Danish Paper Apologizes. Dutch Cartoon on Its Way

An article by Hjörtur Gudmundsson (with Filip van Laenen and Paul Belien)

Carsten Juste, the editor of Jyllands-Posten, has apologized on behalf of his newspaper for offending Muslims by publishing twelve Muhammad cartoons last September (see them here, halfway the page). Previously (as in his open letter to the Saudis) Mr Juste had only “regretted” it, without using the word “apology.” Mr Juste emphasizes, however, that he apologizes for offending people, but not for publishing the cartoons. He explains that for the sake of freedom of expression he cannot apologize for publishing them. He says that Jyllands-Posten has not changed its position on the publication as such. “We believe that if we would go out and apologize [for the publication] then the dictators in the Middle East would decide what we should publish in our newspaper. That is of course totally unacceptable,” Juste told the Danish news agency Ritzau.

In an editorial, published in Jyllands-Posten yesterday evening, the editor writes:

“In our opinion the 12 cartoons were moderate and not intended to be insulting. They did not go against Danish laws, but have evidently offended many Muslims, for which we apologize. Meanwhile a couple of offending cartoons have circulated in the Muslim world which were never published in Jyllands-Posten and which we would never have published if they had been offered to us. We would have dismissed them on the grounds that they breached our ethical limits.”

Mr Juste added that Jyllands-Posten prides itself on having high ethical standards. He said that therefore it was especially tragic that those additional cartoons are being presented as if they have something to do with the newspaper.

As The Brussels Journal reported earlier radical Danish Muslim organizations toured the Arab world three weeks ago and themselves added three additional pictures to the original twelve. One of them shows Muhammad as a pedophile demon, another the prophet with a pigsnout, while the third one depicts a praying Muslim being raped by a dog. These pictures had been intentionally added by Muslim radicals in order to incite antipathy towards Denmark, or, as they themselves put it, to “give an insight in how hateful the atmosphere in Denmark is towards Muslims.” Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen commented that he was “speechless” at such behaviour from “people whom we have given the right to live in Denmark.”

Meanwhile former US President Bill Clinton has condemned the publication of the (twelve original) cartoons at a conference in Qatar. He called them “appalling” and “totally outrageous” and warned of rising anti-Islamic prejudice in Europe, which he compared to Europe’s historic anti-Semitism. Mr Clinton was the American president who spent his time in the Oval Office smoking cigars which he had first placed in peculiar locations.

 

Norway

Yesterday Muslim outrage over the cartoons led to an armed raid on the EU offices in Gaza. Terrorist groups threatened Scandinavian officials and demanded that they leave Palestine at once, despite the EU’s donation of $338 million per year to Palestine, a donation which includes money from Danish taxpayers. All over Palestine Danish and Norwegians flags have been burned in protest against the publication of the cartoons. In addition to Jyllands-Posten three Norwegian papers also published the cartoons: Magazinet, Aftenposten and Dagbladet.

While the pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli Norwegian government was quick to apologize, even before apologies were demanded, this has not prevented Muslims from boycotting Norwegian products. Meanwhile Magazinet journalist Vebjørn Selbekk has already received more than twenty death threats. Mr Selbekk and his family are now under police protection.

Unlike the Norwegian government, Per Edgar Kokkvold of the Norwegian press association Norsk Presseforbund defended the right of Magazinet and the other papers to publish the cartoons. Anne Lene Dale Sandsten, the spokesperson of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, declared that the ministry never apologized for the publication of the cartoons, but only for the unrest they have caused. Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre claims that “since no leading Norwegian paper has published the cartoons” the Norwegian press has shown its sense of responsibility. However, though Magazinet is a small Christian paper, Aftenposten is Norway’s second largest paper and its leading quality newspaper, while Dagbladet is the third largest paper in the country, read by a quarter of the Norwegian adult population.

Yesterday Yasser Najjar, the Palestinian ambassador to Oslo, said that those who published the cartoons were asking for a “war of civilizations.” He said that freedom of speech does not allow one to “insult 1.3 billion Muslims.” The cartoons, he said, are not the expression of an opinion but pure provocation. “Our Prophet cannot be humiliated. I do not believe a Muslim has ever said anything negative about Christianity or Jesus Christ.”

Media commentator Henrik Færevåg, however, declared that Norway should reconsider its financial aid to Palestine. The Norwegians have been “stupid idiots” to give more subsidies to Palestine than Saudi Arabia, he said. If the Palestinians cannot tolerate Norway’s freedom of speech they should not accept its money either.

Though the twelve Muhammad cartoons are pretty mild, except perhaps for two of them (which are also mild by Western standards), Muslims are offended by the simple fact of depicting their prophet. According to Islam it is blasphemy to draw Muhammad. Nevertheless the Mohammed Image Archive shows many depictions of the prophet throughout history, some of them apparently made by Muslims.

CagleJihad.gif

The Netherlands

In an article in the Amsterdam newspaper De Volkskrant today Dutch cartoonists admit that they do not depict Muhammad out of fear for violent retaliations. “It is a kind of self-censorship,” Stefan Verwey admits. “I have large windows and would rather keep them intact,” says Peter de Wit, while Joep Bertrams concedes. “It causes a lot of problems. Why throw oil on the fire?”

Other cartoonists, however, who have asked to remain anonymous, think that Western artist should not allow themselves to be intimidated and propose an international “Draw Muhammad Week.” Next month a book will be out in the Netherlands which contains a cartoon by Gregorius Nekschot [a pseudonym] of the prophet “in a compromising pose” with his child-wife Aisha.

Will the Netherlands soon be on the Muslims’ boycott list as well? And will Belgium, Germany, Britain and the United States because bloggers in these countries are republishing the Jyllands-Posten cartoons, as well as other pictures of Muhammad?

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

Update:

Dutch Police Arrests Cartoonist, 16 May 2008

Yep, I intend to take out a

Yep, I intend to take out a whole bunch of people when I die (hopefully not now!!! I'm not done corrupting people!!!). Believe me, I'll take out all the suckers out there and painfully kill them. Damn religion!! Damn it all!!!! Except for xmas.. Presents!!! Lots of them too!! Why don't people want to celebrate xmas? Presents are great!!!!

 

All Hail... ME!!!

If I get dragged away for

If I get dragged away for not worshipping (which I don't to.. Except for maybe Satan...jk) I would rather kill myself that following orders out of a book!!! Shame that people can't just live in peace and just leave everyone alone. Thats how I live!!! And its great!! (Except for the odd murder of a teacher cuz they gave me a bad grade....kidding, I'm not that mean ;))

To Mistaken4u

I know exactly what you mean.. believe me! *smile and wink* but when I kill myself as they are dragging me away.. believe me I intend to take them with me, they will of course descend into their hell.. because I am going to be chanting MY religion the whole time. now that will drive them crazy! hehehe!

Odin be Praised! Baldur Save Us!

Religion has always made

Religion has always made people hate other people. I find that stupid, stop arguing over religion and get a life. Life isn't all about religion maybe one day people will realize this and shut up about it

Re: religion has always made

Yes religion has always made people hate each other.. but the whole point is that THEY are trying to shove THEIR religion down all our throats, and if everyone sits back and lets them; mayhaps one day as you are just minding your own business getting a life as you say. You will have your door kicked in and the sharia police willbe there to arrest you and drag you away for NOT worshipping!

