Cartoon War Leads to Role Reversal, Makes First Victim

From the desk of Paul Belien on Sat, 2006-02-04 20:42

For four months this website has been one of the few places (apart from the Danish media, of course) where information could be found on the cartoon affair. Today the story is all over the global mainstream media (MSM). Hence there is no need for us to repeat what has been mentioned elsewhere. Our readers probably already know that the Danish and Norwegian embassies in Damascus have been set on fire, that the U.S. and British governments are pleased that their newspapers do not have the guts of some European ones, and that the venerable BBC – never hesitating to offend prudish Christians – found itself in a “dilemma” when it had to decide whether or not to show prudish Muslims twelve, mostly inoffensive cartoons [see them here, halfway down the page] – so inoffensive in fact that alienated Danish Muslim fanatics had to add three truly offensive cartoons (of their own making?) to deliberately incite Islamic hatred against Denmark.

The Brussels Journal will concentrate on facts that the MSM hardly devote attention to, such as an e-mail campaign in Belgium for a boycott of French international supermarket chain Carrefour. The reason for this call is that Carrefour has taken all Danish products off the shelves of its stores in Muslim countries, proudly declaring “Carrefour don’t carry Danish products.” In the internet age pictures of posters with the Carrefour logo proclaiming a boycott of Denmark, intended for use in Egypt, are also seen in Brussels, where the result is… a boycott of Carrefour. This illustrates how in the “cartoon war” it will be hard to remain neutral. Everyone will be forced to take sides.

Today an e-mail reached us from Poland, saying:

The notorious cartoons have been published in one of major Polish newspapers, Rzeczpospolita. The editor, Grzegorz Gauden, commented that the European press has divided into two camps: those who decided to publish and those who explain why they are not going to do it. The editorial board, while recognizing the controversional nature of pictures’ contents, totally rejected the methods resorted to by the opponents of the publication: burning of national banners, terrorist threats, etc. Free press and free states cannot give in to this sort of pressure, was the unsurprising conclusion.


The reactions [to the publication in Rzeczpospolita] deprived me of any illusions concerning both the Polish governement and the Polish press as the whole. Mr Marcinkiewicz, Polish prime minister, claimed the cartoons insulted not only the Muslims, but also “everyone who did not accept religious and ethnic hatred.”


Thus, he “shares the feelings of everyone who felt insulted.” Even though the Polish government cannot influence the press, he said that “‘properly understood’ limits of freedom of speech” have been violated by Rzeczpospolita in this “unnecessary provocation.”

Mr Marcinkiewicz was never thought to be a courageous or independent politician. Therefore, it shouldn’t perhaps come as a big surprise. What I found truly pathetic is that the president of national journalists’ association quickly supported his views. She said that she is personally a Catholic and it would be painful if anyone dared to laugh at her religion. It is also telling that the largest Polish national newspaper, Gazeta Wyborcza, failed to publish any editorial comment on the whole cartoon affair. Poland, solidarity, freedom. Don’t forget that abstract notions should always be “properly understood.”

We do not know to what extent the official reaction in Poland corresponds with those in other countries of Donald Rumsfeld’s so-called “New Europe,” but if it does then this is in line with the remarkable role reversal that we noted earlier in the different approaches of the French and German governments (which defend the right of Westerners to draw Muhammad) and the “appeasing” British and American governments (which condemn this as being “offensive”). We had never thought that we would end up on the side of “Old Europe,” but that is where we are today.

Meanwhile, Jihad Momani, the only Arab editor who had the courage to publish some of the Muhammad cartoons, has been arrested by the Jordanian authorities. Last Thursday Mr Momani’s paper, al-Shihan, published three of the cartoons, including the one of Muhammad with a bomb in his turban. The cartoons were accompanied by an editorial in which Mr Momani wrote that suicide bombers and terrorists slashing throats of hostages in front of cameras cause much more harm to Islam than these drawings. Before the day was over Mr Momani had been sacked, while all remaining copies of the paper were destroyed by the publisher, Arab Printing Company.

Mr Momani was forced to offer public apologies. “I ask Allah’s forgiveness and express my apologies for the serious mistake that I made in Shihan. It was a mistake that happened unintentionally and was caused by my enthusiasm to defend our faith,” he said.

