The Big Question: How Free Is Speech?

[@iERAOrg]

'The Big Question: How Free Is Speech?' took place on Friday 13th February 2015 at Queen Mary University of London with a diverse panel of speakers including: • Dan Hodges (The Telegraph) • Hamza Tzortzis (iERA) • Professor Peter Cave (British Humanist Association) • Abdullah Al Andalusi (Muslim Debate Initiative) • Andre Walker (Breitbart, London) • Moazzam Begg (CAGE) • Yvonne Ridley (Chair)

[@iERAOrg]

iERA, as part of the 'Don't Hate, Debate!' campaign present: The Big Question: How Free Is Speech?

[@iERAOrg]

London. On Friday 13th February 2015, the Islamic Education and Research Academy (iERA) in partnership with advocacy group CAGE, held their inaugural ‘Don’t Hate, Debate!’ event entitled ‘The Big Question: How Free is Speech?’ Held at the state-of-the-art Blizard Building at Queen Mary University of London’s Whitechapel campus, the discussion was well attended with a diverse audience of more than 300 people, which included academics, students, medical professionals, journalists, politicians, and community leaders of all faiths and none. Inevitably, there were some heated discussions between the panellists, who differed in their views on the objectives and application of free speech in light of the unfortunate Charlie Hebdo incident that took place last month. Other themes explored included the media satirising religion and the war on terror. Most importantly, these topics and opinions which many on the panel and in the audience found distasteful were discussed in a civilised, polite and compassionate manner. There were no incidents of any speaker or member of the audience being warned by the chair for their behaviour or language. ‘The Big Question: How Free is Speech?’ event fulfilled the main objective of the ‘Don’t Hate, Debate!’ campaign, and that is to facilitate a platform where people of faith and none can have a nuanced discussion about the concept of freedom of speech, and the inflammatory caricatures of Prophet Muhammad (upon whom be peace). iERA and CAGE would like to thank Yvonne Ridley, Dan Hodges, Andre Walker, Professor Peter Cave, Moazzam Begg, Abdullah Al Andalusi, and Hamza Tzortzis for participating in this unique cross panel discussion. Following yesterday’s shootings at a free speech event outside a Copenhagen synagogue, iERA feel that it is imperative that people from all walks of life support the ‘Don’t Hate, Debate!’ campaign, in a coordinated effort to create a more cohesive and tolerant society. As such, iERA and CAGE would like to announce that the next ‘The Big Question’ event under the ‘Don’t Hate, Debate!’ campaign will be held in Birmingham over the coming months, and will be rolled out to other major towns and cities, thereafter to bring people from all over the UK together in solidarity and positive dialogue. For more information on the ‘Don’t Hate, Debate!’ campaign or ‘The Big Question: How Free is Speech?’ event, please visit www.iera.org/campaigns/dont-hate-debate or contact IERA on: IERA Media and Press Office Suite 321, Crown House Business Centre, North Circular Road, London, NW10 7PN Email: [e-mail]

[@kaitsith3081]

Freedom of speech must contain the freedom to offend. Without the freedom to offend, nothing can be said.

[@mrwolf31]

Kait Sith Well said.

[@ProudEve1]

+Kait Sith if you offend someone you will get in trouble.... therefor, there is No 'freedom' to offend. That's if you believe in respect and you want others to treat you with respect.

[@shamsheerg7519]

+Roukaya Omm-judy what a ridiculous comment, the freedom of speech means the freedom to offend ideas and positions... we have libel and slander laws to combat such offensive statements. we must challenge, satirize and offend issues, positions and ideas that are backward and that go against the march of progress.

[@LlyneM-rf3gd]

The march of progress is free speech. You want to stiffel it. You have the right to iignore things that may offend you. Many things that people say offend me, but I just ignore them or counter with my own free speech. It is that simple. If you really want to ban offensive, inciteful language, then start with the quran and haddiths and imams preeching violence.

[@labyrinth420]

if i offend your family member? just verbal?

[@3litepker]

was definitely not long enough for 6 panelists

[@IftikharA]

Freedom of speech should be taken in the context of who has control of the means of dissemination information (5 families control 80 % of the newspapers). In one of the places where I teach I am not allowed to express what I think because it may upset students and the place loses money. It is business. Freedom of speech is not a British value nor it is exclusively British. In fact some British people influenced by what was happening outside Britain in lauding dissidents fought for the freedom of speech In late 19th century. The very same British state has prevented other peoples from having the Freedom of speech. We can discuss the other aspects afterwards. I would also consider invading other countries, supporting theocracies, money laundering, slavery, having an unelected head of state... British values? What happened to the right to freedom of speech, or is that only for those who agree with Theresa May? " I may not like what you say, but I defend to the death, your right to say it". Many many brave people have fought to keep the right to freedom of speech. People like Hitler tried, in vain, to stop it. IA www.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk

[@aishax01]

I'm late but the interruptions made by Andre, that other dude and the old dude are too much! Like just when the brothers were beginning to speak they interrupt...

