Norway Apologizes over Muhammad Cartoons

The left-wing government in Norway apologizes to Muslims worldwide for the publication of twelve Muhammad cartoons [see them here] in the Norwegian newspaper Magazinet. Oslo sent out instructions to all the Norwegian embassies on how to respond to queries about the cartoons. Unlike the Danish government, the Norwegian government is not concerned about safeguarding the right to freedom of expression. Foreign Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, a leading member of Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg’s Workers’ Party, wrote the following e-mail to the Norwegian embassies:

I am sorry that the publication of a few cartoons in the Norwegian paper Magazinet has caused unrest among Muslims. I fully understand that these drawings are seen to give offence by Muslims worldwide. Islam is a spiritual reference point for a large part of the world. Your faith has the right to be respected by us.

The cartoons in the Christian paper Magazinet are not constructive in building the
bridges which are necessary between people with different religious and ethnic backgrounds. Instead they contribute to suspicion and unnecessary conflict.

Let it be clear that the Norwegian government condemns every expression or act which expresses contempt for people on the basis of their religion or ethnic origin. Norway has always supported the fight of the UN against religious intolerance and racism, and believes that this fight is important in order to avoid suspicion and conflict. Tolerance, mutual respect and dialogue are the basis values of Norwegian society and of our foreign policy.

Freedom of expression is one of the pillars of Norwegian society. This includes tolerance for opinions that not everyone shares. At the same time our laws and our international obligations enforce restrictions for incitement to hatred or hateful expressions.

Opposition politicians reacted to this message with indignation. Jon Lilletun, the spokesman on foreign policy for the Christian-democrat Kristelig Folkeparti, points out that it is not the ministry’s task to express an opinion on the content of the cartoons. Carl I. Hagen, the leader of the Progress Party, fears that freedom of expression is being swept under the carpet.

Magazinet
published the cartoons in support of the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten, which after publishing the drawings last September has been threatened with revenge by Muslim extremists. According to Islam it is blasphemy to depict Muhammad. The Danish government has consistently refused to give in to demands from Islamic countries that it apologize for the publication of the cartoons and introduce censorship.

As we noted before it is striking to see how Norwegian politics differs from Danish politics. The Norwegian Foreign Minister’s e-mail was meant to be confidential and not to be disclosed to the Norwegian public, “because,” as the Foreign Ministry wrote, “that would look rather stupid in the Norwegian press.” Apparently Muslims abroad are more deserving of respect than one’s own citizens.

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Meanwhile the cartoon controversy drags on in Denmark. Saudi Arabia has called its ambassador to Copenhagen home for consultation. In Saudi Arabia there are calls to boycott Danish products and some Danish companies are already losing customers. As a consequence the Danish government felt obliged to actively contact Saudi religious leaders, while the Danish ambassador to Riyadh participated in a debate on Saudi national television. Still it came as a complete surprise to Foreign Minister Per Stig Møller when Saudi Arabia called its ambassador home for consultation.

More on the Danish cartoon case:

Jihad Against Danish Paper, 22 October 2005

Cartoon Case Escalates into International Crisis, 27 October 2005

Out of the Iranian Frying Pan into the Danish Fire, 29 October 2005

Pigs Do Not Fly, 17 November 2005

Bounty Offered for Murdering Cartoonists, 4 December 2005

UN to Investigate Racism of Danish Cartoonists
, 7 December 2005

Dispatch from the Eurabian Front, 9 December 2005

Europe Criticises Copenhagen over Cartoons, 21 December 2005

Cartoon Case: EU and UN Call Denmark to Account
, 28 December 2005

Danish Cartoon Affair: Letter from a Muslim, 31 December 2005

Danish Muslims Divided over Cartoon Affair, 8 January 2006

Danish Prime Minister Shocked at Lies, 11 January 2006

Scandinavian Update: Israeli Boycott, Muslim Cartoons, 14 January 2006

Denmark: Moderate Muslims Oppose Imams, 19 January 2006

Danish Imams Propose to End Cartoon Case, 22 January 2006

European Appeasement Reinforces Muslim Extremism, 24 January 2006

The cartoons in the

The cartoons in the Christian paper Magazinet are not constructive in building the
bridges which are necessary between people with different religious and
ethnic backgrounds. Instead they contribute to suspicion and
unnecessary conflict, or worse, may even cause some of us to think
about the effect of Islam on Western liberties. On the other hand,
threats, bombs, beheadings, rape and murder are very constructive,
because they make so many of us into craving cowards - as you may have
noticed.online movies hd movies downloads

Islam is not wat sum ppl think.....

