Re: Jihad Against Danish Newspaper
Muslims expect Danish apology
A few weeks ago, the entire Western world was up in arms over Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's remarks in which he raised some questions about the Holocaust.
Most Western countries, including Denmark, denounced the man for commenting on an issue that is increasingly becoming more sacred than religions. Even some Arab countries joined the wave of condemnation, out of concern that his comments may increase the Western-Islamic divide and inflame the civilisation clash that emerged after the September 11, 2001, attacks. Muslims are sensitive to others' beliefs. They respect other religions. And they expect others to do the same.
What the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten did by publishing 12 cartoons defaming the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) is atrocious and cannot be justified. And more appalling is its refusal, and the refusal of the Danish government, to apologise to the more than one billion Muslims who felt deeply offended and abused by the insulting caricatures.
Muslim ambassadors in Copenhagen asked to see the Danish Prime Minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, to discuss the issue, but he refused to meet them, arguing that Denmark "respects freedom of speech and freedom of the press". However, we would question that policy when the same Western governments disregard the very same principle to, for example, ban the Lebanese satellite channel Al Manar for allegedly being anti-Israel. It is obvious the Danish concept of freedom is a one-way street. It is only embraced and protected when it insults Muslims and their beliefs.
The Danish government should apologise, but most importantly, it should question the right-wing newspaper's intentions. The move might well have been intended to stir anti-Muslim sentiments. That is certainly not in favour of Denmark and its interests in the region. Its dairy products alone account for around $1 billion in this region. These interests could be easily jeopardised if both the newspaper and the government do not apologise for the horrendous mishap and ensure it will not be repeated.
http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/06/01/29/10014826.html
And if you ask me an apology is the best thing because the whole issue has only help divide people instead of bringing people together.