[@faridasiddique8614]

I think I agree with Andrew in almost everything he said. This is because in the time of the prophet he was also treated badly in fact he was tortured and we know that the Sahabas didn't react to it in a similar way that the Muslims from today's society did, or should I say that the prophet pbhm didn't allow it to. The only way we should have responded to it should be with our positive character and the teaching of the prophet if we really love him. So what I mean is that we should respond by following his teaching rather than over reacting, as Andrew said we have bigger problems to take hold of rather than this. And the biggest problem we have is to unite with each other first, and teach others about the religion through our positive character rather than showing a violent negative side of us to the world. I too believe that those who went to the rites should hold their head down in shame. Because I am sure if the prophet pbum was here he would allow this to happen amongst the mislim

[@omarkthr3831]

freedom of speech has a limit "anti-semitism" and "homophobia"

[@kevinmas19]

Go back to middle east

[@omarkthr3831]

Spider Maher i am in the middle east

[@ThankAllahAlways]

Spider Maher We love middle east

[@omarkthr3831]

ThankAllahAlways he was beign racist

[@ThankAllahAlways]

عمر الكثيري so you too have love for middle east

[@JezzaODoyleRules]

Good Debate, I keep thinking, imagine if one of the detractors said "I could have a picture of Muhammad in my bag", then he shows it. Would the audience want freedom of speech, or freedom of violence?

[@ammargabermasoud4335]

Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you. I am your brother from Misr. I want a serious person to teach him the Arabic language, intonation, and he also teaches me the English language.

[@bridge1444]

Why not take responsibility and say: Yes! Making an image of the Prophet is offending.

[@CyndeLooWho]

Everything is offensive to someone. Oh well.

[@bridge1444]

@@CyndeLooWho What if someone started insulting your mother and said the same thing? What would you think?

[@shamsheerg7519]

It is about the freedom for someone, anyone, to express themselves on any view, but also, it is about the "listener" the "audience" of that person expressing themselves to hear what they have to say. If we restrict free speech who shall make the restrictions? Hamza the Philanderer Tzostis? Should Peter Cave decide for the rest of the world what is right and what is offensive? Should Muzam Begg, someone who would wish death on gays and infidels, tell us what is good and bad? Please explain IERA

[@abdullahx4908]

Hes just asking to ban cartoons of the Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam), not freedom of speech. Theres still a BILLION other things to talk about. Don’t be so dramatic. Also there is zero proof or foundation for them in reality. If you’re going to make satire about someone, you should have it rooted in reality, not lies

[@dark7element]

@@abdullahx4908 If a specific religion can demand that ONE type of speech is banned, then they can demand that any type of speech will be banned. Once a principle such as free speech is broken once because one interest group demands it, it's no longer a principle. It sends a message that this backwards, primitive belief system has the power to force people who don't subscribe to it to follow its laws. I find the notion of being forced to respect the name or image of Muhammed to be very offensive, because I don't think he deserves any respect. I think he was a horrible tyrant, a murderous bandit leader who engaged in sex slavery, destroyed the religious idols of other people, and other disgusting crimes. I think that he was either insane or a liar, and that the superstitious nonsense that he and his followers forced upon the Middle East at sword-point has done incalculable harm over the centuries and prevented hundreds of millions of people from progressing into the modern world. His name and ideology is used as a tool to deprive individuals of their human rights every day. I live in a free society and I will not stand idly by as Muslims impose their religious laws on me, because if they can tell me in my own country that I can't draw a cartoon, they can decide that anything is "offensive" and thus it has to be banned for everyone. Ads for alcohol or pork? "Offensive, ban it for everyone!" Advertisements depicting women in swimsuits, or gay men showing affection? "This is offensive to us, ban it!". If free societies give in on the cartoon issue, Muslims will keep pushing and pushing and taking more and more of their liberties away.

[@ashrafulhaqove2718]

We would love a more organised debate. What's wrong with giving floor to a a debater for a limited time ? people are just running into one another !

[@sdiri980]

20:07

[@calderon551]

the limits of free speech is where Muslims get discriminated.

