I am NOT Charlie Hebdo

To start off, I am all for free speech and expression. I am even running a campaign to push for the repeal of the sedition act. But no, I am NOT Charlie Hebdo.

What's in it for free speech and expression? To walk about naked on the streets, to watch porn in public, to ridicule another religion, race, or even class of society as you like.... in the name of freedom of speech & expression.

Can I be allowed to say anything just because I feel like it?

Can I just walk around the mall and call anyone stupid if I don't like their face?

Can I walk into a church and scream "Jesus is naked on the cross"?

Can I walk into a temple and say "you guys are really unconcerned about the smoke from the joss sticks"?

Nope. That's not freedom of speech & expression. It's a misuse of fundamental liberty.

Freedom of speech & expression can never, and should never be absolute.

There has always been a fine line between freedom of speech & expression and respect. It is sick and insensible to say that I should be allowed draw a cartoon ridiculing the faiths of others in the name of freedom of speech & expression.

This very unfortunate incident has unraveled two ugly truths:

1. The constant demonising of Islam in the West.

2. The extremism of certain religious groups.

But what's even more unfortunate, is how many people overlooked the earlier one.

With the constant taunting against the Quran & Prophet Muhammad, was Charlie Hebdo expecting the 1.6bil Muslim population to just sit down and let it be 'entertainment'?

Google the Charlie Hebdo cartoon dressed in a militant outfit and holding an AK47. It reads: "Still no terrorist attacks in France - Wait, we have until the end of January to send our best wishes."

That is not freedom of speech and expression. That is provocation.

To every action, there would be a reaction. And was this something Charlie Hebdo foreseen? I leave that to your wise judgment.

Now I am not saying that the killings are justified. It is not, and shall never be justified. Two wrongs don't make one right. An eye for an eye makes the world go crazier.

So what's the problem here?

What I see is a hypocritical and self-righteous Western culture and media, ridiculing the Islamic world in the name of freedom of speech and expression.

Think about it.

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**Adrian Lim Chee En is the founder of Mahasiswa Ganyang

**The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Astro AWANI.