re: "Denmark on heightened alert after Koran burnings" (BP, August 4, 2023)
Dear editor,
Some pieces of inked paper bound together in a book called the Koran have been peacefully burned in Sweden and Denmark under the protection of the laws of those countries. That book is a potent symbol to some, so the deliberate desecration is understandably upsetting, but like those who suffer with mature restraint the burning of their national flag, the $100 bill, the Bible, a revered poster of Barbie or any other cultural emblem, the followers of the Koran now have a chance to prove the true worth of the faith that each paper copy of the Koran symbolizes. By responding to the rude outrage with peaceful, reasoned rebuttal rather than bullying violence or threats thereof, they will show that their religion upholds good morals. They can demonstrate that, being firmly based on reason and objective reality, it need not lash out in desperate fear at those who question its verities.
Denmark and Sweden have responded correctly to the extremely offensive but nonetheless peaceful expression of opinion that is the burning of the Koran. If we fail to insist that the law not only allow expressions of speech that we find utterly repellent but actually protect the peaceful exercise of such deeply offensive acts, then we do not in fact respect the fundamental right of free speech, which does not magically stop at my or your most revered or sacred things. Free speech really does mean that others have the right to peacefully express ideas that we, and perhaps a large majority of our society, find offensive in the extreme. Anything less debases claims of free speech to a worthless platitude allowing only already accepted ideas. Islam should take this opportunity to show a moral maturity that accepts that others will think differently about what it deems of supreme importance.
Felix Qui
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The above letter to the editor is the text as submitted by Felix Qui to the Bangkok Post.
The text as edited was published in PostBag on August 9, 2023, under the title "Free speech in full" at https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/postbag/2626029/tip-for-mfp
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