Odin be Praised! Baldur Save Us!

armagdon

u all can go ask jewsih rabis about armagdon

to this fool blukate

to this foolish blukat..you insist to show not only you rfoolishness but also your ignorance to the end .
if u say muslims worship allah which is not god of jews and christians.if u mean that christians worship the christ and the cross..that is ok...as muslims worship the god of the christ himself mr fool.
do u know jews call god Hashem and hashem is an arabic name used as names for males .
for anyone here who want to listen and have mind,
muslism worship the god of the universe.whatever his name is allah or hashem .
muslims call ahhal by othe r names whcih allah used in quran to refer himself such as the most mercifull, the most forgiver , the most compassionate..
of course u mr fool has no mind to understand or even comprehend such thing as u have blind heart an d mind

To Sobieski From a Canadian Muslim

Your saying that British Muslims are unemployed, dont have a decent way of life and are usually cab drivers.  Well your wrong.  My uncle and cousins in the UK have had a successful business for a long time.  They have leather factories in the UK and stores also.  They ship mangoes from India themselves and sell them in the UK.  They are very rich and prosperous people.  And its not just them.  Most of my other relatives who moved from India not the Middle-East to India are very prosperous with a few acceptions.  I think you have got your facts wrong about the unemployment rate in the UK.  More and more jobs are being taken by the muslims and are equally shared with the others in the country.  Also, to the others. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world.  And the speed has boosted since 9/11 and is still going at a faster then usual pace.  Im sorry but the -----'s plan did not go as planned.  The muslim numbers are increasing because more and more people are researching on the our religion.  And after realising that it is the most suited and best religion will they join.  They dont just go and pick any from a list.  I will be posting again as I read through the comments. 

I just remembered.  It think this was asked by Anonomous11,

Maybe you can help clear something up for me,
why are Christians - or people of any non-Muslim denomination for that matter - expected to observe the Muslim commandment - for lack of a better word - that you cannot depict the prophet?
Why should WE adhere to Muslim doctrine and tradition? It seems to me that you should be equally outraged to see us eating pork, drinking, or neglecting to pray 5 times a day and yet that does not seem to be the case. I'm honestly wondering why and I hope you can clarify this for me and others.

We are outraged by the number of people eating pork including those muslims who do not know they are.  This is the reason we are trying to increase awareness to the muslims about pork.  We only express the fact of praying 5 times daily to muslims as we are told.  And we try to introduce people to Islam.  And this is not the Muslim Commandment.  The rejection of eating pork is stated in the Torah for the Jews and also cirtain sections of the Bibal (for instance by Michael...and so on...I still dont understand that concept but I will try to)...it is your choice if you want to be ignorant and eat it.  Atleast the Jews acknoledge that eating Pork is not right. But the Christians, they by pass that part not carring at all and have totally forgotten bout it as time went by.  The depiction of the prophet is forbidden because it will lead to Idolatry as it had done in the past.  But the fact that you are not only depicting him(which is a total false image since you dont even know how he looked like) but the major impact was you were insulting him therefore insulting the majority of teh billions of Muslims in the world.  We are just requesting you to respect our doctrine and tradition.  And by not feeding students in school products with pork is not gonna hurt the students.  It will just allow the Muslims to eat safely without worry.  The non-Muslims dont have any worries anyway.  I hope this cleared up things for you.  And these are just my opinions and facts that I know.  You can reject them if you like.  Noone is stopping you.

Ignorance is pork

it is your choice if you want to be ignorant and eat it

Why is it ignorant to eat pork? I knew lots of people who died from smoking. I knew a few people who died in road accidents. I don't know of anyone who died from eating pork.

Many Muslim countries have appalling road safety records. Might be better to concentrate on that rather than the pork. We have fridges and food hygiene regulations nowadays.

Bob Doney

Muslims are intolerant

Why should any non-muslims care if they commit blasphemy as it is described in the quran?

According to the quran, ALL christians commit blasphemy because they worship Jesus. Muslims say that's blasphemy because the quran says there is no God but "Allah". Therefore, according to the quran, if you follow the teachings of the Bible you believe Jesus is God. The quran teaches that is blasphemy.

Why do we have to tip toe around because a bunch of wild eyed, blood thirsty muslims might get offended?

If they don't like our cartoons, they don't have to read our newspapers. It's that simple. They can go on reading their islamic rags that pander to their hyper sensitivities, illusions about themselves and their fanatical religious beliefs.

The rest of us will NOT submit to their religion. NEVER.

Islam is evil. They need to get with the program and ditch the satanic verses of the quran. There is not one redeeming word in the quran. It's a recipe for hatred and violence.

Islam is Comprehensive

My friend Mike, first of all let me tell you one thing that Holy Quran is no where mentioning for any group of followers commiting, " Blasphemy ". I don't want to convince you that you go and open Holy Quran and read such and such verse. No, you need not to, but answer my one question that " Have we ( Muslims ) ever mentioned any where a bad language for the religion Christianity or Jews, or your Holy book BIBLE ". I am sure if you start searching right from today to prove , you may not find even a single comment on this.
Now I tell you the reason also, When Islam started spreading. It started with the soft speaches, debates and small conferences. By that time in Arabs all were Christians and Jews, so we ( Muslims ) were told through our book ( Holy Quran ) that they are the followers of the Messenger Hazrat Esaa A I ( Jesus Christ ), and Hazrat Esaa A I ( Jesus Christ ) was as respectable for Muslims as others Messengers from Allah ( God ).
So from that day when Islam was revealed on earth Hazrat Esaa A I ( Jesus Christ ) and their follwers are respectable for us, but same time in Holy Quran mentioned that teach them the right path and tell them that Hazrat Esaa A I ( Jesus Christ )is not the son of Allah but the Messenger and son of Hazrat Maryam A I ( Maria ).
So this is the same Quran that mention such thing a lot of time, So please my friend keep this thing in mind that Islam is comprehensive and told us about a lot of things but in beautiful and graceful manners.

Islam is BLASPHEMY

Mohammed was a FALSE prophet, therefore the faith that was built upon his writing (quran) is blasphemy.  Why would a true prophet commit murder?  Mohammed did.  Why would a true prophet make war?  Mohammed did.  Islam is lies... the quran is the Devil's work.  Period.  End of story.

to all people

Allah (God)

Islam is the complete submission and obedience to Allah (God). The name Allah (God) in Islam never refers to Muhammad (peace be upon him), as many Christians may think; Allah is the personal name of God.

What do Muslims believe about Allah?

1. He is the one God, Who has no partner.

2. Nothing is like Him. He is the Creator, not created, nor a part of His creation.

3. He is All-Powerful, absolutely Just.

4. There is no other entity in the entire universe worthy of worship besides Him.

5. He is First, Last, and Everlasting; He was when nothing was, and will be when nothing else remains.

6. He is the All-Knowing, and All-Merciful,the Supreme, the Sovereign.

7. It is only He Who is capable of granting life to anything.

8. He sent His Messengers (peace be upon them) to guide all of mankind.

9. He sent Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the last Prophet and Messenger for all mankind.

10. His book is the Holy Qur'an, the only authentic revealed book in the world that has been kept without change.

11. Allah knows what is in our hearts.

to mike

so now u relieved yourself..
ok as u like.