Yesterday the Brussels-based Flemish newspaper De Morgen interviewed Mr Momani over the phone. The Jordanian journalist appeared to be in a panic. According to the interview, which was published today, he told De Morgen:

“I cannot assess what severe penalties await me.”

It is possible that the authorities arrested Mr Momani today in order to protect his life from assassins, but it is also possible that they will prosecute him for blasphemy. During the interview he also told the Brussels paper that he still holds the opinions he defended in his editorial.

“The frenzied reactions to the publication of the cartoons is out of all proportions and does the Muslim cause more harm than good. […] I could have published the editorial without the three illustrations, but I chose not to do so. Look, it has been five months since the cartoons were published in Denmark. […] I wanted to show the people why they were so furiously protesting in the streets, as these are only a few silly pictures. I thought it might defuse the situation a bit if people saw the actual cartoons.”

Mr Momani said he is himself a Muslim and realizes perfectly well that the cartoons can be offensive.

“These pictures are really insulting to us. I myself was not happy when I saw them […] But to react to them in such an extreme way is a big mistake and can be as foolish. That is what I wanted to make clear.”

Mr Momani had not imagined that the publication could lead to his dismissal. He said he felt let down by the Jordanian government.

“I feel hunted down. I am very disappointed in our government. There are thousands of ordinary Muslims who completely agree with me, but this inquisition is being inflated to a religious war by certain people, and certainly by those with power. That is a dangerous and foolish thing to do.”

The jailed Mr Momani is the first victim of the Cartoon War. His fate should concern all of us – including the timid American press.

More on the Cartoon Case (see links at end of article)

To nermin and bashar

Submitted by mtk2006 on Sun, 2006-02-05 06:29.

It's all about the type of response relative to the offense.

The Religion of PEACE uses VIOLENCE when insulted. Does that not seem like a contradiction to you?

I remember something from Jesus, another prophet highly respected by Islam, that said something about "turning the other cheek". How do you explain how two prophets from Allah could have two significantly different messages?

Bottom Line:
We non-Muslims may get offended and boycott or burn flags or whatever but we do NOT kill because of being offended.

The Muslim protests and threats of suicide bombers/death threats are now nicely demonstrating where the cartoonist's idea of showing Mohammed with a bomb on his head originated from. I don't believe mankind had bombs back in the 7th century!

Or how would you explain where the cartoonist's could ever have gotten this idea?

When Muslims put the Prophet on a pedestal, they are engaging in idolatry. The point of monotheism is to worship one God, not one of God's emissaries. Which is why humility requires people of faith to mock themselves - and each other - every once in a while. The difference between Muslims and non-Muslims is that when Muslims are offended, THEY THREATEN TO KILL!

Please explain the Islamic teaching of reacting with violence to personal insult. Even when Mohammed has been insulted.

By the way, is it an insult to respectfully depict Allah in a picture?

Or how about Mohammed in a respectful a way?

I am sure the Quran must thoroughly explain the answers to these very important questions. So please feel free to give details.

As honorable Muslims that I know you must be, I am sure you will answer my questions.

Thank you!

Respectfully,
mtk2

If you don't like who and what you are ...

Submitted by Jack Straw on Sun, 2006-02-05 06:42.

If you don't like who and what you are, just go blow yourself up, Bashar.

Only, go do it somewhere away from the rest of us.

Good luck on the 72 virgins.

FOOL, do you realize how lucky you are not to be living under the Iranian mullahs?!

Oh yeah, you're blond, you're Dutch, you've got the freedom to act like an obnoxious little prick.

You're just a spoiled kid, posing, acting out your bad attitude.

I wish you could realize how freaking lucky you are to live in the West, where diverse opinions can be expressed, where people can disagree without blowing each other up.

What, are you about ... 14 or 15?

BOOK OF GUIDANCE

Submitted by SERVANT OF GOD on Sun, 2006-02-05 04:52.

"And if ye are in doubt As to what We have revealed From time to time to Our Servant, then produce a Surah Like thereunto: And call your witnesses or helpers (If there are any) besides Allah, If your (doubts) are true.
"But if ye cannot-And of a surety you cannot-Then fear the Fire Whose fuel is Men and Stones-Which is prepared for those Who reject Faith."

