Is it really necessary to include images of the Prophet Muhammad when teaching about blasphemy?

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We should all be troubled by the use of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad at Batley Grammar School last week, and should reflect on how we respond to the matter. Are we indifferent to an action that knowingly offends the nearly 2 billion Muslims with which we share the planet? Or are we ignorant of the sensitivities of a quarter of the world’s population? 

Equally troubling is community secretary Robert Jenrick’s comments on BBC News that “it must be right that a teacher can appropriately show images of the Prophet Muhammad in a free society”. As many are aware, the Prophet Muhammad is beloved by Muslims, his life and teachings deeply enrich their lives, and pictorial representations of him are forbidden within the faith. It can never be “appropriate” to show his image.  

Cartoon depictions are considered to be particularly disparaging and demeaning, and inevitably provoke a strong reaction from Muslims. No right-thinking person, Muslim or otherwise, believes that intimidation and violence have any place in this issue, but, as mindful citizens, we should recognise that certain matters require careful handling and special consideration.   

This is not an issue of censorship or free speech, it is one of consideration towards the sensitivities of others. In a globalised world, in which the UK is determined to be a key player, it is incumbent upon us to be respectful to the beliefs of other cultures and religious groups, even if we do not understand or agree with them.   

The bottom line is that it is not necessary to include images of the Prophet Muhammad when teaching the topic of blasphemy – discussion would suffice. It is therefore unsurprising that showing cartoons of the Prophet, in the UK or elsewhere, is perceived by Muslims to be a deliberate provocation. 

The comments by Robert Jenrick, which appears to give carte blanche for teachers to show images of the Prophet Muhammad in lessons, will likely cause further agitation and provocation in the Muslim community, harm community cohesion and give fuel to right-wing groups.  

Carolyn Edwards

Leeds

All my life I have campaigned for anti-oppressive practice, but I am deeply troubled by the power that is being given to the protesters outside of Batley Grammar School.

Unlike colour, gender, sexual orientation and disability, faith is a choice, and sadly most faiths have a dogmatic position of “it is our way or the highway”, which is not acceptable in our tolerant culture. I believe it is incumbent on our education system to teach our young people these tolerant values of our society and to consider alternatives, thus giving them the ability to question. I wholeheartedly support the teacher who is becoming the victim of an intolerant witch hunt and fear the route we will be going down if he is not backed by the authorities.

Ian Marsh

Address supplied

The cartoons ridiculing Prophet Muhammad are interminably repugnant. Schools, colleges and universities are supposed to remain fortifications of knowledge, information exchange, intellectual curiosity and inquisitiveness, social cohesion and inclusivity and racial and religious diversity. Such cartoons do not promote such noble principles. On the contrary, they sow the seeds of religious animosities, hatred and intolerance.

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob

London

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