well....all i can say is tht islam is not at all lyk wat many ppl here are tellin....i wonder wether making racist remarks at each other will solve anything....while christians think that islam is the worst reigion in the world, i wonder wether they ever thought abt their religion....arnt they the ppl who crucified god and then pray for him???....or are they?????....arnt they the ppl who have spread all sorts of evil all over the globe??? rnt they the ppl who allow things lyk gambling,illict sex,gay marriages n all sorts of ridiculous things???

if anyone 4 a moment tries to learn wat islam really is, they will surely realise tht all tht it calls 4 is wats good 4 humanity, islam doesnt allow anythin tht will harm humanity in any way....even drinking is one of the biggest sins......

i understand there r sum ppl among muslims who r fighting 4 their ryts....n its a grave mistake to think that all muslims are lyk that...even the ppl who r fightin hav a reason...sum wre forced out of their homelands..sum were discriminated...their lands wre taken from them...their nations were invaed and enslaved.....

wat wud non muslims in the west feel lyk if they hav to undergo wat muslims underwent?....wat will they think if they r forced out of their homelands???...wat wud they feel lyk if their children are slaughtered??

a good example is todays iraq....it was invaded becoz the west was "sure" tht it had weapons of mass destruction....but i wonder where the hell r the weapons??? now iraq is a wasteland where there is no peace....was this caused by muslims????

and look at palestine.....we hear that young kids are shot dead by the israeli military forces....wat crime did those poor children commit??? they r so young tht they wont even no wat a gun is......does this show why muslims r fighting 4 their ryts????

i was truly surprised at wat sum ppl had written in this site....ppl lyk tht cannot b called ppl.....it wud b good if everyone just thinks abt wat they are saying.......

muslims never have drawn cartoons of jesus n christian holy things..have they?? it is sum ppl who are provoking muslims.......

atlast i wud lyk to say that we as muslims respect and care for our prophet(S.A.W) more than we care 4 our own lives.....and we respect the faith of the christians n everyone else.......

one more thing....wat wud the ppl who posted all sorts of vulgar against muslims on this page think if i say such things at their parents or loved ones???

so i ask evryone to respect each others ryts....and think twice before sayin insulting words at others....give respect n gain respect.....

Call for Jihad

Its now a thing of joy to me each time these descendant of the son of the bond woman declare jihad.From past experience there is always a tremendious increase in new converts from Islam to Christianity as many who are just muslim did so as a result of family religion, but many now question the rational behind thier senseless blood shedding ....and really an average man wants peace and joy ....which Christianity gives.So many muslims now converts easily in a large number to Christianity based on this reasons......so I request for more jihad noise,bombing, and more 9/11...........

lack of understanding

im a muslim who lives in the middle-east, i find all this debate as inappropriate.
the real problem is lack of understanding really
neither the muslims want to destroy the western world!! except perhaps the crazy muslims nor the westerns want to annihilate the muslims !! except again the stupid ones
it is all a matter of misunderstanding between two different cultures
one that upholds the intellect and work while the other upholds the spirit and the word
the right solution of this conflict will be TOLERANCE on both sides and not an enraged WAR
until the muslims can gradually grab the reality of change that has happened in the world around them otherwise we are gradually transforming them into living bombs

Tolerance ?

If you are a muslim please don't talk about tolerance. I am living in Saudi Arabia, the center of islamic faith but there is no tolerance. All women are forced to wear black abaya regardless of faith. No other religion is also allowed in this country and you can even be jailed for possesion of a Bible. In islam there is only submission and no tolerance.

and who said that i as a

and who said that i as a muslim agree to what is happening in saudia
they are retarded

Tolerance is nice, but to

Tolerance is nice, but to accept censorship in order to accomodate family run dictatorships and fundementalists is not an option. Remember that the cartoons were published in order to draw attention to the fact that danish (and other europeans) intellectuals were being threatened not to publish anything relating to islam. We cannot, must not and will not appease such a bunch of flag burning bullies!

Surely the Danes will

Surely the Danes will survive an economic boycott by the Islamic world, which is in general fairly poor. How about a push into China? Replace one set of a billion consumers with another! I suspect the Chinsese are a little more secure in their culture than the Mohamedians.

No Muslim has yet explained why these depictions of Mohammed are so insulting other than 'because the Quran says so', which is pretty much par for the course in the Muslim world.

Is it any wonder the Muslim world is such a backwards shite-hole? Is it any wonder why Muslims have produced nothing of value for the world, other than oil, in the last, what, 400-500 years? Hint, it's your obsession with religion. Get over it.