Al-Quran 2:23-24)

To SERVANT OF GOD,

Submitted by mtk2006 on Sun, 2006-02-05 06:37.

"And if ye are in doubt As to what We have revealed From time to time to Our Servant, then produce a Surah Like thereunto: And call your witnesses or helpers (If there are any) besides Allah, If your (doubts) are true.
"But if ye cannot-And of a surety you cannot-Then fear the Fire Whose fuel is Men and Stones-Which is prepared for those Who reject Faith."

Al-Quran 2:23-24)

Can you please explain what the above verse means to a devout and true Muslim?

Thank you.

Respectfully,
mtk2006

Cartoons and the Muslims

Submitted by hmercer34 on Sun, 2006-02-05 03:26.

I find it rather ironic that after the postings of these cartoons the Islams resorted to violence. How strange and unusaual. Although I do not think of Islam as a violent religion, I find that many in the mideastern world believe that violence is their right, in the name of their religion, how sad for all of the Islams around the world that practice this religion, peacefully. As a war was inflicted on us on 9-11 by some of the radical Islamists, it does not suprise me of the reaction, they can behead people in cold blood, but a cartoon offends them. I say go ahead and publish what you can, the truth is the truth!!!
Shrub

Freedom of Speech, Good Judgement and Bad Taste

Submitted by Darwin1800 on Sun, 2006-02-05 02:08.

Basher, my friend, we have freedom of speech but it should be moderated by good judgement. If you are offended by what someone says or writes: you can respond - but within the bounds of good taste. 

Your replies are as provocative as the comments you deplore.

There's no reason to be distasteful - even if someone else already is!

There are many Chinese people who would sympathise with you. No need to glory in death.
 

Obviously religion

Submitted by DanishDynamite on Sun, 2006-02-05 02:05.

Obviously religion influences culture to an extreme extent. The more religious the populace, the greater the influence of religion.

I think it's safe to assume that the Qur'an, or atleast the current interpretation of it, bears much of the blame for the actions of muslims. They can not claim islam is a peaceful religion, when it's obvious it's influence of them is anything but peaceful.

Islam is only peaceful as long as everyone bows down to its "superiority". Challenge it, how ever slightly, and peace flies out the window.

This is such a hypocritical

Submitted by DanishDynamite on Sun, 2006-02-05 01:45.

This is such a hypocritical farce.

Muslims are burning the Danish flag in protest, knowing full well it carries the cross, and thus insulting every christian in the world. Last time I checked, there were more than 2.5 billion christians... Now who's insulting who? The hypocrisy is obvious to everyone; you can't go about protesting a religious insult, by perpetrating a religious insult... Or maybe you can if you're muslim?

SMS messages urging people to meet for an "anti muslim demonstration with burning of the Qur'an" were reported, in Danish media, to be circulating. Nothing came of those messages though. No flags were burnt, no Qur'an was burnt...

You see muslims, Danes are civilized. We don't attack and burn down embassies based on rumours...

What I saw on TV today, with muslims going nuts and smashing furniture, simply reminded me of posturing apes... Smashing things into the ground in order to look and feel big...

Even Apes have right's

Submitted by Poul Nielsen on Sun, 2006-02-05 01:56.

It was'nt a pretty sight - looking at the burning embassy's in Syria.

Monkey's in "Gods" free nature - are more civilized.

How do people get such manners - the Qur'an ? or do they just not know how to behave ?

hey ninja shit head

Submitted by bashar on Sun, 2006-02-05 01:44.

remind you how the japenese a small nation did fuck you chinese bad and they are nothing in population infrontt of china quantity is for ants MAU TSE TONG said so go shuffel a suchi up your asina momy pussy becuase the jap did you very badly

To: armyscout43

Submitted by Poul Nielsen on Sun, 2006-02-05 01:40.

You forgot the flower-power movement in your Country .... "Make love not war".

Here in Denmark - we prefer to solve problems over several gallons of beer ;-)

Bashar

Submitted by Jack Straw on Sun, 2006-02-05 01:11.

