Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Bizarre tattoo diversity in Green Lantern

In DC's latest upcoming publicity stunt for diversity's sake, they're coming up with a GL member who may or may not be a Muslim (and still no Armenian characters anywhere in sight), with a tattoo of the Arabic word for courage on his right arm and is carrying a handgun:
While the introduction of an Arab character might be welcomed as bringing more diversity, the portrayal of the new Green Lantern on the cover of Green Lantern #0 is generating quite a bit of controversy. If the character is an Arab, many fans are pointing out that permanent tattoos are forbidden in the Islam religion. However, others have also pointed out that the tattoo could be non-permanent, and thus permitted. It’s also possible the new Green Lantern could be an Arab but not Muslim.
Well if he's not a Muslim like that Nightrunner character in Batman Inc, and is just simply of Arabic descent, then there's really no worries there. But that handgun? Just what is that supposed to be for?

In any case, they're right about what the Religion of Peace decrees: as told in Bukhari Vol.3 #299 in the Hadith, tattoos are forbidden, and it can include even temporary ones like what singer Erykah Badu got herself (H/T: Jihad Watch). That could explain why even if the tattoo on the new GL were a sci-fi application, it's still causing controversy nevertheless.

But even if this new character doesn't adhere to Islam, the sad part is, there's no chance DC would ever allow any negative critiques of it. And the pistol is simply ludicrous.

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