, all were drawn in less than gratifying figures. (And punched in the eye, too).
But South Park is honest and straightshooting. As a good comedian does, it finds humour in our everyday.

And I can understand how Muslims’ sensitivity regarding visual depictions of Prophet Mohammad can be a matter of puzzlement to the writers - and a potentially immense pool of jokes.

Joking is often the best medium of communication. If we, as Muslims, wish to get the message across that this is a matter we care about, then perhaps a South Park joke is the best medium to deliver the message - we will all laugh, get the point, and move on.

But most importantly, what do we have to fear from a harmless joke? Save for the people who seem to think that the foundations of Islam will be shaken by Eric Cartman and his fellows - and those I pity - there is really no serious harm that can come from a South Park joke. And if Christians can handle this, surely we can deal with a bear suit...

And when the episode is finally aired, I will email Comedy Central again - to protest against the depiction of the Prophet in a cartoon. Having defended Parker and Stone’s right, I will also defend my own: the right to stand for my belief, to object on what upsets me and goes against my belief. I am entitled to believe that prophet Mohammad shouldn’t be depicted; and to demand that my preference and choice in that matter be respected. Not imposed, and surely not by cowardly threats; but respected in a spirit of human camaraderie - in which we don’t necessarily need to agree with one another’s beliefs to respect them.