If you are so fundamentally opposed to European values -- and obviously you are, at least as best I can understand your incoherent ranting -- then you shouldn't live there.

your problem

Submitted by bashar on Sun, 2006-02-05 01:22.

that i shold think like you other wise i do not belong to europpe you are doing worst than muslims you accuse them with
shall i imigrate to usa i am blond type blue eye fellow

To Bashar

Submitted by Slim shady on Sun, 2006-02-05 20:38.

Here's some information for you:

Denmark saved all of its Jewish citizens during the Second World War by getting them out of Denmark and into the neutral and safe Sweden.

Denmark was the country who sent the most soldiers to Bosnia to save the Muslims. Bill Clinton has made a big deal out of this and thanked the Danish people for its help. Something you would know, if you had read a book or followed the news once in a while.

Do you know, there's something called the UN? Do you know, there's something called NATO? Who the fuck do you think is a member of both, and fought in Bosnia with other members of the UN???

You little ignorant, don't you EVER tell me about Danish history.

to Slim shady

Submitted by nermin on Sun, 2006-02-05 21:05.

ok it is fine of you that you danish peopel saved jews...taht i sfine of you..
but donot talk about bosnia because it was shame on europe to let what happened happened to bosnian and wait watching all thes time till that massacres killed all those and made graves still tobe discovered daily..
it was hame on europe not to interfer from start an d early enough to prevent killing o f those innocnet women and children .while we are in the 20 th century..and it is a europeab country and those are native people ...

Nermin

Submitted by Slim shady on Sun, 2006-02-05 21:15.

But we went, didn't we? We put our soldiers' lives at risk, didn't we?

And before you start pointing fingers, why didn't you go into Iraq, when the Kurds were slaughtered by Saddam? Where were you?

And now we're digging up bodies of Muslims killed by Saddam, and for 30 years you did nothing.

Milosovic is captured and standing trial. Where? Europe! You've saved no innocent children and women ever, and still you attack my country, who did go to Bosnia. SHAME ON YOU!

to slimshady from nermin

Submitted by nermin on Sun, 2006-02-05 21:22.

and i didnot say we are right not to save kurds or others even those in bosnia.
i say atht muslims now liv ein their decline ages but you claim to be civlized countries and advanced too so what made you silent till all that massacres hapended.
in th epast during our golden days , a muslim women was insulted in far east was protected by the muslim ruler at that times personally.
her plea reached him when there was no mobile no media no anything....
but what delayed you mr advnaced who live in your golden ages now

Nermin

Submitted by Slim shady on Sun, 2006-02-05 21:28.

So why didn't you save them? You say you are compassionate, caring and peace-loving people.

Why? Because you're rascists when it comes to the Kurdish people. Not even Turkey, that wants to be a member of the EU so badly, can hide it.

to slimshady from nermin

Submitted by nermin on Sun, 2006-02-05 21:42.

are you ignoring what i say or you are fool or what.here again what i said above..
by the way saldin was kurdish and we donot hav einisalm anything like any discrimination like you used to do.the prophet said there no differnace between an arab and non arab excpet in pious.no differnace between black and white or any ethnic groups in islam..to you rknwldage ,arabs are only 18% of muslim population which are present wordwide and belong to all ethnic groups...and i didnot say we are right not to save kurds or others even those in bosnia.
i say atht muslims now liv ein their decline ages but you claim to be civlized countries and advanced too so what made you silent till all that massacres hapended.
in th epast during our golden days , a muslim women was insulted in far east was protected by the muslim ruler at that times personally.
her plea reached him when there was no mobile no media no anything....
but what delayed you mr advnaced who live in your golden ages now

Bashar -- his own words -- from his own profile

Submitted by Jack Straw on Sun, 2006-02-05 01:34.

Here's what this brilliant Renaissance Man has to say -- I'm now quoting his profile in its entirety:

"asshole you shit europpen" (sic)

There you have it.

So, Europe and Europeans:

Stand up to the Islamo-Fascists!

Do not be ashamed to be masters in your own house.

If Europe doesn't adhere to and defend its own civic and cultural values, someone else is ready and eager to take over and be your masters.

In America, we have our own problems with Christianist bigots.

Don't let the Islamo-Fascists dictate how you may live in your own house!

