I salute you - S Ahmed

Submitted by Frank Oddersborg (Denmark), Feb 10, 2006 at 15:19

First of all I'd like to salute you for the first constructive post in a while.

It's true we are living in a global society and you are absolutely right regarding it would be wrong if some Danes published the cartoons in a paper in some Muslim country in the Middle East, and then we should apologize for invading your country with an insult of your prophet.

But the case is that the cartoons was printed in a Danish paper, in Denmark to start a Danish debate about self censorship in Denmark e.g. the cornerstone and basic value of our society: The freedom of speech, in Denmark!

We have a long tradition of making fun of all kind of things; we can do this in Denmark as we are free, open-minded and very peaceful.

Did you know we have had only one revolution in Denmark? - It was called 'The Velvet Revolution, it lasted for 4 hours, no blood was shed and all parts of the conflict went home to lunch, with peace in their hearts. Even the king who had lost thought: What the heck? – Its just about control over Denmark.

Let me be hypothetical too as regarding you neighbour example:

If you're making fun of you neighbour in the street, at his lawn or somewhere else you'll be offending him, no question about this.
But in your own home you can make all the fun you like about everything and anybody, which I'm quite sure you already do. You are surely debating many things within you own walls you wouldn't debate in the public space – Am I right?! You do this as here you have the freedom of speech.

Was it then Denmark that offended Muslims OUTSIDE of Denmark, or was it Muslims outside of Denmark who took offence?

Would you be sorry for something you said in your own home, which insulted your neighbour as he was listening by door?

That's why we are not sorry for anything in Denmark, but proud of allowing our citizens the freedom of speech, isn't that something worth fighting for?

As for problems with Muslims in the Danish society not meddling in, much can be regarded the Imams who have their own agenda when they were invited by the Danish authorities to help intergrading fellow Muslims. Some Imams have lived in Denmark for 20 years without even learning the Danish language. So you're right, its our own darn fault who we have put our trust in.

You know this thing first blew up after they made 3 really nasty pictures of Mohammed and misled Muslims leaders in the Middle East. What should their punishment be for taking the issue to the world? –Plus themselves making 3 more cartoons?

Most Danes see this issue as an attack on the Danish freedom.

Please get back to me in a hurry as I'd very much like to hear your response.

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