The Jewel Of Medina hysteria - Here we go again.

As a child, I remember watching one of my favourite superhero cartoons. A hideous monster with immense powers was unleashed on the innocent citizens of a made-up city in super hero world. One by one the superheroes were beaten by the monster and with each attempt, as the super heroes failed, the monster appeared to get stronger they realised their failing - each time the super heroes struck at the Monster, it was drawing on their strength and getting more powerful.

I have been inundated with emails about the recent release of the polemical, not to say highly distasteful, Jewel of Medina. My main concern relating to this issue is that someone out there is going to do something crazy. We know that four people have already been arrested in London over an alleged attack on the publisher – I am praying there will be not further incidents.
Why do Muslims fall for it every time? Why do we always get duped by “let’s see what we can do to wind up Muslims and get a story from a random hot-head?”

First it was global upheaval, following the publication of cartoons in the Danish newspaper, Jyllands-Posten. More than 100 people died in the ensuing protests. As you may recall, London had its own angry protests, images of Muslims beamed all over the world calling for violence, whilst covering their faces, the very images in the psyche of non –muslins when videos of innocent captives are killed on camera at the hands of violent extremists. Those Muslims who attended may have felt they did something for the sake of Allah. From a simplistic point of view, I take your point. However, when one examines the impact it plays on the political arena, it was exactly what our enemies wanted to happen. If I was the Caliph (you never know!), I would probably have been tempted to lash you for your political naivety. We played right into their hands. The forces that work against us relished those moments and furthered their demonisation case against us as an “extreme, violent and alien community living in our midst.” I can just imagine them, “Fools” they cackle, whilst watching us dig our own graves. The prophet once said: “A Muslim is never bitten from the same hole twice.” Not only do we get bitten the second time, but actually out-stretch our hand.

Let me stop you in your tracks before you say “fear Allah brother, the hadith says we should x , y and z”. This is the type of simplistic reasoning in political Islam is the thorn in the side of the Muslims, with ignorant zealots representing us in the public space. For example, one extraordinary and horrific example of following divine rules without applying common sense occurred in 2002 when fire broke out at a girls' school in Mecca. Saudi religious police were ordered that those trying to escape were properly attired in headscarves and black abayas, i.e. covered. Eyewitness accounts told of girls being forced back into the burning building to retrieve their head-coverings. Several who went back died in the blaze - the price of enforcing this rigid outlook or principles. “But we must follow Quran and Sunnah, you cry,” yes we do, there is no need to state the obvious here. Taking into account the whole picture is not in any shape or form not following the Quran and Sunnah.

The best thing we can do is hit them where it hurts. “Don’t give them free publicity!” If you want this monster to die, ignore it. It might be the best weapon we have. The greatest irony is that no doubt more copies will be sold due to this Muslim backlash.

I’m angered by these attacks against our beloved Messenger as much as any Muslim but not to the extent of being prepared to put a smile on the faces of our critics by giving them exactly what they want from us – a reaction. For me these slurs are pure ad hominem, an indication that these polemicists have to resort to playing dirty as they can’t take us on honorably, through argument and reason.

No doubt I will be branded a "Moderate" by some and that too would be an ad hominem.

Adam Deen