Just as Christians and Jews in Islamic countries must behave according to Islamic laws and customs, Moslems should respect European values in Europe.

There is nothing else that can legitimately be said about this, though I'm sure there's a non-European anus out there who will have something else illiterate to say.

Cowardly Politicians

Submitted by Deep Keel on Sun, 2006-02-05 00:30.

The recent actions of cowardly politicians in the US, UK, Poland, and others show exactly why it was necessary to publish these cartoons.  We can not appease murdering Islamist thugs and retain our freedom.  The publishing of these cartoons was a protest against increasing Muslim threats and violence in the West. More threats and violence will bring even more opposition and criticism from the West.

Respect for whom - a comment from a dane !

Submitted by Poul Nielsen on Sat, 2006-02-04 23:50.

Many muslims are talking about respect for their religion - because of 12 harmles drawings in a danish newspaper. Because of 12 drawings - many muslims are feeling offended.

Well some of the drawings - are not drawings of Muhamed, but drawings of members of the danish parlement. So who should be offended ? Even the danish imams - should know - that several of the persons in the drawings, are drawings of public persons in Denmark.

Danish imams are still feeding Arab papers with their lies. The Saudi Gazette quotes the Danish imam Raed Hlayhel for saying, "Every day pictures and articles are printed, which are even more serious and dangerous than those that were printed in September. During the past 3 months - we havent seen any cartoons of muhamed in the printed press in Denmark.

The only one in Denmark - who are showing those drawings - are "The Danish Islamic Community" who have travelled the Middle East with false Mohammed drawings, which are far worse and far more blasphemous than anything ever published in a Danish newspaper.These drawings appeared on the BBC, where imam Abu Bashar was showing the false drawings to official representatives from the Arabic League

The media in the muslim world and the media in UK and USA (f.ex CNN) has chosen to not show the real 12 cartoons in respect for Islam. Nice going, They won't show the 12 relatively innocent drawings - in respect for Islam - but they *will* show several minutes video of fanatic Muslims burning Danish flags, burning pictures of the danish Prime Minister and now The Danish embassy in Syria - in respect for whom.

Should we danes - also walk in the streets, yalling "death over ..." burn flags, pictures in disrespect for other countries and people. I don't think so. Maybe the muslims all over the world - should think, before they act !

hi danish ffrom spain

Submitted by halleluya on Sun, 2006-02-05 00:10.

we are all danish these days and support you
the best you can do is expulse all those imans and mullahs to their countries,
there they kill them,do us a favor and deport them.
those people are against denmark
saludos

Cartoons

Submitted by culandun on Fri, 2006-02-10 20:42.

I think that in future, the prophet should be represented by the image of a hedgehog.

final solucion halleluya

Submitted by bashar on Sun, 2006-02-05 00:42.

do with these imam like hitler did with the jew the final solucion yes you feel better always the german nazi blood hitler left in your sorry motheres sisters is ticking better than deportation problem will be solved quicly

Hey Spain

Submitted by Slim shady on Sun, 2006-02-05 00:21.

Ha ha, even though you beat us in semifinal handball. I'll cheer for you tomorrow.

why you are upset about your flag

Submitted by bashar on Sun, 2006-02-05 00:03.

we have the right to burn it even in denmark why now suddely you do not take that as a funny jock remember freedom of speech and in syria is freedom of act go out of the arabic peninsula at least accept my comments as funny comments but you see sir how does it hirt it hirt you burning the flag well it hirt us these funny danish style cartoons

Bashar's comments

Submitted by Jack Straw on Sun, 2006-02-05 00:26.

Check out Bashar's profile, and you can see where he's really coming from.

It seems to me that there is no logical reason why Moslems should be entitled to enforce Moslem rules of conduct and decorum outside of Moslem territories.

Certainly Christians and Jews are not free to speak out against Islam in Moslem countries.

The price for being a welcome guest is to live according to the rules of the society in which you are a VISITOR.

To respect your host's values, including their freedom of speech, even if you don't like what they say.

After all, you have your own countries to go home to.

The freedom that Muslims presently enjoy in Europe is far greater than the freedom non-Muslims enjoy in Muslim countries.

Think about it.

