It’s important to add new voices to the debates on all kinds of issues, In the vernacular of those who watch the blogsphere Madhab al Irfy is a bridge blogger, someone who links the great mass of community to those who comprise smaller, voiceless and sometimes misunderstood groups.
It’s in this light and that of Tim Dunlop’s recent addendum of the religious vilification laws to his post on a Bill of Rights……..
A point I don’t develop but that is worth discussing is that many of those who absolutely hate the anti-vilfication laws also hate the idea of a bill of rights that would protect free speech. It’s not entirely a contradiction but it does seem odd.
…..that I thought this post by Madhab al Irfy would be an interesting one to throw into the mix because it discusses Sheik Hilaly and the pastors of the Catch the Fire ministry in that context and from the perspective of someone within the Islamic community.
The Sheik was condemned. And rightly so. Yet many of his critics are today rushing to the defence of 2 pastors from the fringe “Catch The Fire Ministries” case argued before the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal. Reasons for decision in the case were given by VCAT Vice President, Judge Higgins, on 22 June 2005.
It’s worth a read, the importance of listening and bridging is needed more now than ever before.
Is there a link for that?
Well, of course, the Sheik wasn’t charged, was he?
Condemnation is different from censorship.
The first is free speech, the second is fascism.
Apologies, for that missed link earlier this morning. Blogging while rushing off to work for the man is obviously not a good idea.