Wow, you really do not know

Wow, you really do not know nothing. You are talking about a Muslim world that bring nothing. Wow Mr. Blind, read the history and may be you'll understand. I am really surprise that you can use such impolite words in such type of discussion. It is may be the level of the civilized world you are claiming that you are coming from. What a Civilized world producing people like you, What a sick society that educate you how to speak and interact. Hope that you better end your life or otherwise it is not worth it!
Sam

Just another episode in the

Just another episode in the Decline and Fall of Western Civilization. There's much to do if we are going to halt this gathering train. But here's a start: friends don't let friends become Muslim!

And its about time we showed members of the Religion of Peace what we really think of Mohammed. I propose that all public bathrooms use urinal cakes done in the likeness of the Prophet.

Norway Apologizes over Muhammad Cartoons

I am sorry, I didnt mention to wake up to what...
Once people wake up to the fact that we are being manipulated towards a global one world leadership, etc, as put out by marxism and communism, perhaps then people will do something. This is why I said to look up the fabian society, Marxism, club of Rome, etc on the net. Unfortunately Islam is also doing the same thing they are using our own protections and laws,against us. Most of the left winged leaders have membership with the fabian society...

Norway Apologizes over Muhammad Cartoons

As I feel that many Muslims dont know what is really in their own books, Let me add a few verses to the ones above. Dont forget that any non muslim is the enemy of Islam whether he is fighting them or not. They try to tell us it is a spiritual fight, but when they take captives, slaughter, and torture, I cannot see how that is spiritual.Ishaq:470 “We attacked them fully armed, swords in hand, cutting through heads and skulls.” Qur’an 61:4 “Surely Allah loves those who fight in His Cause.” Muslim:C9B1N33 “The Prophet said: ‘I have been commanded to fight against people till they testify there is no god but Allah, that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and they establish prostration prayer, and pay Zakat. If they do it, their blood and property are protected.’” Qur’an 2:193 “Fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief) and religion is only for Allah. But if they cease/desist, let there be no hostility except against infidel disbelievers.” Ishaq:280 “The Apostle prepared for war in pursuance of Allah’s command to fight his enemies and to fight the infidels who Allah commanded him to fight.” Qur'an sura 47, 4”...'When you encounter those [infidels] who deny [the Truth=Islam] then strike [their] necks' VIII/12: When thy Lord inspired the angels (saying:) I am with you. So make those who believe stand firm. I will throw fear into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Then smite the necks and smite of them each finger. Here one can clearly see that the Quran is openly saying to the muslims to give a torturous death to those who are non-believers of the Islamic faith. Qur’an 9:5 “Fight and kill the disbelievers wherever you find them, take them captive, harass them, lie in wait and ambush them using every stratagem of war.” Tabari IX:115 “The military expeditions (Ghazawat) in which the Messenger personally participated were twenty-six. Some say there were twenty-seven.” Tabari IX:118 “The armies and raiding parties sent by the Messenger of Allah between the time he came to Medina and his death (ten years) was forty-eight.” Ishaq:322 “I will cast terror into the hearts of those who reject Me. So strike off their heads and cut off their fingers. All who oppose Me and My Prophet shall be punished severely.” Qur’an 13:41 “Do they not see Us advancing from all sides into the land (of the disbelievers), reducing its borders (by giving it to believers in war victories)?” Bukhari:V4B53N386 “Umar sent Muslims to great countries to fight pagans. He said, ‘I intend to invade Persia and Rome.’ So, he ordered us to go to [the Persian King] Khosrau. When we reached the enemy, Khosrau’s representative came out with 40,000 warriors, saying, ‘Talk to me! Who are you?’ Mughira replied, ‘We are Arabs; we led a hard, miserable, disastrous life. We used to worship trees and stones. While we were in this state, our Prophet, the Messenger of our Lord, ordered us to fight you till you worship Allah Alone or pay us the Jizyah tribute tax in submission.Qur’an 8:12 “I shall terrorize the infidels. So wound their bodies and incapacitate them because they oppose Allah and His Apostle.” Qur’an 8:67 “It is not fitting for any prophet to have prisoners until he has made a great slaughtered in the land.” Tabari VIII:116/Ishaq:511 “So Muhammad began seizing their herds and their property bit by bit. He conquered home by home. The Messenger took some people captive, including Safiyah and her two cousins. The Prophet chose Safiyah for himself.” Bukhari:V5B59N512 “The Prophet had their men killed, their children and woman taken captive.” Qur’an 33:26 “Allah made the Jews leave their homes by terrorizing them so that you killed some and made many captive. And He made you inherit their lands, their homes, and their wealth. He gave you a country you had not traversed before.” Qur’an 59:2 “It was Allah who drove the [Jewish] People of the Book from their homes and into exile. They refused to believe and imagined that their strongholds would protect them against Allah. But Allah came at them from where they did not suspect, and filled their hearts with terror. Their homes were destroyed. So learn a lesson, O men who have eyes. This is My warning…they shall taste the torment of Fire.” Tabari VIII:143 “In this year a twenty-four man raiding party led by Shuja went to the Banu Amir. He launched a raid on them and took camels and sheep. The shares of booty came to fifteen camels for each man. Also a raid led by Amr went to Dhat. He set out with fifteen men. He encountered a large force whom he summoned to Islam. They refused to respond so he killed all of them.” Bukhari:V4B52N256 “The Prophet passed by and was asked whether it was permissible to attack infidels at night with the probability of exposing their women and children to danger He went and raided by night, while the people were sleeping, sure sounds like going to war against the enemy eh...