Jack Straw
Memphis, Tennessee

mr jack straw

Submitted by bashar on Sun, 2006-02-05 00:39.

i am ducth citizen born and die dutch

do not judge befor knowing people becuase i have a persian name you tought i am arabic or iranian you see how ignorant you are i am proudly ducth.....or a ducth citizen can not say that....tell me

Bashar

Submitted by Jack Straw on Sun, 2006-02-05 00:59.

So you're Dutch?

One of the Dutch who is proud of the murder of Theo van Gogh by Islamists?

Have you noticed that your views are not held by a majority of your fellow Dutch citizens?

Why do you feel entitled, because you are a Muslim, to violate the rights of other Dutch citizens?

From which culture do you draw your tradition of supporting murder and mayhem, Bashar?

Maybe you should try a little harder to be Dutch.

I've never known the Dutch to be partial to random violence and the murder of innocents.

enlightening

Submitted by whosez on Sun, 2006-02-05 02:51.

Bashar is exactly what reasonable Muslims are afraid of: being viewed in the same light that Bashar has cast himself. That of being viewed as fanatic, irrational, hatred-spewing bigots against anything and everything not Muslim. It is hard to believe that all Muslims are so wildly defensive and paranoid of others' thoughts, words, pictures. Bashar, free speech would do you a lot of good if you could stand to hear it from anyone else's lips. Free speech does not mean that ONLY ONE PERSON gets to say whatever they want no matter how hateful, defamatory or illogical it may be. If you dish it out, better be ready to take it. I haven't seen the cartoons that are ticking you off, but I have seen photos of thousands of Muslims carrying placards advocating beheading people over them. Those people are screaming and yelling, burning, looting, injuring property and people when absolutely no harm was done to them by those cartoons. Then, of course, there are the videos so generously supplied by people advocating Islam, that show beheadings and executions of innocent people--not even soldiers--all for the glory of your God. I wonder if he's pleased? Mine wouldn't be.

you are sorry ignorant ass

Submitted by bashar on Sun, 2006-02-05 01:08.

where did you saw in my face or expressionthat i was ok with theo murder
why you still judge that is the problem you generalize all the same....why than do not asay the german all nazi

Hi Done

Submitted by Balder on Sun, 2006-02-05 01:04.

I think you are right you can burn Danish flag in Denmark, but not flags of other countries. There was a debate about including the Danish flag.

Hi balder ..

Submitted by Poul Nielsen on Sun, 2006-02-05 01:07.

It's legal for danes to burn their own flag - but not legal for danes to burn flags from other countries and destroy religous symbols (like the "Koran").

I don't like seeing the

Submitted by Slim shady on Sun, 2006-02-05 00:16.

I don't like seeing the Danish flag burning, but I accept that you have a right to do so. Personally, I wouldn't choose to express my opinion in that way, but I guess that's how it's done in the Middle East. And it's okay, it's the freedom of speech.
But pure violence, threats of killing people and burning down embassies, in which people live og work, is not acceptable no matter what.
That's an evil and cruel thing to do, and I think deep down inside you know that.

Koran splashing at Gitmo

Submitted by foreign devil on Sat, 2006-02-04 22:37.

Nermin: once again this was another 'trumped up' story by the Muslims.  There was no 'Koran splashing'.  And if there was...SO WHAT?  okay?  No one cares about your Koran.  Want to make something of it?

to mr devil

Submitted by nermin on Sat, 2006-02-04 22:41.

th e pentagom admitted it go an d search if want to be assured.i know very well taht you donot care about our quran...and you donot deserve to care for it.

to armyscout43 seven eleven up your mom ass

Submitted by bashar on Sun, 2006-02-05 00:36.

there where you find teh seven eleven up your mom ass to pour your beer..befor uniting the wooooooooooooooorld against muslim strait out your shit in irak asshole win that war they blowing your soldiers asses to pieces poor soldiers i feel pitty for them....there in irak they are indeed pissing on your bible or the tora adn shuffeling the cross up the american woman prisioners sorry pussy and the soldieres asses and they are feeding the bible papers to teh camels....staright out irak first and then unite the world against muslim...
you should be proud by your american lousy drug addict society and HIV mentality sick bastard lastest news from haven they found your jesus HIV postive
asshole