[@nathanter7622]

43:05 War on "terror"?? are you fycking kidding me? "war on terror" by US was wa "war on islam"?? SMH. if it was "war on islam", then US would've bombed Saudi Arabia itself which is housekeeping the holy sites in mecca. LOL even Kurdish muslims fought alongside US forces in Iraq. It wasn't a war on islam. I would have wanted it to be a war on islam, unfortunately, US only did a war on terror as they called it. They didn't attack Saudi, despite the fact that the 9/11 bombers were Saudis and not Iraqis.

[@LlyneM-rf3gd]

Islam has been terrorizing long before there even was a USA. If it is all the fault of America, then why are muslims continually attacking in Asia, Africa and Europe?

[@rebecca2353]

+llyne..yeah that's why there hasn't been a single Muslim country attacking the west in like more than 100 years. But nice try.

[@worldgonemad5866]

Rebecca Muslims are attacking the west.

[@EpikMunk]

@@worldgonemad5866 name 1 "Muslim" country attacking the west.

[@isadeniz6473]

keske türkçe altyazılı olsa

[@UrukEngineer]

Isn't it ironic that on your video about Free Speech you block comments? You also say that Islam allows free speech yet how do you justify the treatment of Raif Badawi in Saudi Arabia - sentenced to 1000 lashes for apostasy. Can you see from our perspective that the evidence suggests that you deny the problems of the current practice of Islam and seem to be disingenuous about your faith?

[@Sr68720]

UrukEngineer well saudi arabia are really bad then, It's got nothing to do with islam on the basis of text, and plus that's not sharia it's a monarchy that has a hog pog of secular liberal islam and communism all mixed together, its a disaster.

[@UrukEngineer]

Sr68720 I am not sure how you can claim that Saudi Arabia is communist. I really do not see any redistribution of wealth and public control over the means of production. Nevertheless are you seriously saying that Islam tolerates free speech? Are you saying that the killings in the name of Islam at Charlie Hebdo had NOTHING to do with Islam - that the killers were lying when they said that it did?

[@Sr68720]

UrukEngineer i said " hog pog of secular, liberal, islam and communism all mixed together." The problem you have is the yard stcik, the quran is the yardstick, if a muslim drinks alcohol it's wrong why? because the quran says so, if a muslim kills it's wrong? The quran says so. You influenced by the media and misread my comment. MAYBE you should go read the rule book/yardstick (quran) before you judge.

[@UrukEngineer]

Sr68720 You and I both know that it is not so much the Qur'an but the Hadiths that are the problem. They too are "yardsticks". The VAST majority of Muslims are decent people but there is a surprisingly large number who agree with punishing anyone who THEY FEEL impugns their belief. They hold this view as a result of what they read in their yardsticks. For example what do the yardsticks say should happen to apostates?

[@LlyneM-rf3gd]

+Sr68720 Saudi Arabia-"secular and liberal?" Your head is screwed on backwards.

[@pacopaco1943]

😂😂😂 Oh my god the other Boris johnson the nice one is herehhhhh

[@ulfajrinanda4772]

Subhanallah

[@jcolossus6971]

I like the format of debates where they put a person on the panel that agrees to a point with the others on his side, even debating among them self, the topic so big I think it needs this and makes the sides more honested as they might get pulled up by their own side. The muslim gent trying to tie the war on terrorism to muslims intolerance with drawing their god was so fucking weak.

[@-AEON-]

Well I'm no expert on these matters, but saying it was week doesn't refute in anyway. And do you think that continuous attacks on Muslims, in the form of demonizing, and so on, will not affect some Muslims, specially the ones which are not well versed in their religion, to perform such crimes? I'm not defending them, I just think this rise of Islamophobia is one of the reasons, which in turn could be linked to the war on terror issue. Again, not an expert or anything, just want to understand you, that's all.

[@libanmohamed1327]

All these narrow minded atheist who actually believe the non sense told to them #atheistlogic those of you who believe in consequencilism are fools and ignorant of the truth when judgment comes we will pray for your souls Inshallah may Allah protect you from the hell fire asalama alakum

[@libanmohamed1327]

asalamu allakum

[@Tenzek]

+Liban Mohamed When the concept of religious morality is backed by the rewards offered and threats made by a deity, how different is the approach from consequentialism? You even include the threats here in your comment. If you're obeying for your chance at paradise or to avoid time in hell, you're acting based on what you believe are the personal consequences of your actions. While I'd agree that pure consequentialism is not something that can be rationally defended, I don't know who you're saying follows such an ideology. It's certainly not a part of atheism, if that is what you imply. Not believing in a god doesn't force one to consequentialism, and it frees one from a false morality based on obedience and fear of consequences. Moral actions must be of your own free will.

