Since September 11, 2012, there have been widespread protests and violence against U.S. and some other diplomatic missions across the Muslim world.  The proximate cause of the violence was the release of a video trailer for a film seen by many – including the U.S. government – as being offensive.  This film has spurred protests across the Middle East.  Protesters have breached diplomatic compounds in several countries including Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, and Yemen.  In Benghazi, Libya, four U.S. personnel were killed in the violence, including the U.S. Ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens.

The video appears to have a deeply cynical purpose: to denigrate a great religion and to provoke rage.  We absolutely reject its content and message. There is no justification, none at all, for responding to this video with violence. As we have condemned the video, the United States of America condemns the violence that has resulted, in the strongest terms. And we greatly appreciate that many Muslims in the United States and around the world have spoken out on this issue. Violence has no place in religion and is not the way to honor religion or religious faith. Islam, like other religions, respects the fundamental dignity of human beings, and it is a violation of that fundamental dignity to wage attacks on innocents. 

The United States of America has always been committed to religious freedom  and tolerance since the beginning of the nation. It is a fundamental belief so strong in the American people that it is enshrined in the U.S.  Constitution’s Bill of Rights.  We are home to people of all religions, many of whom came to my country seeking the right to exercise their own religion, including millions of Muslims. President Obama in remarks September 12 at the White House said that in the United States there is a mosque in every state in the nation, and more than 1,200 mosques within the borders of the United States, illustrating the strong presence of the Islamic faith.

We know that it is hard for some people to understand why the United States cannot or does not just prevent these kinds of reprehensible videos from ever seeing the light of day. In today''''s interconnected world, this is frankly impossible, but even if it were possible, the United States of America has a long tradition of free expression which is also enshrined in my country’s Constitution and our law, and we do not stop individual citizens from expressing their views no matter how distasteful they may be. 

While there are different views around the world about the outer limits of free speech and free expression, there should be no debate about the simple proposition that violence in response to speech is not acceptable.  We all - whether we are leaders in government, leaders in civil society or religious leaders - must draw the line at violence.  And any responsible leader should be standing up now and drawing that line. Responsible leaders must promote tolerance and understand that we cannot impose our will, our ideology, our religion, or our desires on anyone else.

Troy Damian Fitrell