http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/a-portrait-of-muhammad-as-a-young-man/Content?oid=15810957 Comments On: A Portrait of Muhammad as a Young Man by Paul Constant en-us Copyright 2013 The Stranger. All rights reserved. This RSS file is offered to individuals, The Stranger readers, and non-commercial organizations only. Any commercial websites wishing to use this RSS file, please contact The Stranger. webmaster@thestranger.com (The Stranger Webmaster) Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:00:01 -0700 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:30:00 -0700 Foundation http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss
The issue against depicting Muhammad as an image, from a theological point of view, comes from prohibition against idolatry - with images being the percursor of an idol. Muslim cultures are against visual depiction of any of their prophets, including Jesus. This has been my understanding of the issue, coming from an Islamic subsumed culture. (I would consider myself an atheist, but identify culturally as a Muslim).

Another point of disagreement Paul, imagery from early period of Muhammad's life portrays him as extremely vulnerable. This was the 'persecution phase' where he was harassed by everyone from local kids to neighbors. Both vulnerability and humility are important aspects of his character that feature extensively in his hagiographies.

Lesley Hazleton is great and writes with great nuance and I wish her work reached more audiences, especially more Muslims. I can't wait to dig into this work.




Posted by subaltern]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 18:31:30 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Annie Mouse]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:34:37 -0800 The Stranger
@1 - please, go ask the FBI how much of a threat those 'Christian zealots' have become in this country.
Posted by johnjjeeves]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 11:49:58 -0800 The Stranger Why isn't writing about Muhammad likewise considered to be offensive?

I dunno, let's ask Salman Rushdie.

Seriously, did you think about this for even half a second?
Posted by Doctor Memory]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 11:07:59 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Former Lurker]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 11:05:56 -0800 The Stranger
A bit of a false equivalency, at the least. An overly sensitive treatment for the Muslim fanatical element and unwarranted target practice on the Christian right at the worst.
Posted by Cletus]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 07:31:34 -0800 The Stranger