[@brendanburgess7949]

The Pakistani Blasphemy Law was borrowed from Britain????!!!!???? WHAT

[@monkeytennis8861]

@@student-iskmuhammadzeeshan2630 no, it isn't

[@Mirror_Holder]

37:00 what a legend

[@belkairsaiefeddine4944]

ترجمو هذه مناظرة

[@Mirror_Holder]

countries like Britain, USA, Australia and France are the last to speak about morals and freedom.

[@michaelcxvv]

And don't delete my comment! If you do you and I conclude that you don't support free speech.

[@Silver_lining1]

cant wait to watchhhh

[@Ali-sr3bm]

Andre Walker , Are you drunk?

[@Mrhaoable]

Claiming Jesus is not god but a prophet seems to be equally or more upsetting to Christians as well , since for them he is god.

[@Mrhaoable]

Llyne M That was exactly my point .

[@mr.a8303]

@@Mrhaoable - Jesus says he's not good and distincts himself from God. Mark 10:17,18 - As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good-except God alone. .’" - Jesus can do nothing by himself John 5:30 - By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. - Jesus lacks knowledge Mark 13:32 - “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. - Jesus has a God! John 20:17 - Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" And Most Importantly! - Jesus says that the father is the only true God and that he is his messenger. John 17:1,3 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

[@saimtanweer5720]

So they can also say hey your prophet wasn't true prophet

[@abdullahx4908]

We can prove it

[@JayDillon-mm6yv]

If you say whatever you want to say, you are speaking freely. I see nothing wrong with that at all. I will always oppose Islamofascism, and will always point out the danger of the Koran being preached to program children from a very early age to destroy people of all other religions. This is evil, destructive doctrine that must be rejected completely by all thinking conscientious people of all civilized nations. The civilized nations of the Earth will never succumb to the ignorance and vile hatred that is Islamofascism. You can forget that whole "caliphate" idea. It's moronic.

[@isadeniz6473]

ليته مترجم بلسان التركي

[@ehsan1947]

Quite a poor debate

[@whootoo1117]

In the context of god, the "dreadful insults of Steven Fry" and Mohammed to be insulted the sameway, isn't the right analogy. Why because Fry insulted or commented about god and god is the only one god that both muslims, jews and christians believe and the muslims as other religions and the muslims got in their fair share of that critique or insult and they didn't react different and that's about god. But when it's about Mohammed, he was a human and believed as only a honorable gentleman with a mission of god. So to criticize Mohammed is okey, if it's with all intentions but if it's objective, with knowledge of the subject, for example an oriantinalist a man, who knows alot or little about islam or eastern history and it must be relevant to proof, philosophical questions, religious and secular fair points as jesus or moses would be criticised not dragatory timed bombs to create hatred among communities and to polarize one certain minority(community). So comparing Mohammed to god isn't the right analogy and though every muslims loves Mohammed, Jesus and even God, but i don't see to kill someone because of cartoon, whether it's mohammed or whoever, but always timing, context, social problems, injustice and many other issues are covered, because of these irrational protests most of the time.

[@abdullahx4908]

Whats irrational about the protests?

[@moves2008]

Well people the end is nigh. So this world is going to be a really bad place. Accept that. But hold on to your religion.

[@thezeitgeist3997]

Quite a few Muslim extremists in this debate.

[@libanmohamed1327]

#atheist logic you narrow minded ignorant hypocritical fool

[@thezeitgeist3997]

Liban Mohamed I hope these extremists don't represent all of Islam.

[@LlyneM-rf3gd]

No, islam only understands brute force which we had to use during The Crusades.

[@thezeitgeist3997]

Llyne M And stoning adulterers.

[@LlyneM-rf3gd]

Yes they should have stoned muhammad to death when he raped his sex slaves while he already had several wives.

[@MrChrisHermes]

to disagree means you lack empathy

[@MrChrisHermes]

Llyne M true, islam is truly an infantilizing force in human affairs

[@abdullahx4908]

Isnt that what you’re doing

[@samosa112]

Why are there no women on panel, there's too much macho ness on panel

[@greendragonreprised6885]

Dear Islamists, If all you can do while you're in this country is moan about it can I just let you know that the ports are not locked. You can leave any time you like and if you cannot integrate into the most welcoming society on the planet please do so. If you choose to stay you will be welcomed but leave behind you the crazy baggage of Islam that has held you back until now.

[@Silver_lining1]

yvonne looks great mashallah