Free speech

Published on 17/09/2012 00:00

I HAVE watched with interest your Letters pages for any response to Samina Ansari (Letters, 13 September), whose campaign “I speak for Myself” was launched on behalf of Muslim women. She says it is in response to negative perceptions around Islam and Muslim women.

Well she chose an unfortunate moment to stick her head above the parapet. Killings and burnings all over the Middle East and beyond because of Islamic negative reactions to a US film and Channel 4’s cancellation of a documentary on Islam because of death threats. Perhaps her energies should be directed closer to her spiritual home?

I am not a believer in any supernatural being. The only belief I have is that the sooner everyone comes to the conclusion that there is no “hereafter”, the sooner we will all get along together as human beings.

If an idea or belief is worthy, it will withstand critics without resorting to coercion and the whipping up of rage among thin-skinned, uneducated masses to cement hierarchical positions in that community. 

This country of ours is supposed to be renowned for its “Free Speech” ethic, but in recent years (since the Salman Rushdie affair) we have been cowed into giving that free speech over to only those who deny it to others.

You’ll notice that I have been careful not make any criticism of Ms Ansari’s religion, so I too have been frightened away from being free in speech, but not in mind …the thought police are not around are they?

STAN HOGARTH

Young Street, Strathaven, South Lanarkshire