It is with sadness that we note that during the recent terrorist outrages by Islamic-extremists in Paris, several writers and cartoonists at the satirical magazine ‘Charlie Hebdo’, policemen and women on duty, and even workers and customers in a Jewish food shop, were killed or seriously injured. We give our condolences and sympathy to the families and friends of the dead and injured.
More heartening however, was the subsequent outbreak of public mass demonstrations against these attacks as millions protested in defence of free speech and social unity. For, whatever the religious, political or personal offence which can sometimes be caused by free speech and the freedom of expression, nevertheless, it is in the interest of us all that they continue to exist. For they remain the best defence against religious and political extremism, totalitarianism and dictatorship, injustice and evil. We hope that, God willing (Inshallah), they will survive.