Cartoons

I wrote the Quran 1300 years ago. Times change! I'm hip now. I cheat on my 72 wives, smoke dope, subscribe to over 1000 porn web sites and love to go to Vegas. Things were different 1300 years ago. I implemented the veil because I was sick and tired of looking at my wives rotten teeth... and their breath... arghhhhhh... NASTY We didn't have Tic Tacs back then. I would have killed for a pack of Dentyn chewing gum. As for clothes, personally I like to see women wear a skimpy tube top. In fact, I like wearing them myself. Did I mention that you can frequently find me shopping at Victoria's Secret (but I still have trouble finding my size)? Next time you are there and you smell something foul near the dressing rooms... that could be me in there! Peace be upon you!

Cartoons

I wrote the Quran 1300 years ago. Times change! I'm hip now. I cheat on my 72 wives, smoke dope, subscribe to over 1000 porn web sites and love to go to Vegas. Things were different 1300 years ago. I implemented the veil because I was sick and tired of looking at my wives rotten teeth... and their breath... arghhhhhh... NASTY We didn't have Tic Tacs back then. I would have killed for a pack of Dentyn chewing gum. As for clothes, personally I like to see women wear a skimpy tube top. In fact, I like wearing them myself. Did I mention that you can frequently find me shopping at Victoria's Secret (but I still have trouble finding my size)? Next time you are there and you smell something foul near the dressing rooms... that could be me in there! Peace be upon you!

All praise the Sandmonkey

I would like to take the time to thank all the contributions in this forum, many are respectful others are not, some points are good, some are bad.....but it is all free speech. I stumbled upon a internet blog which really reflects my opinions about this conflict. God bless all religions

http://egyptiansandmonkey.blogspot.com/

All praise the Sandmonkey.

the bbc

The bbc news online asking for comments regarding the cartoons???

[How can I comment on the cartoons when the BBC is indulging in self censorship and does not display the cartoons - for me to form an opinion?
As a UK citizen I never thought the BBC would act so timidly your self censorship is hypocritical and is only matched in its absurdity by asking viewers for an opinion on something that you ban them from seeing in the first place. What is the BBC scared of – I challenge you to publish or loose your credibility.]

BBC

The bbc news online asking for comments regarding the cartoons

I've tried to post many times on the Beeb's forums, and got a very low strike rate. Was it something I said?

I did have Edwina Curry read out one of my emails on her late night Radio 5 show though!! She said I was "naughty". Ooer... takes one to know one.

Bob Doney

Great Cartoons at Cox and Forkum

Great site for editorial cartoons (yes, even poking fun at you extremist Islam fanatics)! Check out the first one poking fun at the Islamic image of today. They have brought this upon themselves, especially after their hissy fit about the Danish cartoons.

They will never, ever take away the freedom of speech, freedom of press, and yes, even freedom for cartoons!!! FREEDOM

www.coxandforkum.com

"They will never, ever take

"They will never, ever take away the freedom of speech, freedom of press, and yes, even freedom for cartoons!!! FREEDOM"

I loved you in "Braveheart". ;)

Those cartoonists seem pretty talented by the way.

Freedom of Speech and Respect

I believe that whilst it is all good to support freedom of speech, we must not lose sight of what purpose freedom of speech serves. Freedom of speech ensures that anyone can speak his/her opinion and be heard. Hence, everyone opinion is RESPECTED. Even if we disagree with something, we RESPECT that a person has a different opinion.

Freedom of Speech in cases like these cartoons, are just a form of blatant DISRESPECT towards muslims in the community. Infact, in a way it is inciting religious hatred.

On the one hand, the western world is quick to point out that it doesnt want Islamophobia to spread, on the other hand acts like these are only going to help in distancing and alienating muslims further from the community.

I think this is the issue at which the debate should be focused as this is what the concrete and lasting effect of it would be.

er, no.

My opinion is that all Muslims living in Europe, who were born on a Tuesday, should pay a special tax for the purpose of providing free spinach flavored ice cream, which is known to cure cancer in people who additionaly stimulate their immune system by kissing their pet iguanas.

Now while others of you may scoff, Naveed Naz, at least, will respect my opinion.

CARTOON NEWSFLASH

Apparently Europian Newspapers are finally coming out in support of Jyllands-Posten FINALLY! Spain, Italy, Germany and even France have printed them!

Italy and Spain publish some Muhammad cartoons also
http://www.jihadwatch.org/dhimmiwatch/archives/009993.php#comments

Boycott Germany! Die Welt reprints some of the Muhammad cartoons
http://www.jihadwatch.org/dhimmiwatch/archives/009992.php#comments

French Daily Publishes Prophet Mohammed's Cartoons
http://www.jihadwatch.org/dhimmiwatch/archives/009988.php#comments

Muslims: Please Leave the West

To all muslims that are so offended by western culture, PLEASE LEAVE.

Go and live where you wont be outraged by the western infidels.

LEAVE THE WEST. GO BACK TO YOUR ISLAMIC COUNTRIES. Why are you here? You don't want us, we certainly don't want you.

Western society can get along much better without you. History has proven this! We have NEVER NEEDED YOU!

You come here with nothing and demand everything. You offer us NOTHING but violence, rage, crime and constant complaints about our way of life.

We are paying taxes to support people who hate us. Nobody wants this, or you, anymore. Please get as far as away humanly possible.

Go back to your deserts and your car bombings and hotel bombings and video beheadings and kidnappings and "honor" killings and your so-called sharia law... PLEASE LEAVE NOW.

GTFO!!

to mr gorden

Sureeee the west dont need us cuz the west is too wicked to need us n truly the history has prooved it u r right :) u see how the wet stole australian n america from its orignal ppl n the history knows how the west treated those poor aboriginals
The wicked west defently rnt in need of islaam  thankk GOD for dat n thanx for mentining ur great history lol I wonder how much u love hitler n his kind cuz that is ur west n as far as telling us muslims that we bring nothing to u than think abt that once again because we do bring one of the most important thing that the west greatly lacks n that is morals , n as far as tellingt us to get out of the west once again the east the west the north n south belongs to ALMIGHTY GOD so who r u to tell us to leave???????? Yoooo we wont leave never n if u got the gutstry kicking us out ))))))))))) <<<<<<<<>>>>>>
no offence to the decent westerners peace

from nermin to Mr Hitler (gordon)

Hello Mr Hitler , you really sounded like him ..i wonder is genocide and racial discrimination is present in your genes..sure it is ..because you are the people who burned the jews and you who had black history of supporting apartheid in south Africa and you are the white who eradicate the native people of America and you are the one who launched crusade wars for over 400 years by the support of the corrupted church and its men…to kill both jews and muslims who lives away away from your western countries…I really feel pity for you..with all that balcknesss inside your heart how can you live …..you can ask American about the contribution of tehmuslims and arabs now in its life and how one of them called ahmed zewl own the nobel prize alone in chemistry .you can go to UK or france and see that half doctors thee are arabs or muslims..wake up…ex president clintion said yesterday that attck against muslims and islam reminds him of anti-Semitism against jews. I ask you do you dare to publish cartons about those who worship cows .do you..of course not because your black heart hate and aim to hurt only muslims and islam with total ignorance. you are brain wshed by your media. Can you reply to me of course not

Flawed logic nermin...

He wants all muslims out of his country and you compare him to hitler? he didn't say kill all muslims, he just said go home. but since you are muslim and they are by nature easily offended when we tell you to get out of our country you respond by comparing us to hitler while you bomb our innocent citizins.

this is what the muslims encourage and preach to their people every day. death to the infidels, specifically non-believers who offend us.

to shamly serving in iraq from nermin

and what you are proud of Mr proudly serving in iraq...proud taht you kill there innocent peopel who has no official army .what are you doing there..what are you doing in that land and people you hate most..why you donot get out first from our countries to get from yours....i heard that american soldiers in iraq suffer from psychological disturbances.. you are proud of being miles away from your homeland..waht are you doing in that desert you mock..telll me or you canpay your life to kill as much number as you can from muslims......islam increase in europe not by those who work there but th enative white inhabitant..wake up or your are crazy war

I'm not in the military....

