Murder wrong but cartoons offensive

THE murder of Samuel Paty is unacceptable and is not something that has come from the books and teachings of Islam.

Similarly, I don’t see it as acceptable to show such offensive Charlie Hebdo caricatures of Prophet Muhammad to students either. I cannot understand the merits of using such cartoons, which do not have any literary or academic value, to teach a lesson on “free speech”.

The cartoons, besides being grossly inflammatory and upsetting to Muslims, promote hate, discrimination, xenophobia and colonialism.

The blatant hypocrisy of some global leaders in the application of democratic values such as freedom of expression is unashamedly clear. When Turkish President Erdogan questioned President Macron’s mental health after his speech on the Muslim world, the French government took offence and recalled their ambassador to Turkey.

Where is the concept of “free speech”?

The teacher, as a facilitator of knowledge and interpreter and designer of learning programmes and materials, should have known better.

A discussion and reflection on the topic without showing such despicable images, and the use of a neutral picture might have gone well.

Sensitive and challenging topics always come up in classrooms.

The teacher needs to read the class, the curriculum, the constitution and universal human values and proceed with the lesson.

A teacher’s task is to provide a comfortable and safe place for quality learning and teaching to take place.

MOHAMED SAEED | Pietermaritzburg