...International Muslims Organisation...

Campaigns...

Response to the press statement Made by the Prime Minister of Denmark on the 3rd of February to the Ambassadors of the Muslim World


Statsminister Anders Fogh Rasmussens tale den 3. februar 2006 (Talen er på engelsk)

Ambassadors, Your Excellencies,


Thank you for coming at such short notice. As you are well aware Denmark has been faced with protests from the Muslim world concerning the publication of drawings of the Prophet Muhammad in the independent newspaper Jyllands-Posten. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and I have invited you today to inform you on the facts of the matter as well as the position of the Government of Denmark.


The drawings were brought in the newspaper Jyllands-Posten in late September 2005. In October I received from 11 ambassadors representing Muslim countries a letter in which they referred to the drawings and to other public statements. They requested a meeting and called on me to take action in the matter.


In my response to the 11 ambassadors I clarified the position of the Danish Government vis-à-vis the publications. I emphasised the need for mutual respect and tolerance between countries and religions. I also made it clear that the Government could not interfere with the media nor take any legal steps against them.

" When is an apology an apology and not an insult? On the one hand you state you believe in mutual respect and tolerance. On the other hand you believe and uphold the values of freedom of speech to insult and malign the character and personality of the beloved Holy Prophet (SAW).

" Interesting how you assert the values and traditions of your country, yet not in any statement have you grasped the hurt and insult felt by 1.3 Billion Muslims. It is strictly forbidden in Islamic law for anyone to depict in a drawing, picture or cartoon or any form of image of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). From your statement where is the mutual respect for this value held dear to the hearts and souls of the Muslims of the world.


As you are well aware the cartoons caused a widespread public debate during the autumn. Therefore, I devoted a large part of my New Year's Speech to the very issue of ensuring a respectful dialogue and the principle of freedom of expression.

" The cartoons did cause insult and hurt not just "public debate". Ambassadors from eleven Muslim countries came and expressed their hurt, insult and strength of feeling. Yet you chose to ignore these voices.

In the speech, I made it clear that I condemn any expression, action or indication that attempts to demonise groups of people on the basis of their religion or ethnic background. It is the sort of thing that does not belong in a society that is based on respect for the individual human being.

" If you hold the values "condemn any expression, action or indication that attempts to demonise groups of people" then why is that you chose not to condemn these images which insult, malign and demonise the Holy Prophet (PBUH) as a terrorist.

As you, Ambassadors, have witnessed during your stay in Denmark, the freedom of expression has a wide scope here. The Danes are known for presenting their views in a frank and straightforward manner. We also use humour and satire, especially when questioning authorities. And in our culture of debate, we consider humour and satire a softening and mollifying way of expression. And certainly not an insulting way of expressing oneself.

" It is difficult to understand the humour or satirical value of any of the cartoons. They all have a clear and unambiguous meaning that the Prophet (PBUH) was a terrorist, Islam is a terrorist religion and 1.25 Billion Muslims are terrorists. How is this not to be taken offensively. How does it "question authorities" or soften or mollify the crude and nasty message it is delivering.
" From all your remarks it seems that you are not clear on your thoughts. Do you regret the printing of the images and unreservedly apologies to the Muslim world or are you unsure?

However, as I pointed out in my New Year's Speech we should always use the freedom of expression with mutual respect and understanding.


At first, my call for respect and tolerance was well received among Muslim communities in Denmark and abroad.


However, the situation escalated a couple of weeks ago. It was indisputable that many Muslims have been hurt and offended by the drawings. At the same time, misinformation was starting to spread.

" It is not just that "many Muslims have been hurt" hundreds of millions of Muslims have been hurt. There are many parts of the Muslim World where this story has not yet come to light. Any Muslim seeing and hearing of these images will be hurt and offended.
Therefore, I was pleased that the newspaper Jyllands-Posten three days ago apologized to the Muslim world for the offence caused by the drawings. I hope this will bring comfort to those people that have been hurt. I am deeply distressed that many Muslims have seen the drawings in the newspaper as a defamation of the Prophet Muhammad.

" From your statement "I am deeply distressed that many Muslims have seen the drawings in the newspaper as a defamation of the Prophet Muhammad" it is quite clear that you are either deliberately adding insult to injury or just unbelievably ignorant. How is it possible not to see these cartoons as a defamation of the character of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). If you thought they were someone making him (PBUH) appear endearing than you really are personally being insulting.
" An apology is when someone feels sincere regret and remorse and acknowledges unreservedly that it was a mistake for the Newspaper to publish these insulting images. Yet you state you are sorry for hurting the feelings of Muslims but at the same time state that it is your right to publish these insulting pictures as a form of freedom of expression

On Tuesday, I made a statement, where I made it clear that the Danish Government respects Islam as one of the world's major religions. I also emphasised that the government has no intention to insult Muslims and does not support such activities. I have also made it clear that personally I would never depict any religious figure in a way that could hurt other people's feelings.


We are faced with a problem, which can grow to a more global problem. The cartoons have now been reprinted in a number of newspapers all over Europe. And if the protests in the streets escalate further we maybe faced with unpredictable repercussions in all the affected countries.


Therefore, I think we have a common interest in calming down feelings and in settling this affair.


***


As you know, the present situation has caused a heated debate in Denmark as well. I have called on all parties to abstain from any statement or action that will create further tension. I have called on representatives of the Muslim communities - including religious authorities - to convey the same message to fellow Muslims in Denmark and abroad. I have also asked the same people to help us correct the vast amount of misinformation that we have seen in the press in a number of countries.


***


On a final note allow me to look ahead. It may seem premature, as we do not know exactly how this will develop. Nevertheless, we do know that the debate on the very basic principles will continue. We are now witnessing a heated public debate here in Denmark and Europe as well as in Muslim countries. It is evident that we are dealing with core values in democracies and religious societies.


The real challenge is to avoid a clash of those values. We all have a responsibility to ensure that this does not happen. It is my firm belief that the only way ahead is a dialogue that allows us to strengthen our insight and understanding of each other.


Mutual understanding is a must in today's globalized world. For centuries, Denmark has been a firm supporter of free trade and exchange of ideas as a way to foster friendship and prosperity between all nations. Increasingly, the media, information technology and migration stimulate that development. It also makes us acutely aware of events taking place in far away countries. And it makes us sensitive to misinformation.


Freedom of expression and freedom of the press are the very cornerstones of any democratic society. I firmly believe that it is the very right to question the status quo that allows a society to develop and prosper.


But freedom of expression should always be combined with freedom of religion and respect between religions and cultures. Those are fundamental values in the Danish society - and in many other societies.


The same basic values should guide the relations between our nations and cultures. I believe that the free exchange of goods and ideas while - at the same time - understanding and tolerating the view of other people and cultures, would allow us all to benefit from today's globalized world.

In summary your attempt at an apology falls short of the expectation of the Muslim World. If one is to move forward in a dialogue and mutual respect, one must first appreciate and acknowledge the value system of the person that they have caused insult and hurt. This then forms the basis of a starting point to better understanding. I urge you to be clear and unambiguous in your apology regarding the hurt and insult which has been caused to Millions of Muslims.