Western Media and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Presentation: Response From the Muslim World

Abstract

The controversies and provocations generated by the West and its media over depictions
of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are not only related to recent caricatures or cartoons
but are also about the display of historical artwork. Recently, many Western
organisations, newspapers, magazines, social networks and even websites organised
seminars and events like the cartoon “Everybody Draw Mohammed Day!” to hurt and
provoke the Muslim world. Muslims believe that visual depictions of all the Prophets
should be prohibited and are particularly averse to visual representations of Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH). The key concern is that the use of images can encourage idolatry.
Islam does not allow the depictions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH); to do so goes
against the faith of the Muslims and hurts their emotions. This article will focus on
western media war against Muslims and analysis the distorted images, fabricated views,
and overgeneralizations which typically characterize Western representation of the
Prophet (PBUH) of Islam with reference to some particular incidents, chiefly the Charlie
Hebdo controversy, Danish newspaper, controversial movie Innocence of Muslims,
animated films and social networks. This analysis comprises of works by both Western
and Muslim thinkers; it also includes biased and moderate/ fair views depicted in the
Western media.