I never said I was a soldier. I'm a civilian construction worker. I help build schools, hospitals, and other public facilities here for the iraqi's. but muslims are killing my co-workers even though i'm trying to help them.

muslims and the nobel prize.....

The nobel prize has been around since 1901 and only THREE muslims have won it. There are more american WOMEN that have won the nobel prize than all the muslim nobel prize winners combined. and america has only been around for a few hundred years.

so winning the nobel prize isn't all that impressive. tell us what else muslims have done for the world? other than bombing innocent people.

And what have u done apart

And what have u done apart from steeling our resourses and occupying our countries for decades. For my fellow muslims, come on stop argueing, we dont have to defend ourselves the journal apologised, the primeminister apologised and we got what we wanted. These people have respect for nothing, they dont get what we mean, they do and say whatever they want in the name of dimocracy and free speech.They change and switch their religious believes according to their will. By the way, iam lost now do you have divorce or no in your religion? your churchs are accepting gay marriage now isnt it?

Doctors

you can go to UK or france and see that half doctors thee are arabs or muslims

Can you provide a source or evidence for this statement?

Bob Doney

to Mr Bob from nermin

i have been in Uk mr Bob , please go and ask ..go kings collage hospital and see the percent of british doctors there ,then tell me

UK doctors

go kings collage hospital and see the percent of british doctors there ,then tell me

I'm very pleased that you have been to the UK, Nermin. I am also pleased that you know Kings College Hospital, which is 50 yards from where my son used to live and where my grandson was born. However, I have to tell you that Kings College Hospital is not typical of Britain as a whole. And although a lot of the doctors there are of foreign origin, many of them are Chinese, Indian (some will be Muslim, but others will be Hindu, Sikh etc), or from other European countries and other non-Muslim, non-Arab parts of the world.

Your claim is that half of the doctors in Britain are Muslim or Arab. I find that improbable, and I asked what evidence you could provide for it. I suspect that you can't. And that you can't for a lot of the other wild generalisations you have made on this site in the last few days.

I'm sorry if this is all a bit boring and pedantic, but sometimes that's the only way to get at the truth of things.

Bob Doney

fine Mr Bob from nermin

at least you now had to admitt that majority of doctors in UK are non british..thi s is enough for me....i know the rest...why kings colege is non typical british hospital..i staht because i only mentioned it...and how doyou know which one i have inmind...there is one in east dulich ..south east london too..and others

Hospital admission

at least you now had to admitt that majority of doctors in UK are non british..thi s is enough for me....i know the rest...why kings colege is non typical british hospital..i staht because i only mentioned it...and how doyou know which one i have inmind...there is one in east dulich

I didn't "admit" that the majority of doctors in the UK are non-British, because I don't know. I think it's unlikely. You haven't provided any evidence.

Funnily enough my son moved from next door to Kings College Hospital to East Dulwich. Are you following him around?

The London teaching hospitals are not typical, and are more likely to attract doctors from around the world. And hospitals are more likely to employ foreign doctors than, say, local family practitioners.

Bob Doney

Oh dear

Nermin, your assertion that Muslims command the heights of European professions is, frankly, absurd. You have provided no evidence to back this beyond "go ask", which is frankly not good enough.

Here's some evidence of my own, from the 2001 British census, that should debunk your ideas that Muslims are the cream of British society: Muslims have the highest unemployment, least education, worst health, are the least likely to own their own homes, and, most damningly for your bizarre ideas, are both the most likely to be working in unskilled jobs and the least least likely to be working in high-skilled professions.

And Britain has the most successful Muslim community in Western Europe! The picture is even bleaker elsewhere.

explanation for Muslim poverty, ignorance, and disease

Within the Muslim culture, the Quran is considered to be the actual living word of God and not to be tampered with. Dictates from within this book must be taken with utmost seriousness. Any contradictions are not tolerated. To do so is to contradict God. To Muslims, it is a “killing” offense. Nor are Muslims nor even non-Muslims allowed to criticize the Quran in any way whatsoever.

It is thought that all questions can be answered by the Quran. Therefore, using backward thinking, only questions that can be answered by the Quran should be asked. This is a problem from a secular point of view as there is little in that holy book about physics, chemistry, geology, biology, engineering, astronomy, or for that matter, virtually any study of any subject other than the Quran itself and it’s and man’s relationship to God.

With this sort of importance given to the book, Muslim society then elevates those who make the study of the Quran into the highest level of their society. Those who are recognized as the greatest scholors of the Quran are also the most reverred people within Muslim society.
This leads to some problems! For a young Muslim man then, the position of highest regard he can hope to attain in life is as a religious scholor. He is taught that all questions asked by man can be answered by thoughtful study of the Quran. In Muslim society generally as in all others, there are goals that young men strive to achieve in hopes of receiving recognition by the society around them. Therefore, he isn’t going to study electrical engineering, biology, and so on. Those won’t offer him the position in life he desires; and in a Muslim’s life the afterlife seems to mean even more than anything here on earth. Therefore he has two primary and very powerful reasons for being interested only in studying the Quran.

So what is he required to study? He needs to be able to read—that’s it. Next he’s required to memorize every word. No arguments are allowed, so creative thinking is discouraged. A person only able to read, and who only reads a religious book is seriously under-educated by todays standards. This however, is normal in the Muslim world (other than among so called Moderate Muslims or those who would describe themselves as secular).
Within these societies all energies are devoted to religious life. They have little interest in government and as a consequence have bad government. They aren't entreprenureal or inventive so there are few businesses that actually create something. Traditionally Arab society earned money acting as intermediaries between the East and the West, but produced few products themselves. To the extent that Muslim societies have managed to prosper at all one would have to credit their police state governments who have been very un-Islamic generally in daily practice and have managed to work with the West over the years to some degree. In a purely fundamentalist State operating under Sharia, these governments would not have such freedoms.Those secular schools that do exist now would be forced to change their curriculum and likely would be unable to teach any subject not fully supported by the Mullahs. There goes biology, chemistry, physics etc.
Muslims are already the poorest, least educated, people that are an identifiable group on earth. It would only get worse under the fundamentalists as they would push these forces even further. Think of Afganistan under the Taliban!

to Sobieski from nermin

i have been there Mr.i said to Mr Bob go and ask in kings college hospital because he is British and live near london..then where r u from to know about britian......have you heard about Dr Magdi yacob who got sir title from the present queean of england....you donot know everything ...donot u...i just give examples...only me know a big list of my own colleagues and friends who live now in USA and UK afyterbeing tempted by high salries and 5 years contract to work..but to relief you many of them will return home because you made it hell for them to live there.

Not getting anywhere really...

