More and More Moderate Muslims Speak Out in Denmark

From the desk of Hjörtur J. Guðmundsson on Mon, 2006-02-13 13:16

Dozens of Danish Muslims are joining the network of moderate Muslims, the Demokratiske Muslimer (Democratic Muslims). About 700 Muslims have already become DM members and 2,500 Danes have expressed their will to support the network. The initiative has caused anger among the Danish imams and their leader, Ahmad Abu Laban, who have referred to the moderates as “rats.” The imams feel that they are beginning to lose their control over part of the Muslim population.

Moderates such as Kamran Tahmasebi say they have had enough of fanatic Islamism and its intimidation of the Muslim immigrants in Denmark. “It is an irony that I am today living in a European democratic state and have to fight the same religious fanatics that I fled from in Iran many years ago,” Mr Tahmasebi says. He came to Denmark as a refugee in 1989. Today he works as a social consultant and is very grateful for the life Denmark has made it possible for him to have. He says he no longer wants to keep a low profile to avoid attracting the attention of the imams. The cartoon affair was an incentive for him to stand up and warn against the Islamist imams in Denmark, whom he says are damaging the integration process with their misleading criticism of Danish values and norms.

Mr Tahmasebi is one of the people involved in the newly established network of moderate Muslims in Denmark led by Naser Khader, a member of the Danish Parliament. He says he is well aware of the risk he is taking by siding with Mr Khader, who has for a long time been living under police protection. But Mr Tahmasebi feels it is his duty to take part in this debate. “Naser Khader has carried this responsibility for too long. I share his beliefs and now I want to stand up and say so. Apart from that, as a parent I feel a responsibility to fight, so that my children will not have to live under Islamist dogmas. They shall be able to live free in this country.” Mr Tahmasebi adds that he believes the imams are one of the biggest problems Denmark is facing today.

The Danish Prime Minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, will be meeting the leaders of the moderate Muslims today (February 13) to discuss the cartoon affair. The Danish government has suspended all dialogue and cooperation with the Danish imams on the integration process. Some of the strongest protests against the twelve Muhammad cartoons [see them here, halfway down the page] came from imams who are members of the government’s official integration think tank.

“We want the newspaper [Jyllands-Posten, which published the cartoons last September] to promise that this will never happen again, or this will never stop,” says imam Ahmad Akkari, the spokesman for the radical Muslim organizations in Denmark which led the protest against the cartoons. However, the deliberate lies which imams, such as Abu Laban and Akkari, used to incite worldwide hatred against Denmark have served as a wake-up call for the Danish government.

“I believe it has become obvious that the imams are not the people we should be listening to if we want integration in Denmark to work,” Rikke Hvilshøj, the Danish Integration Minister, has said. The BBC reports that fifteen Muslim countries, from Algeria to Pakistan, are now boycotting Danish products. So far, nearly 200 jobs have been lost in Denmark and more jobs could be endangered if the boycotts continue.

In neighbouring Norway, Vebjørn Selbekk, the editor of the Christian weekly Magazinet which first published the twelve Muhammad cartoons in his country, apologized for offending Muslims by publishing the cartoons. Mr Selbekk and his family received numerous death threats. He said he regretted publishing the cartoons because of all the strain this has put on himself and others and because the consequences were much more than he had expected. He stressed, however, that he could not apologize for using his freedom of expression by publishing the cartoons. Carsten Juste, the editor of Jyllands-Posten, made the same remark when he apologized for offending Muslims.

Last Friday the government of Sweden, another Scandinavian neighbour of Denmark, shut down the website of the newspaper SD-Kuriren because it had posted Muhammad cartoons. Richard Jomshof, the editor of the paper, which is published by the Swedish far-right party the Swedish Democrats, told the BBC: “This is illegal. They can’t do this just because we are a small magazine.” However, the Swedish Foreign Minister, Laila Freivalds, described the publication as a provocation by “a small group of extremists.” A similar view was taken earlier by the Norwegian government when it criticized Magazinet and Mr Selbekk. The question is what the Swedish government would do if the cartoons are published in one or more Swedish newspapers, as has already happened in other European countries.

Fanatic imams are not only a problem in Denmark. In Britain Hamid Ali, a leading imam of a mosque in West Yorkshire, hailed last summer’s bombing of the London subway as a “good” action. The imam was secretly taped when he was talking to an undercover reporter from The Sunday Times. His words contrast with the public statements of condemnation by Muslim community leaders – including Mr Ali – after the attacks, which killed 56 people. In other words, the Danish imams are not the only imams in Europe who are speaking with two tongues. Indeed, there are indications that the main culprits for the integration problems are the imams, who tend to be much more extremist than many of the ordinary Muslims.

while interesting ... it's hard to ignore the dark stain(s)

Submitted by Kalidren on Mon, 2006-02-20 19:56.

emeda

I think that the one of the biggest problems people within the Islamic faith are facing today comes from within. There are to many bad elements also associated with Islam and it is hard for the rest of the world to look past all that.