Norway Apologizes over Muhammad Cartoons

One person wrote... IT IS TIME FOR A POLITICAL REVOLUTION BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE. THERE ARE STILL "MEN" LEFT IN THE WEST WHO WILL GIVE THEIR LIVES FOR TRUE FREEDOM. He said that the left are cowards,, what he doesnt realise is that all this was planned 200 or so years ago,, look up the fabian society, the club of roam, and communisum, Karl marx ties to satanism, they are all part and parcel of the same thing,,and thanks to the media they are winning..and yes good will win, but not until people wake up to this..

Planned

until people wake up to this.

To WHAT exactly?

Bob Doney

allah wa akbar we should

allah wa akbar we should keep going protesting it is our right isnt written in most of the europpen law thsi is our way..and we are obliged by boycutting all the norwigean and danisg products hit them where it hurt most make the oil barrel 200$ for these europpen junkee .....we will keep protesting and making noise....in holland they celabrated the first trio marriage and that is ok why becuase they are white arian europpen peolple but muslims they are barberian becuase they have the right to marry four...ahhh but what descrimination comes from the europpen it ok

Making noise

we will keep protesting and making noise

Yes, great, isn't it, to be able to protest and make a noise. I think all governments should allow lots of protest and noise. Do you agree?

Bob Doney

The letter, first draft

I am sorry that the publication of a few cartoons in the Norwegian paper Magazinet has caused unrest among Muslims. I fully understand that these drawings are seen to give offence by Muslims worldwide, even if Muslims are never offended by what is written in their Quran and in the hadiths about the often vile life of their dear leader. Islam is a spiritual reference point for a large part of the world (The most screwed up part of it, but that is never their fault, of course), and your hate and anger is fine because you are not part of Western societies, so we cannot expect you to behave like civilized folks. Your faith has the right to be respected by us no matter what, and you have a right to murder us, take our children as slaves, torture our men and rape our women, just like in the good old days of Mohammed.

The cartoons in the Christian paper Magazinet are not constructive in building the
bridges which are necessary between people with different religious and ethnic backgrounds. Instead they contribute to suspicion and unnecessary conflict, or worse, may even cause some of us to think about the effect of Islam on Western liberties. On the other hand, threats, bombs, beheadings, rape and murder are very constructive, because they make so many of us into craving cowards - as you may have noticed.

Let it be clear that the Norwegian government condemns every expression or act which expresses contempt for people on the basis of their religion or ethnic origin, except those practiced by Muslims, of course. Norway has always supported the fight of the UN against religious intolerance and racism, except when it pertains to religious intolerance and racism practiced by Muslims. The Norwegian government believes that this act of cowardly surrender is important in order to avoid suspicion and conflict, and to avoid an honest anaylis of this issue. Tolerance, mutual respect and dialogue are the basis values of Norwegian society and of our foreign policy, but we recognize that these same values are incompatible with Islam, and so cannot be applied to acts by Muslims.

Freedom of expression is one of the pillars of Norwegian society. This includes tolerance for opinions that not everyone shares, except for Muslims, who do not have to respect others. At the same time our laws and our international obligations enforce restrictions for incitement to hatred or hateful expressions. Please understand that we have no problem with either the preaching of hate by Imams in the Mosques or even killing infidels - since these are outside our laws and obligations. Once again we want to make it clear that we do not expect Muslims to abide by the same laws and criteria that we demand from non-Muslims.

Mr. Terrorist, please be nice to us.

Signed....
Jonas Vidkun Quisling Støre

If this issue was about

If this issue was about Christianity instead of Islam I bet the Norwegian socialist government wouldn't have said one word.

Meanwhile, as far as I know, the Norwegian government hasn't condemned the threats directed against Magazinet including death threats. Nor have Norwegian Muslim leaders. But if this was the other way around...