This debate appears to me to be nothing more than cultural mud-slinging. Grow up people. This has nothing to do with 12 stupid illustrations - it's sheer manipulation. It's politics. It's always politics, open your eyes. And TM is right - Original Islam has to do with love, respect, spirituality and sharing - just like christianity, just like most faiths. Muslim radicals are very poor representatives for their own faith. The manipulators have everybody just where they want them - at each others throat. Not the first time in history. I'm a Brit/Dane living in Denmark. I support any free press to print anything they want - If muslim radicals her don't like it, they are free to use the courts to decide whether they have been subject to blasphemy. This is their right in a free democratic society. Radical muslims in Denmark count approx. 5% or less of the muslim population. Sometimes feelings get hurt - it can't be helped in a free world - true faith should be strong enough to withstand ridicule or satire.

muslims in the west....

so your friends left the middle east because they could make more money in the west? so much for the middle east being superior to the west.

while they were in the west did your friends get taxed for being non-christian or non-catholic? only in the middle east do non-muslims get taxed for what they believe. once again, islam is not a tolerant religion.

Give it up

Are there successful Muslims in Britain or in other Western European nations? Yes. No one is denying that. Are these successful people the exception rather than the rule? Yes, they are.

Look, either come up with some plausible numbers from a real source (which you won't be able to do) or just admit that you were wrong to say that most doctors are Muslim, and that Muslims are the most successful and educated people in Europe (which I have just conclusively proved is false).

Saying "go look for yourself" or "I know a lot of people" is meaningless. Find real numbers and facts to disprove me, or stop harping on about this point.

When you are in a hole, stop digging.

(I am English, by the way).

to Sobieski

of course i cannot provide you with documents these thinghs are not found in documents as well as the mistakes of british doctors increases by 50 % you will not find a document for it.....but it i senough for me taht you admittt that muslims in europe are working in high jobs ...but you say it is teh exception ..of course thisis the usual mind of the white european man who always thinks taht he is superior to others...
i read in a boook written by you that th e english sees himself as an english as if he won th e ist prize in lottery ( comparin to other nations).....well done...me too i feel myself as muslim woman win th efirst prize in life and after life Mr english man

Laughable

Of course you can't find any documents proving your point because they don't exist, because you are wrong.

Go back to my post up the thread entitled "Oh Dear", click on the hyper-links I have included, and you will see all the information that proves that I am right and that you are talking nonsense.

This is not rocket science. I am not making this up. Muslims are, for the most part, not successful either here or in other parts of Europe. If you refuse to believe this even when I have provided conclusive evidence, then there really is nothing further to discuss.

What is untrue does not become true just because you dislike the reality.

Questions for Muslim posters

I think you may have missed this post so I'm taking the liberty of repeating my comment:

To Nernin (or any Muslim who feels like answering):
Maybe you can help clear something up for me,
why are Christians - or people of any non-Muslim denomination for that matter - expected to observe the Muslim commandment - for lack of a better word - that you cannot depict the prophet?
Why should WE adhere to Muslim doctrine and tradition? It seems to me that you should be equally outraged to see us eating pork, drinking, or neglecting to pray 5 times a day and yet that does not seem to be the case. I'm honestly wondering why and I hope you can clarify this for me and others.

Oh, and, Nernin: You asked if we dared to publish cartoons that mock "those who worship cows", which I took to mean Hindus even though they merely revere the cow and to some extent consider them religious symbols.They don't worship them.
The answer to your question is yes: No belief is or should be exempt from criticism or satire and thus historically virtually every god or deity has been depicted and been subject to satire and, yes, in some cases ridicule. This is true of Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Islam.

from nermin to whom posteQuestions for Muslim d

ooh your are mixing things up in weird way..noone an di again say noone ,no muslim ever ask you to do islam pillars ..this is foolishness ..can you provide me from where did you get these silly ideas..what any Muslim says is that you respect other people faiths even if you donot believe in them or in anything…I cannot mock hindu for example…I know that are secular countries and you are away from any religions long time ago.but if you are free to do or believe let other believe …but you want all people to be like you..we certain values and moral that we cherish and it is nonsense to speak or argue with people who donot believe in god while have..the gap is tremendously big between us….you think you are the right side and of course I think the same….i laughed a lot when I watched a program of Barbara walters with a protestant priest. she asked him if prostitute and gays have the chance to goto heaven he said yes if they believe in christ as god and as savior .she asked him what about the jews and muslims will they shave the chance to go heaven too he replied no they donot as they donot believe in Christ the redeemer and savior as god..hhah very funny..this explain a lot..every side says he is the only side will go to heaven…so why you criticize us…any way this universe has a god ,,one god ,the creator who has no son and no partners .he wil judge between us sooner than you think.

In response to Nermin

Thanks for getting back to me.

"ooh your are mixing things up in weird way"
Actually, I'm not. Please don't put words in my mouth.
I never argued that Muslims were demanding that we complete the five pillars of Islam, what I'm saying is that you're apparently demanding that we conform to a commandment that does not exist in Christian and Western tradition, i.e. the ban against depicting Muhammed, even though we are not Muslims.
Building on that, I wondered how and if this depiction differentiates itself from other Muslim requirements such as the prohibition of eating pork or drinking since the fact that Westerners engage in these things does not seem to cause similar outrage. In short, why does it not bother you that we do not adhere to these particular, Muslim laws while depicting Muhammed creates such outrage? How are they different? And why do you expect us to abide by some Muslim rules and not others?
Or have I misunderstood you? Is your problem not so much with the depiction of Muhammed by infidels per se, but rather the somewhat disrespectful way he's being PORTRAYED in these cartoons, e.g. with a bomb in his turban? If THAT is the case I can understand you better, but if it's a religious requirement you wish to impose on Westerners, i.e. you can't depict Muhammed, PERIOD, then I don't.

I'd like to hear if it's the one or the other.

"I watched a program of Barbara walters with a protestant priest."
Somehow I don't think you're the first person to get a cuckle out of Barbara Walters...
As for the priest, you can't possibly be serious in citing that isolated example out of context. The Christian denominations are legion and there is no fixed, absolute guide to who will be admitted into the Kingdom of God. The diversity of interpretations is enormous.
Hell, even individual priests within various denomination have different ideas, but generally you'll find the overall Christian idea of this to be extremely inclusive since we believe Jesus died for our sins. The concept of salvation by grace is another huge part of this. But I didn't really wish to discuss Christian theology, particularly not on the basis of the statements of one priest.

"he wil judge between us sooner than you think."
You don't happen to have the exact date, do you?
I'm going bowling on Friday you see...

from nermin to Anonymous11

I hope you are still there…of course there is a huge difference between eating pork or drinking alcohol and depicting the prophet photo….eating and drinking is god orders in islam which I something very special so it does not matter to me..also you must know that there are a lot of Christians living in Arabic countries and also in Islamic countries and also Jews. Christians eat pork and have their own shops which sell that and my Christian neighbor drink and our relationship is kind..this is not my own business at all..
But you must know that depicting prophet Mohammad and all prophets are prohibited in islam and in our films about islam .prophets never appear …and the problem is that the news paper knows that and even asked many artist is to do these drawing but they refused ..so they know…but the news paper insisted and made a competition and encouraged who did that drawings…so evil intentions are very obvious..and for me of course I condemn these darwing even before seeing it…it doesnot matter tome what are these drawings.it is a principal. now I want to ask you quietly what did anyone gain from those photos…is this wisdom….is this logic instead of trying to build bridges between nation..we go on to cut relations and put hate and psychological bloack between nation..i have never hated Denmark or have any thing with Danish people ..but now even if there was no boycotting, I would have psychological block…you donot know anything about us..hav eyou ever been or lived in Islamic country…no…..we are arabs are passionate people and have hot blood and half of our population are young people who already have lots of emotions and hot blood…
I read that a 6 years old Saudi boy said to his mother that he will not eat his breakfast if she gave him Danish cheese or butter…the prophet to that kid is something very special you will never understand what I say..we are raised on stories of prophets before sleep by our father or mother beside stories of cinderlla an d others ..we love them and respect them and take them as standards in life…we always remember the patience of this prophet or what the other did when we fall into close or similar situation…
Finally donot you agree with me that certain issues are better to avoid than to provoke ..noone gain from this cartoons issues and if you are wise you see that the wo;ld is already fulminating and no need for more…
Some people say that muslim believe in Christ an dother prophet so they have to respect them but reverse is not true….but no take care I don’t recommend or accept mocking or provoking hindu or atheists too..thisis not wisdom and islam teach us to be wise.aslo if muslims believe in those prophets so they hav eto respect while you no…but donot you see that respect is different from muslim and Christians to the same characters….we believe in Christ and you too but we donot depict him but you do..so there is a huge difference..

