Press Release
Facebook's defence of drawings insulting Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) once again shows the rottenness of western values

London, UK, May 20, 2010 - Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain strongly condemns promotion of insults on the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) on the Facebook website, designating a ‘Draw Mohammed Day'. The provocative action invites people to upload insulting drawings depicting the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

In a statement, the California-based company defended the provocative group claiming ‘freedom of expression' when it said "we strongly believe that Facebook users have the freedom to express their opinions, and we don't typically take down content, groups or pages that speak out against countries, religions, political entities, or ideas."

Taji Mustafa, media representative of Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain said: "We utterly condemn this provocative action and the Facebook management's pathetic and hypocritical defence of it. Western societies and companies commonly practice censorship when it comes to issues of race, gender or sexual orientation."

"Yet, the decision to defend the promotion of these insults to the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has once again illustrated there is to be no restraint on insulting, offending or breeding resentment when it comes to Islam - especially in this era of Western governments global War on Islam."

"Inviting drawings insulting the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) is not merely grossly offensive. It is a shallow and disgusting portrayal of someone who is dearest to us. It is the denigration of the best of men. And when Western Europe and North America celebrate, as a value they call enlightened, the freedom to insult abuse and denigrate, it is no wonder that their societies are characterised by systemic disrespect and abusive behaviour."

"Having bred societies which feel comfortable abusing Allah, His Prophets and the religious beliefs that many - not just Muslims - hold sacred, where family breakdown, child abuse, and pornography are rife, western governments and media are trying to impose these values on the rest of the world."

"Moreover, they do this with the complicity of governments across the Muslim world who aid the United States and its allies in imposing these values in our societies and denigrating Islamic values - by supporting their war on Islam, remaining silent when they insult Islam like this, and introduce their political and education systems in our lands."

"The insults of the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam), the attacks on the Shariah, and occupation of Muslim lands will no doubt continue until the Muslim world removes the impotent puppet rulers and establishes an Islamic government, the Khilafah "Caliphate", which will stand up against these atrocities against Muslims and Islam."

"Despite the fact that Muslims in the west are intimidated by politicians, media and police to remain silent, Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain will speak out, raise awareness and put across our views in the most effective, vocal and persistent of ways regarding such insults and the correct response of Muslims. Speaking out against arrogance and ignorance - and countering false propaganda with the truth - in defence of our Prophet is an obligation upon all Muslims. Moreover, Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain will continue to expose the neglect of the regimes in Muslim countries - who are slaves to western masters and who take little or no effective action in defending the values of Islam."

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Hizb ut Tahrir Britain

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