Out of the Iranian Frying Pan into the Danish Fire

From the desk of Filip van Laenen on Sat, 2005-10-29 13:19

Two elements in the ongoing conflict between Denmark and the Muslim world that have not been mentioned in earlier posts here, are worth mentioning.

Firstly, there is the reaction of Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who refused to meet eleven ambassadors from Muslim countries, including Turkey, Bosnia, Iran, Indonesia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and a number of other Arab countries, who wanted to complain about a series of cartoons published in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten. “This is a matter of principle. I will not meet with them because it is so crystal clear what principles Danish democracy is built upon that there is no reason to do so,” Rasmussen said. He added that individuals who felt offended by the tone of the public debate should bring their grievances to the courts. “As prime minister, I have no power whatsoever to limit the press – nor do I want such power.”

The Danish PM’s explicit refusal to censor the press must have sounded bizarre to some of the ambassadors, such as the one from Iran. Not everyone in Denmark, however, agreed with Rasmussen. Left-wing opposition parties said the PM should have met the ambassadors “in order to improve mutual understanding.” Nevertheless, the Social-Democrats, the Radicals and the Socialist People’s Party applauded Rasmussen’s refusal to limit the freedom of the press and his suggestion that those who feel offended should bring the case to court.

Secondly, it should be said that the cartoons are not the only reason why the eleven ambassadors wrote to the Danish PM. In their protest letter they also mentioned the case of Radio Holger and the declarations of Brian Mikkelsen and Louise Frevert.

Radio Holger, a private radio in Copenhagen, was temporarily closed down by the Danish authorities last summer when after the London bombings its owner, Kaj Wilhelmsen, had called for “exterminating” extremist Muslims in Europe, by expelling or even killing them.

Brian Mikkelsen, the Danish Minister of Culture and a member of the Conservative People’s Party that forms a coalition with Mr. Rasmussen’s Liberal Party, called for a new culture war. He told a party conference of the Conservatives that “a parallel society is developing in our country in which minorities cultivate their medieval values and undemocratic beliefs.” Mikkelsen said that this was unacceptable and it had to be fought by confronting the Muslims with Danish culture and values.

Louise Frevert, a member of Parliament for the anti-immigration Danish People’s Party, wrote on her website that “Muslims apparently think they are entitled to rape Danish women and beat up Danish citizens.” Reacting to instances of violent rapes by immigrants she added that “as the law forbids us to kill our enemies we have no other choice but to put these criminals in jail.” However, as the Danish prisons are full, Frevert suggested to put them in Russian jails and pay the Russian authorities 3 to 4 euros per day per prisoner.

The ambassadors claim that all these cases prove that Muslims have good reasons to be worried in Denmark today. Indeed, while in Belgium the minister of Culture subsidises Muslims who depict a naked-breasted Our Lady, his Danish colleague wants to wage a “kulturkamp” against them by confronting them with the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen. The Iranian ambassador may be justifiably concerned that immigrants from his country are ending up out of the Iranian frying pan into the Danish fire.

An Insulted Sunni Muslim

Submitted by Zubair (not verified) on Fri, 2006-02-03 10:29.

As a professional, educated Muslim born and brought up in the West, I express my utter disgust at the Danish newspaper (and other newspapers) for inciting hatred by their cartoons. Such cartoons are reminicent of cartoons of Jews that were depicted in newspapers before World War-II. Masked in the name of "freedom of speech", it was a 'legal' means to insult and discriminate against a people and their religion. Such cartoons directly attack the religion and reflect either (1) a poor understanding of the cartoonist/Editor in differentiating between Muslim fanatics and moderates, or (2) a well understood and deliberate provokation and attack with foreknowledge of the potential impact and consequences of such actions on Muslims. In the former instance, such cartoons lend support to the now defunct post-Cold War Hungtingtonian theory of a "clash of civilizations", while the latter instance makes the cartoonist/Editor guilty of blatant discrimination and bigotry. Neither should be acceptable to established newspapers of repute, and to people -- Muslim and non-Muslim -- who have more than an infinitesimal level of knowledge.

Danish Cartoons

Submitted by Civility (not verified) on Thu, 2006-02-02 21:29.

Thanks to the Egyptian reporter who sahred his view on the Danish cartoon issue. Yes to freedom of speech,but first yes to civility. We are in much pain in our world. Religion, again, has become the
epicenter of earth shaking events. Every human, religion, country must step forward and join hands in an effort for world peace. We must be open to dialogue. We must have restraint in our behavior to the extent that we further an agenda of joint discussions and communication. PEACE TO THE WORLD. PEACE TO EVERY HUMAN ON EARTH. RESTRAINT IS THE DIRECTION WE MUST TAKE. ONE FOR ALL AND ALL FOR ONE.

Fear of Jihad

Submitted by Dean (not verified) on Thu, 2006-02-02 21:49.

Don't worry about retribution from these cowardly Arabs, we don't. Come to the States if you want to hide from these fools we aren't scared of them.

Love from all of us in the States.

A partner in cowardice

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 2006-02-03 10:35.

Must I remind you that your US government provides support to cowardly dicatatorial Arab regimes. How do you feel about your government being a partner in cowardice?

Danish Cartoons

Submitted by Civility (not verified) on Thu, 2006-02-02 21:29.

The last passage of this

Submitted by Classic (not verified) on Thu, 2006-01-26 17:48.

The last passage of this article really took my breath away... and not in the nice way!

"justifiably concerned that immigrants from his country are ending up out of the Iranian frying pan into the Danish fire."

What? Is the author seriously suggesting that "immigrants" (coming from Iran we usually call them fugitives!) are worse off in Denmark than in Iran because they risk seeing satirical depictions of the prophet Muhammed?! If this is really the case, you are, in my opinion, in serious need of a shot of real life...

We have a long tradition of being able to speak our minds and handle conflicts through the freedom of speach in my country, and we certainly don´t need the good will of belgians, or anyone else for that matter, to keep this tradition alive and be proud of it. Your reaction to this incident truly saddens me and, unfortunately, makes me wonder if staying in the European Community is really something to keep striving for!

saddens???!!!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 2006-01-30 10:26.

it's really unbelievable the dannish reaction to this incident, it is well known to everyone - and to those who don't know, including yourself, should at least research or study the nature of Islam and Muslims- that islam, and muslims, respect and learnt to love other religions and prophets; so how would you expect any muslim to accept such rediculous comments - AND CARTOONS! - on his own prophet (peace be upon him), on someone so sacred and loved to the extent of dying for. If you really understand the meaning of religion and faith you would know that it is completely over the mere humanitarian principles named by leadless hollow bodies as - democracy, press freedom and rights!