Sobieski is obviously right, Nermin.

Sobieski cited credible sources to back up his claim: You were proven factually wrong
so what's the harm in admitting it? Or do you prefer to cling to your illusions?

It is an uncontested fact that most (not all) Muslims in Europe are either unemployed or working rather low-end jobs, be it as cab drivers, green grocers or cleaners.

In a particularly biased statement you said:
"of course thisis the usual mind of the white european man who always thinks taht he is superior to others...".
It's NOT about superiority, it's about incontrovertible facts. Hell, what's wrong with driving a cab anyway?

Come on TM. You can't

Come on TM. You can't possibly be telling us that all those muslims, muftis and imams who have encouraged the boycott of Danish produce don't know the Qur'an...

/rant on

/rant on

12 stupid cartoons, oh sorry x number of stupid cartoons. just because the original 12 didnt do the trick no reason not to add a few extras specially tailored for the occasition ( bet no muslim was involved in that one ;-) ).

Peaceloving muslims, doing their best to accept and fit in with other nations, whereever they may choose to settle down.
oh no wait, thats not what happens.
first we settle down, then we start demanding, and if our demands arent met, then let the violence begin.

at the beginning of this cartoon scherade, frankly i couldnt care less, the cartoons were stupid, and it should have been handled differently.
but not anymore, so why not write down some things coming from the mind of someone who actually lives in denmark, and, please dont get scared now, I HAVE ACTUALLY SEEN THE ORIGINAL DRAWINGS !!!!!, if anyone would like a copy please post an emailaddress and i will be only to happy to mail them.

we are a small country about 6 million people in total, of those 6 million, immigrants are maybe 5-6 %, and yet those few % constitute more than 75 % of all rape cases in this country.
HOWS THAT FOR RESPECTING OTHERS ????

that being said, im not an idiot, you know one who generalises and wants to punish everyone for something only a select few has done, anyone get the point of that last line ?

peaceloving muslims, oh you mean the ones that attacked and beat up two danish salesmen representing their company ?
the ones marching in the streets armed with ak47's burning pictures and our flag ?

oh small sidenote here by the way, the danish flag is a direct association to christianity ( you know the big cross in the middle of the flag, i figured i'd better explain because muslims seem to be unable to view anything as being beyond black and white ).
so while we may have depicted your prophet you have infact burned our bible.
but thats is of course the muslim way isnt it ? take the insult that was done to you and return it to him a hundred times.

another thing thats has been making me wonder. if a child is allergic to something, everyone exspects the parents to inform the child of the things he/she are not allowed to come into contact with.
that would be the natural thing right ?
yet here in denmark, the fact that each school and kindergarten may now have a greater or smaller number of muslim children, now means that certain ( traditional ) foods, like forms of pate and such, are no longer allowed to be served because they contain pork !!!

so my question is this, how come muslims always expect and demand respect and courtesy from others, yet never seem to be willing to return the favor ?

oh and one last thing, a few months ago we had an extremely unfortunate incident here in denmark, involving muslims, wow imagine that !!
a doorman was attacked at work by a bunch of young men, with knifes and such of course. i mean what peaceloving muslim leaves home without it, just like the boyscouts they are, always be prepared.
this particular doorman however, was ( aside from his knifeproof west of course ) armed with a gun.
so he shoots and kills one of them, which is of course a terrible thing that should never have happened.
but and here comes the truly muslim way of doing things, the dead mans brother and family and cousins and pizzeriaowning friends now all gather up and starts a minor vendetta. the doorman and family fortunately having been moved from their house earlier by the police.
later in this sad story, a leading muslim priest ( yes i said priest ), stands up in the press and announces that in order to avoid more bloodshed the doorman and his family should pay bloodmoney to the deceased mans family !!!
who the hell suggests a thing like that in a modern democratic society ????

well, ive come to the end of my rant, and has anyone noticed something about this ?
I WAS UPSET AND I USED MY WORDS !!!
i didnt run to the nearest muslim family and beat them up, i havent burnt anyones flag or bible or property !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

/rant off

wow, it felt good to get that of my chest.

you see, thats the funny thing about cases like this.
theres the media picture and the real life picture.
sometimes when i read the paper, i think muslims are evil, throw them out of the country yada yada and so on.

but thats not how it is, because i know that islam is a great religion, i know that all my muslim friends are amazingly kind and sweet people.
i know how much their religion means to them, how much it takes up in their everyday lives, and frankly i admire them for their devotion to it.
i still shop at my local grocery store, and many other things.
because when it all comes down to it, this thing will blow over.

maybe we should all remember that ...

deep down, we know that the media will twist whatever fact it takes to sell papers or get ratings.
we all know that politicians and various religious leaders are just trying to get their 15 min in the spotlight, it doesnt matter what they speak out for, they will always choose the opposite of their local rivals.

personally, i always go with whatever priest or politician that advocates peace and common sense.

Can this J.poston dare to publish cartoons mocking cow worshipe

Can this J.poston dare to publish cartoons mocking ghandi and those who worship cows.
I really need an answer can jilland poston or any other European journal dare to publish cartoons mocking those who worship cows which are slaughtered every second all over the world to be eaten …and why there is not governmental or private publication ever did cartons mocking any religion or faith whatever divine or not…..why ordinary simple muslim man cannot think to mock any religion while the supposed civilized European is proud to mock and insult other and not only this but happy and wish to escalate the conflict and fire in the world more and more..anyone reply tome…do you the world need more fire and war…or you are people of wars.

Yes, We Can Publish Anything!

That is the point! It may be offensive, it may be stupid, but we can say it and we can publish it.

And if you don't like that, GET OUT! Go live in your Islamic countries where you won't have to deal with issues like free expression.

get them out - now

this issue only adds to the growing European sentiment that the only solution is to expell the Muslims.

i fear that if the Jihadists commit an enormous atrocity in Europe, the bloodbath will be unstoppable.

for the sake of lives , we need to get the Muslims out of Europe - beginning now.

GET THE FUCK OUT OF EUROPE!

to new hitler (Angry European )from nermin

it seemed taht europe soilnever run out of hitlers .how fertil land europe is....your genes are corrupted andonly equiped to hate only ....racial discrimination against balck and jews and non christians andnow concentrate to muslims Mr ignorant hitler.....i hav eunderstood now why extremist blow themselves

Still flawed logic nermin..

