US Response to Tajikistan’s Condemnation of Muhammad Cartoons
The United States ambassador to Tajikistan is worried about rage surrounding the Danish cartoons of Muhammad getting out of control the way they are in Afghanistan. In order to head off violent protests, Ambassador Richard Hoagland wrote the following “Open Letter to the Tajik People.”
Basically, he condemns the drawing, praises free speech, and points out the hypocrisy of printing anti-Semitic cartoons in the Arab press, and then getting angry about cartoons criticizing Islam (here is a discussion of the satirical cartoon in the Arab press).
Dushanbe, 07.02.2006 — Cartoons depicting Prophet Mohammad as a terrorist have generated passionate controversy and debate. It is important to communicate clearly the views of the United States on this critical issue.
The United States views these cartoons as offensive and morally repugnant. We also recognize that in a free society, people have the right to express views even when they are offensive and wrong. Those who disagree have the right to condemn such views, but the condemnations should be peaceful.
The United States urges constructive dialogue about this difficult issue. We also urge those who are criticizing these cartoons to speak out against all forms of hate speech, including cartoons and articles throughout the Arab world, which frequently espouse anti-Semitic or anti-Christian views. Dialogue and respect for different points of view is critical, especially as we engage in discussions about deeply held and precious religious convictions.
While the reaction in Central Asia to the cartoons has generally been fairly moderate, the Tajik government has taken a stern stance toward the cartoons, going so far to suggest that not even free speech is reason enough to publish such slander.
“Tajikistan, where an absolute majority of the population are Muslims, stands for the respect of sacred things, condemns this abhorrent deed, and believes that no goals - either political or ideological - can justify the insulting of people’s holy feelings and human values,” Sattarov said.
