Muslims must remain calm
By Riaz Ahmed, President of the Muslim Mosque of Woodland

As you know that Denmark newspaper had published carbons of last Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in September 2005 followed by almost all the European countries press in the recent past. This appears to has been done with the sole purpose to ridicule the last Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), to abuse our religion Islam, to play with the sentiments of Muslims and to create excitement amongst the Muslim community all over the world. It could be called as "systematic incitement to violence." As every one knows that the whole Muslim world rose up to protest against the publication of such blasphemous caricatures in European newspapers.

The Muslim community all over the world has stopped buying goods made in Denmark and all Muslim countries have banned the import of Danish commodities. We the Muslims of Yolo County, which roughly calculates to 19 percent of the county population followed suit.

You know that Denmark government refused to apologize saying it has no control over its independent media. It is worth mentioning that the same newspaper did not publish the cartoons on Jesus Christ which were sent by the same so-called cartoonist/artist saying that it will hurt the sentiments of the Christians. It make us wonder if the same newspaper can avoid publication of cartoon of Jesus Christ why they published the cartoons of Muhammad (PBUH).

This is appropriate to point out that we the Muslims do believe in Adam, Eve, Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus Christ. We Muslims also believe in all four Holy Books which are: Turait, Zaboor, Anjeel (Bible), and the Quran.

Islam does not teach in ridiculing the faith of others, violence, killing or terrorism. Islam is a religion of peace. If ever some Muslim commits a wrong act, it is to be condemned but not all of the Muslims of the world do evil. The miscreants are in every religion but no one has the right to condemn the faith and the whole religious community based the acts of a few. Everyone knows what Timothy McVeigh did in America. This was act of an individual and as such all Christians can not be blamed for the evil acts of one or two persons.

Our feelings are that freedom of expression must not go against the need to protect religious sensitivities and values of other religions and cultures. One should take respect to other religions which is an important element in the co-existence of people and nations of the world what Jesus Christ, Muhammad (PBUH) and all other prophets preached.

I appeal to all Muslims of the world particularly residing in America to remain peaceful and avoid any violence. I also urge the Danish government to render unconditional apology on the publication of cartoons and ensure not to repeat such acts in future to avoid loss to property, business, human lives and humanity at large.

Woodland Mosque and Islamic Center
1023 North Street
Woodland, CA 95695
(530) 666-4706
www.woodlandmosque.net