Viewpoint: 'Innocence of Muslim' film was made to provoke

Rev Nadim Nassar

Most Muslims around the world have thought that Innocence of Muslims, a cheap, insignificant and ridiculous film/video, was made to hurt Islam, writes Rev Nadim Nassar. But I do not believe for a moment that that is the case! The truth is even worse: I believe that this film was made specifically to provoke Muslims into a reaction which could be seen by the world as backward, violent and irrational. It succeeded, provoking Muslims to the extent that they, themselves, have hurt Islam by the way they have reacted.

Innocent people (and I am including those who were incited to protest) have already died as a result of the emotional and chaotic series of eruptions of violence in many countries. These people are precious to us and of course to God Himself. Neither God nor the Prophet would agree with such irresponsible actions by their followers. It is essential that we mature in our faith and realise that the more we ban things, the more they become attractive, popular and exciting. The Church has gone through similar experiences such as the film The Last Temptation of Christ or the more recent The Da Vinci Code. By banning books and films, people of faith gave these works extra publicity far beyond anything they could have dreamed of. To read more of Rev Nadeem's blog, go to: www.awareness-foundation.com/nadim-blog

Rev Nadim Nassar is an Anglican Priest from Syria who has been living in London since 1997. He is also Director of the Awareness Foundation an educational, ecumenical and international charity, founded in 2003 in response to the disturbing increase in religious conflict and violence around the world. Its Patron is the Archbishop of Canterbury.

For more information, see: http://awareness-foundation.com