These people and their teachers who spread terror and insane intolerance must be dealt with before you can open our eyes to the misconceptions many of us have.

Re: Know more about

Submitted by A New Believer on Sun, 2006-02-19 23:54.

Re: Know more about islam...
yes please know more...

know islam lies
know islam hates
know islam cheats
know islam threatens
know islam pouts
know islam is spoiled
know islam had no morals
know islam murders
know islam conceals
know islam plots
know islam is know islam discriminates
know islam recruits terror
know islam is banal
know islam steals
know islam launders money
know islam is terror
know islam steals children
know islam brings pain
know islam is a drug
know islam is a false
religion
know mohammed was NOT
a prophet

Know all this and still say NO!

Odin be Praised! Baldur Save Us!

To AUSA

Submitted by A New Believer on Tue, 2006-02-14 14:44.

Exactly! Good Morning have some pastries!

Odin be Praised! Baldur Save Us!

The true Mahomet

Submitted by Charlemagne on Tue, 2006-02-14 09:29.

Mahomet determined that all who would not acknowledge his "prophet" status or pay tribute were to be put to death. Muslims are fully aware of the distinction between apostate christians who are willing to accord the status of "prophet" to Mahomet for the sake of peace or lack of offence, and those true Christians who will not suffer such a designation. Muslim apostates are always regarded as amongst the latter so no surprise that they are targeted with violence and death threats. It is the same with newspapers who print cartoons of Mahomet: they inherently declare their unwillingness to recognize the "prophet" status of Mahomet so are targeted in the same way. On the other hand, apostate media outlets like the BBC always accord the "prophet" status to Mahomet so as not to cause offence to Muslims giving ample evidence to Muslims and Christians alike that the they are committed apostates from Christianity, which doubtless pleases the Muslims.

Given the ecumenism and "multi-faith"ism of decadent Western countries, I guess it must be a surprise to some Muslims that there are actually people in the West who are prepared to refuse the "prophet" designation to Mahomet. But if the spread of Islam is to be resisted at all, the resistance must start by denying the "prophet" designation to Mahomet.

The true Mahomet

Submitted by mtk2006 on Tue, 2006-02-14 13:53.

"the resistance must start by denying the "prophet" designation to Mahomet."

______________________________________________________

I officially declare myself an apostate by stating that I deny "prophet" status to Mahomet.

More importantly, I also officially declare that I am God's vehicle and instrument in bringing God's love and white light into this world each and every day. I have been asking God to use me as this vehicle every day since 1986.

I am neither Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, etc.

My religion is spirituality.

My allegiance is to only one entity, GOD.

My bible, torah or quran is GOD's LOVE and WHITE LIGHT.

Bottom Line

Submitted by mtk2006 on Tue, 2006-02-14 06:48.

DEATH THREATS AND VIOLENT PROTESTS ORIGINATING FROM HAVING

ONE’S RELIGION OR PROPHET DEPICTED AS BEING VIOLENT IS NOT

HYPOCRISY BUT A CONFIRMATION OF AN ABSOLUTE TRUTH IN IT’S

PUREST FORM.

*************

Tabari IX:69) “Killing disbelievers is a small matter to us.”

How Rasmussen helped moderate Muslims

Submitted by Vilmos Soti on Tue, 2006-02-14 06:05.

----- Excerpt starts -----

----- Excerpt ends -----

How is it possible that a moderate Muslim says something like this one? Lemme provide another excerpt from another article, "Muslim apostates cast out and at risk from faith and family", found at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1470584,00.html
address: (I reordered the original for better text flowing)

----- Excerpt starts -----

Born into Islam, he converted eight years ago to Christianity, and his wife, also from Pakistan, followed suit.

...

THE first brick was thrown through the sitting
room window at one in the morning, waking Nissar Hussein, his wife and
five children with a terrifying start. The second brick went through
his car window.

...

Mr Hussein told The Times: “It’s been
absolutely appalling. This is England — where I was born and raised.
You would never imagine Christians would suffer in such a way.”

...

The police have not charged anyone, but told him
to leave the area. “We feel completely isolated, utterly helpless. I
have been utterly failed by the authorities. If it was white racists
attacking an Asian guy, there would be an absolute outcry,” he said.
“They are trying to ethnically cleanse me out of my home. I feel I have
to make a stand as an Asian Christian.”

...

Mr Hussein, a 39-year-old hospital nurse in
Bradford, is one of a growing number of former Muslims in Britain who
face not just being shunned by family and community, but attacked,
kidnapped, and in some cases killed. There is even a secret underground
network to support and protect those who leave Islam. One estimate
suggests that as many as 15 per cent of Muslims in Western societies
have lost their faith, which would mean that in Britain there are about
200,000 apostates.