Again somebody wants muslims out of europe and you compare him to hitler. for a supposedly educated person you're not very smart.

to Mr Bob from nermin

Now you criticize prince charles for his immoral behaviors as if what charles does is not the freedom and life style everyone of you practice….the freedom which mades your queen gives the gay eltoon john sir title..the freedom which make Elton john marry his boy friend recently .when I say you I mean the west .and your country MR Bo is the right hand of Bush in all wars he launched…that is why I ask you are not satisfied till now by UK involvement in war against alqaeda and in iraq…
What doyou mean that you are not sure who iam ..weird , mysterious words..i really need to clear it out..
Also from where you read about islam ..from Islamic resources from your own resources. when I wanted to read about Christianity an dothe rfaiths I was keen to read about them from their own hand written and I did not depend on any Islamic writer although I found out that non of them said different thing.

The Saudi women you claim to have no right have the equal right to divorce herself as any man and this right is given to her by islam more than 1400 years ago .not by the west or the east ..while even any European princess cannot have this right till now. not only this but every western country and every state in USA is making their own laws concerning divorce, an issue which is settled 1427 years ago… for your knowledge, saudi business women were the one to launch this boycotting to Danish products .

Hello Mr Hitler , you really sounded like him ..i wonder is genocide and racial discrimination is present in your genes..sure it is ..because you are the people who burned the jews and you who had black history of supporting apartheid in south Africa and you are the white who eradicate the native people of America and you are the one who launched crusade wars for over 400 years by the support of the corrupted church and its men…to kill both jews and muslims who lives away away from your western countries…I really feel pity for you..with all that balcknesss inside your heart how can you live …..you can ask American about the contribution of tehmuslims and arabs now in its life and how one of them called ahmed zewl own the nobel prize alone in chemistry .you can go to UK or france and see that half doctors thee are arabs or muslims..wake up…ex president clintion said yesterday that attck against muslims and islam reminds him of anti-Semitism against jews. I ask you do you dare to publish cartons about those who worship cows .do you..of course not because your black heart hate and aim to hurt only muslims and islam with total ignorance. you are brain wshed by your media. Can you reply to me of course not….

to Mr Bob from nermin

Now you criticize prince charles for his immoral behaviors as if what charles does is not the freedom and life style everyone of you practice….the freedom which mades your queen gives the gay eltoon john sir title..the freedom which make Elton john marry his boy friend recently .when I say you I mean the west .and your country MR Bo is the right hand of Bush in all wars he launched…that is why I ask you are not satisfied till now by UK involvement in war against alqaeda and in iraq…
What doyou mean that you are not sure who iam ..weird , mysterious words..i really need to clear it out..
Also from where you read about islam ..from Islamic resources from your own resources. when I wanted to read about Christianity an dothe rfaiths I was keen to read about them from their own hand written and I did not depend on any Islamic writer although I found out that non of them said different thing.

The Saudi women you claim to have no right have the equal right to divorce herself as any man and this right is given to her by islam more than 1400 years ago .not by the west or the east ..while even any European princess cannot have this right till now. not only this but every western country and every state in USA is making their own laws concerning divorce, an issue which is settled 1427 years ago… for your knowledge, saudi business women were the one to launch this boycotting to Danish products .

Hello Mr Hitler , you really sounded like him ..i wonder is genocide and racial discrimination is present in your genes..sure it is ..because you are the people who burned the jews and you who had black history of supporting apartheid in south Africa and you are the white who eradicate the native people of America and you are the one who launched crusade wars for over 400 years by the support of the corrupted church and its men…to kill both jews and muslims who lives away away from your western countries…I really feel pity for you..with all that balcknesss inside your heart how can you live …..you can ask American about the contribution of tehmuslims and arabs now in its life and how one of them called ahmed zewl own the nobel prize alone in chemistry .you can go to UK or france and see that half doctors thee are arabs or muslims..wake up…ex president clintion said yesterday that attck against muslims and islam reminds him of anti-Semitism against jews. I ask you do you dare to publish cartons about those who worship cows .do you..of course not because your black heart hate and aim to hurt only muslims and islam with total ignorance. you are brain wshed by your media. Can you reply to me of course not….

Enough already

You seem to be conducting some sort of flame war against me by posting the same insulting messages in different threads. Still, here goes....

Now you criticize prince charles for his immoral behaviors as if what charles does is not the freedom and life style everyone of you practice….

I don't have much time for Prince Charles, his morals or his lifestyle. I certainly don't have the same lifestyle that he does. You cited him as some sort of person whose opinion I should value, and I merely pointed out that I don't.

the freedom which mades your queen gives the gay eltoon john sir title..the freedom which make Elton john marry his boy friend recently

In practice the Queen has little or no say in who gets a knighthood or any other honour. These decisions are made by the Prime Minister. I have absolutely no problem with the new law which allows gays to enter into a "civil partnership". One of the least attractive aspects of Islam is the bigotry and prejudice against homosexual relationships.

when I say you I mean the west .and your country MR Bo is the right hand of Bush in all wars he launched…that is why I ask you are not satisfied till now by UK involvement in war against alqaeda and in iraq…

Oh good, I thought you were holding me personally responsible for everything done in Europe and America since the dawn of time!!

No, I'm not satisfied with the outcomes in Iraq and Afghanistan. There are some positive signs of a better future in both countries, but it could still all go horribly wrong.

What doyou mean that you are not sure who iam ..weird , mysterious words..i really need to clear it out..

I have no idea what you are referring to here. As to who you are, I have only got your words here to judge you by.

Also from where you read about islam ..

All sorts of places. I've read some of the Quran, but as I don't believe in the concept of God, Allah, prophets or divine revelation these texts do get a bit tedious.

The Saudi women you claim to have no right

I didn't claim this.

for your knowledge, saudi business women were the one to launch this boycotting to Danish products .

So what? I don't particularly care who launched it. It just seems a silly and counter-productive idea. It may indeed lead to something much more serious.

Hello Mr Hitler , you really sounded like him ..i wonder is genocide and racial discrimination is present in your genes..

I know of no scientific evidence that political and social views are carried in one's genes. It may be that you are just being rude.

sure it is ..because you are the people who burned the jews and you who had black history of supporting apartheid in south Africa and you are the white who eradicate the native people of America and you are the one who launched crusade wars for over 400 years by the support of the corrupted church and its men…

I haven't done any of these things, and I don't approve of them. I think you're being really silly in saying so.

I really feel pity for you..with all that balcknesss inside your heart how can you live …..

Oh, I don't know. I seem to muddle through somehow!! You're not very good at jokes, are you, Nermin?

you can ask American about the contribution of tehmuslims and arabs now in its life and how one of them called ahmed zewl own the nobel prize alone in chemistry .

There's always one, isn't there!!

you can go to UK or france and see that half doctors thee are arabs or muslims..

I've dealt with this in another post. I don't think it's true!!

wake up…ex president clintion said yesterday that attck against muslims and islam reminds him of anti-Semitism against jews. I ask you do you dare to publish cartons about those who worship cows .do you..of course not because your black heart hate and aim to hurt only muslims and islam with total ignorance.

It's always great to know what Bill Clinton is thinking about. I haven't published any cartoons, you know. What I would really like is for Muslims and non-Muslims to be able to talk to each other in a friendly, polite, tolerant manner. Some hope!

you are brain wshed by your media.

I try to resist them as best as I can.

Can you reply to me of course not….

I just have. But my old fingers are getting tired, and I may not much more.

Peace be with you. Eirene. Pax. Shalom. Salaam.

Bob

Get them all out.....

Look what "peaceful muslims" did to france.

isnt it truly amazing ?

