Many Muslim critics to the free speech debate that suddenly became the topic of the moment following the Charlie Hebdo shootings used the example of Holocaust denial arguments or sentiments to counter the criticism of what was often seen as an absence of tolerance for free speech in the Islamic world.
Now, there is a contest in Iran to show
The generally jovial nature of a lighthearted contest contrasts sharply with the subject matter of a tragic historical fact. The Holocaust was real. Making light of it, much less denying it, as far as I'm concerned, is as close to the evil nature of it as you can get.
I can understand the frustration of Israeli policies by many Muslims. Israel has not been helpful in trying to establish peace in the Middle East, and the continued development of what us Palestinian land has been, and should continue to be, condemned around the world.
However, that is no excuse for hating the Jewish people, or trying to diminish a great tragedy in history that they were victims of. Doing so right on the heels of yet another senseless tragedy, this one by Islamic extremists who felt that they were doing this in the name of their religion, makes this "contest" not just stupid, or in poor taste, but particularly egregious. It also adds fuel to the fire that the reaction in the Muslim world to such horrific actions by Islamic extremists appears at worst overly accepting at times and, at best, not critical enough of such horrific crimes.
And when a contest is held to try and come up with the best cartoons in the theme of Holocaust denial, it certainly at least appears to swing too closely to the minefield of anti-Semitism, if not crossing deep into it, frankly. It certainly cannot be said to be an objective or thoughtful response to the tragedy of the Charlie Hebdo shootings in Paris, or the aftermath. I understand that they are trying to point out western hypocrisy on freedom of expression, and they might even have some valid points. But there are better ways to do things than that.
The concern that much of the rest of the world has with nations flirting with a strict version of Islamic rule, including those that have been or are close to Sharia law, or rule under the Taliban, or the Islamic State, or another version, such as what exists in Iran, is that of intolerance towards anyone not like them. That is particularly true when it comes to Jews (and not just Israelis), and so cartoons targeting outsiders in general, and Jews in particular, is exactly what Muslims in such countries should steer clear from.
And making light or questioning the Holocaust, which is a historical fact, is not something that anyone should be doing, let alone lightheartedly.
It was a stupid and senseless tragedy, the Charlie Hebdo killings. One would think that it would behoove the credibility of a nation that is trying to no longer be the political pariah of the world, and trying to become legitimate and acquire an honest and abundant source of energy (if the regime is to be believed) to not seemingly side with the killers, or lend them the lead legitimacy or credibility. They believe that they killed all of those people in the name of their God, and of the greatness of their religion. They didn't. They killed those people because they themselves were intolerant, hateful people, cold-blooded murderers. How does it look to the rest of the world when Iranians engage in act so soon after such a senseless tragedy that itself shows a level of disrespect towards victims from a much larger historical tragedy, and in a spirit of hatred all too similar to that which drove made men and extremists, be they Nazis or Islamic fundamentalists, to kill in the first place?
The Hypocrisy of Iran's Holocaust Cartoon Contest The regime's response to Charlie Hebdo was intended to highlight Western hypocrisy regarding free speech. Instead, it casts a spotlight on the growing problem of anti-Semitism.
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/01/the-hypocrisy-of-irans-holocaust-cartoon-contest/385058/
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