----- Excerpt ends -----

How it is possible that there are an estimated 200,000 people who left Islam but doesn't dare to speak out? And how is it possible that some do dare to speak out in Denmark?

I think I know the reason (which was amply proved in the above cited article). In Britain (and the rest of Europe except Denmark), the authorities and the police don't help the moderate muslims or those who lost their faith. Instead, the authorities try to appease the extremists. The moderate muslims feel isolated, betrayed, and they know that the authorities won't stand up for them. "leave the area" is especially brutal.

However, in Tiny Denmark, the Prime Minister decided to stand up to the extremist imams. The moderate muslims see this, and they know (I hope that they won't be betrayed) that they can count on the state to help them in their plight. They dared to open their mouths. Mr. Rasmussen will be a hero among the moderate muslims.

Shame on the spineless European (sans Rasmussen) politicians. They betray those poor souls who are terrorized by the worst elements on the Earth. Those people must feel doubly betrayed. First, they are disgusted where their religion is heading. Next, they are disgusted that the authorities doesn't help them to get off the train. Rasmussen stood up against the mad mullahs and stood by these poor souls who need our help. Rasmusses is their hero. And also mine.

Vilmos

Freedom of faith

Submitted by Bob Doney on Tue, 2006-02-14 10:25.

Thanks for the link, Vilmos. A very interesting and disturbing article.

The last sentence of the article is: "We are only asking that freedom of religion should be applicable to everyone of every faith". Doesn't seem much to ask from people professing peace, does it?

Bob Doney

The Danish Imams and others

Submitted by foreign devil on Tue, 2006-02-14 02:27.

Imams everywhere, especially if sent from Saudi Arabia or Iran, should be considered suspect and anything they tell you taken with a grain of salt until confirmed. I don't say this to be unfair but as someone pointed out, this whole business has the whiff of the Reichstag Fire and since it's not the first time I've seen doubletalk and forked tongues and one story told here while another is told there...any dealings with a Muslim (sorry folks but you do have the practice of Taqiyya or Kitman) should be held in reserve until thoroughly checked and judgments held until confirmation can be made. No more trust at once; verify! verify! verify!

Just to reiterate, let's net

Submitted by Ethnocentrist on Tue, 2006-02-14 01:10.

Just to reiterate, let's not get fooled by the "moderate" hair splitting.

Why stop with Imams? I

Submitted by Ethnocentrist on Tue, 2006-02-14 01:09.

Why stop with Imams? I think that nearly all of the non-European Muslims need to be repatriated. As Steve Sailer writes on VDare which I have posted on, It's the Immigration, Stupid. An excerpt is below...

Sending Muslims Home Is a Better Idea Now

Many European countries already have underfunded programs to pay immigrants to leave. It's time for them to get serious about a push-pull program to persuade a large number of Muslims to exit Europe.

I would have no problem with

Submitted by DanishDynamite on Mon, 2006-02-13 14:24.

I would have no problem with every single imam, currently residing in the west, being deported and mosques closed untill imams with a PROPER degree in theology have been educated.

World-wide Petition.For the absolute freedom of conscience

Submitted by Ziad GOUDJIL on Tue, 2006-02-14 14:49.

World-wide Petition for the absolute freedom of conscience.
dimanche 12 février 2006.

World-wide Petition.

For the absolute freedom of conscience

Friday 3 February 2006

A Call from Moslems, agnostics and atheists of Moslem culture, for the Freedom of the Press :

WE, CITIZENS OF THE WORLD AND OF MOSLEM CULTURE, WHETHER BELIEVERS, AGNOSTICS OR ATHEISTS,

AFFIRM OUR SUPPORT FOR THE PRINCIPLE OF FREEDOM OF THE PRESS TO TREAT, EVEN WITH HUMOUR, ALL SUBJECTS REGARDING ALL SYSTEMS OF THOUGHT, WHETHER RELIGIOUS OR NOT. AFFIRM THAT NO RELIGION CAN INTERFERE WITH THE RIGHT OF EVERY MAN OR WOMAN TO CRITICISE IT.

SUPPORT THE JOURNALISTS WHO ARE BEING THREATENED AND DISAPPROVE OF THE INITIATIVES OF UNDEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS TO EXPORT THEIR CONFUSING THE PRIVATE SPHERE WITH THE PUBLIC SPHERE

URGE DEMOCRATS AND SECULARISTS OF MOSLEM CULTURE TO ENSURE THAT CIVIL RIGHTS PREVAIL OVER A WARPED INTERPRETATION OF ISLAM.
To sign this petition :

http://www.histoiresdememoire.org/petition/index.php ?petition=2

With an indication, if you so wish, of your profession and your country. In the case of signatures from organisations, you can add a link.

For understandable reasons we will check every signature..

We urge you to spread this world-wide petition everywhere and rapidly to send the signatures back to us. Translations in several languages are being prepared.

HdM
Voir en ligne : To sign this petition.