The Offensive Depictions of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in Western Media and its Consequences

  • Aijaz Ahmad Khan PhD Scholar Mewar University, Rajasthan, India
Keywords: Portraits of Prophets (AS), Drawings, Calligraphy, Media, Image Building

Abstract

Abstract Views: 343

The controversies and provocations generated by the West and its media over depictions of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) are not only related to recent caricatures or cartoons but are also about the display of historical artwork. Recently, many Western organisations, newspapers, magazines, social networks and even websites organised seminars and events like the cartoon "Everybody Draw Mohammed Day!" to hurt and provoke the Muslim world. Muslims believe that visual depictions of all the Prophets should be prohibited and are particularly averse to visual representations of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The key concern is that the use of images can encourage idolatry. Islam does not allow the depictions of Prophet Muhammad (SAW); to do so goes against the faith of the Muslims and hurts their emotions. This article will focus on providing an analysis of the distorted images, fabricated views, and overgeneralizations which typically characterize Western representation of the Prophet (SAW) of Islam with reference to some particular incidents, chiefly the Charlie Hebdo controversy, Danish newspaper, controversial movie Innocence of Muslims, animated films and social networks. This analysis comprises of works by both Western and Muslim thinkers; it also includes biased and moderate/ fair views depicted in the Western media.

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References

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Published
2019-04-10
How to Cite
Aijaz Ahmad Khan. 2019. “The Offensive Depictions of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in Western Media and Its Consequences”. Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization 4 (1), 45-61. https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/JITC/article/view/49.
Section
Articles