In the wake of the polarizing Charlie Hebdo attacks, students and community members have reacted differently to the details surrounding the incident.
The attacks, instigated by Muslim militants, were a reaction to political cartoons published by the French magazine Charlie Hebdo, which depicted the Prophet Muhammad.
Thasin Sardar, the outreach coordinator for community relations for The Islamic Society of Greater Lansing, said many people misinterpret these acts of terrorism as Muslim acts.
“Terrorism has no religion,” Sardar said. “The media has unfairly portrayed the entire faith group. The media should call terrorists what they are, and make no connection with a specific faith.
“We are very worried about the repercussions of this because the media unfortunately has been irresponsible for the actions of few vigilantes,” Sardar added.
For some students, drawing the line between free speech and racism is a tough one.
“I don’t believe that anyone should censor their art to make others feel better. However, being offensive and playing on negative stereotypes is too much for me personally,” apparel and textile design senior Marissa Hendricks said.
“Charlie Hedbo was a satire magazine that really pushed the envelope. Some of the cartoons that they published were out of line and racist. Even though the magazine came out and said that they are making fun of the Islamic extremist and not Muslims, you really couldn’t tell as a reader,” she said.
Hendricks said she knows only a small percent of those who are Muslim are extremist, but many people falsely believe the Muslim faith and terrorism go hand in hand.
Even beyond students, the events surrounding Charlie Hebdo affect alumni as well.
“The Paris events did not directly affect me but they did push me to ensure I am a positive influence on those around me,” alumna Dua Aldasouqi said in an email. “They remind me that evil exists and can manifest in many forms and we must make sure we are a positive force and cause for change.”
Echoing what others said, Aldasouqi agreed media coverage of the attacks have not been accurate in the portrayal of Muslims.
“The media response is equally disappointing but not surprising as this has been the case for over a decade now,” she said. “The NAACP bombing occurred on U.S. soil during the same time, but it has barely made headlines. The Muslim policeman, Ahmed Merabet, who died defending Charlie Hebdo’s free speech rights only made his way to the news after social media took control of the situation.”
Aldasouqi said Muslims should follow Muhammad, and not extremist teachings.
“Muhammad has never killed anyone, and the Quran has no punishment for blasphemy and apostasy,” Sardar said. “The Prophet Muhammad practices peace, harmony and building bridges — the real Islam values.”
For Aldasouqi, Charlie Hebdo crossed the line of what she would consider an appropriate use of free speech.
“I believe the cartoons were in poor taste considering the very charged political situation in France including a lot of anti-Muslim sentiment,” she said. “I find them offensive in the same way that I would find anti-American cartoons offensive or cartoons insulting my parents or myself. I also equally believe that violence is not the solution.”