/rant on

12 stupid cartoons, oh sorry x number of stupid cartoons. just because the original 12 didnt do the trick no reason not to add a few extras specially tailored for the occasition ( bet no muslim was involved in that one ;-) ).

Peaceloving muslims, doing their best to accept and fit in with other nations, whereever they may choose to settle down.
oh no wait, thats not what happens.
first we settle down, then we start demanding, and if our demands arent met, then let the violence begin.

at the beginning of this cartoon scherade, frankly i couldnt care less, the cartoons were stupid, and it should have been handled differently.
but not anymore, so why not write down some things coming from the mind of someone who actually lives in denmark, and, please dont get scared now, I HAVE ACTUALLY SEEN THE ORIGINAL DRAWINGS !!!!!, if anyone would like a copy please post an emailaddress and i will be only to happy to mail them.

we are a small country about 6 million people in total, of those 6 million, immigrants are maybe 5-6 %, and yet those few % constitute more than 75 % of all rape cases in this country.
HOWS THAT FOR RESPECTING OTHERS ????

that being said, im not an idiot, you know one who generalises and wants to punish everyone for something only a select few has done, anyone get the point of that last line ?

peaceloving muslims, oh you mean the ones that attacked and beat up two danish salesmen representing their company ?
the ones marching in the streets armed with ak47's burning pictures and our flag ?

oh small sidenote here by the way, the danish flag is a direct association to christianity ( you know the big cross in the middle of the flag, i figured i'd better explain because muslims seem to be unable to view anything as being beyond black and white ).
so while we may have depicted your prophet you have infact burned our bible.
but thats is of course the muslim way isnt it ? take the insult that was done to you and return it to him a hundred times.

another thing thats has been making me wonder. if a child is allergic to something, everyone exspects the parents to inform the child of the things he/she are not allowed to come into contact with.
that would be the natural thing right ?
yet here in denmark, the fact that each school and kindergarten may now have a greater or smaller number of muslim children, now means that certain ( traditional ) foods, like forms of pate and such, are no longer allowed to be served because they contain pork !!!

so my question is this, how come muslims always expect and demand respect and courtesy from others, yet never seem to be willing to return the favor ?

oh and one last thing, a few months ago we had an extremely unfortunate incident here in denmark, involving muslims, wow imagine that !!
a doorman was attacked at work by a bunch of young men, with knifes and such of course. i mean what peaceloving muslim leaves home without it, just like the boyscouts they are, always be prepared.
this particular doorman however, was ( aside from his knifeproof west of course ) armed with a gun.
so he shoots and kills one of them, which is of course a terrible thing that should never have happened.
but and here comes the truly muslim way of doing things, the dead mans brother and family and cousins and pizzeriaowning friends now all gather up and starts a minor vendetta. the doorman and family fortunately having been moved from their house earlier by the police.
later in this sad story, a leading muslim priest ( yes i said priest ), stands up in the press and announces that in order to avoid more bloodshed the doorman and his family should pay bloodmoney to the deceased mans family !!!
who the hell suggests a thing like that in a modern democratic society ????

well, ive come to the end of my rant, and has anyone noticed something about this ?
I WAS UPSET AND I USED MY WORDS !!!
i didnt run to the nearest muslim family and beat them up, i havent burnt anyones flag or bible or property !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

/rant off

wow, it felt good to get that of my chest.

you see, thats the funny thing about cases like this.
theres the media picture and the real life picture.
sometimes when i read the paper, i think muslims are evil, throw them out of the country yada yada and so on.

but thats not how it is, because i know that islam is a great religion, i know that all my muslim friends are amazingly kind and sweet people.
i know how much their religion means to them, how much it takes up in their everyday lives, and frankly i admire them for their devotion to it.
i still shop at my local grocery store, and many other things.
because when it all comes down to it, this thing will blow over.

maybe we should all remember that ...

deep down, we know that the media will twist whatever fact it takes to sell papers or get ratings.
we all know that politicians and various religious leaders are just trying to get their 15 min in the spotlight, it doesnt matter what they speak out for, they will always choose the opposite of their local rivals.

personally, i always go with whatever priest or politician that advocates peace and common sense.

Cartoons published in French Newspaper. A battle won!

Great news, friends of the Western World and freedom.

A French newspaper, Le Soir, has published the 12 drawings and a main page with it's own drawing of Jesus, Bhudda and Mohammed. Jesus in the drawing says to Mohammed: "Don't be angry, Mohammed, we have all been in cartoons."

This brave newspaper explains the reason for publishing the drawings:
No religion may be permitted to enforce it's dogmas on democratic and secular society, where religion belongs to the private sphere.

Yes, Yes and Yes.

The Arabs better get themselves a large supply of flags to burn. I for one will invest some money in flag producing companies.

the fight goes on!!

To all boycoters out there:

today, february the 1st, parisian newspaper"france-soir" has decided to publish the cartoons!

By all means, boycott french products also, threaten to bomb the metro and of course, don't forget to burn the french flag!
(and please, recall are your envoys.we want the same treatment as the danes.)

That's not Islam

Hello,
I totally support freedom of speech, and without it the world is a worst place to live. And yes i'm an arab muslim and i was offended by these cartoons. But i strongly dissagree with killing or bombing anything, because it's not right and NOT Islam.

The prophet Muhammad PBUH was offended very badly by one of the non-believers when he was alive, and in his own city between his men by one of the prisoners of a battle and when his followers rushed to kill that man (out of anger), Muhammad PBUH stopped them and rejected even hitting him, let alone killing him. And tought them that in the light of Islam we do not do like what the kings of the dark ages would do.

So if you see some Muslims threatening and saying stupid things like killing the staff of the newspaper (or even worst anybody), they are not acting according to the teachings of Islam, that is thier own wrong reaction and Islam has nothing to do with it.

As for boycotting the Danish products, i must say that the danish people and the danish government are not responsible for the newspapers' actions and according to law they have no power over what the newspaper does. So they are not to be blamed about it. So burning the dansih flag or threatening the danish people around the world is not right in my opinion according to what most muslims and I understand from Islam. At least the ones who really knows what islam is about and what the Prophet Muhammad PBUH would do about it.

Please understand that the extremists who kill innocent people are not muslims, Islam came to " reject " the idea of "Ends Justifies the means" according to islam the means should be as pure as the ends.

The problem is that Good and peaceful muslims are in trouble because of the Bad ones who claim to be muslims and hurt Islam more than it's worst enemies with thier violent actions. Because of them many of the non-muslims reject islam more and are going to publish even more cartoons about the Prophet Muhammad PBUH. We cannot control them but we are trying to make them understand the situation and in the Islamic Nations many Islamic Officials are trying to educate them and prevent them from doing anything wrong.

But we need your help too, when intellectuals and educated people start answering the idiots with falmming the prophet Muhammad PBUH even more, you are making it harder for them to settle down and for us to stop them and ,even worst, hurting us peaceful muslims.
If you do not like Islam or religons in general, you have that right and no one on earth can take it from you, but why hurt and flame other people's believes. What's the point of posting those cartoons? what purpose will it achieve ?. It is freedom, but even if we are free to say whatever we want, why say or do things that hurt others?

And what was even worst is that fact that those cartoons showed the prophet Muhammad PBUH as a terrorist when he is not, so it wasn't only the fact that the cartoons were said to represent Muhammad PBUH, but it was meant to Offend muslims.
Anybody can draw anything he wants and publish it, but when journalists do something like that, it makes me very sad that someone who is supposed to be smart and educated would do such a stupid and irresponsible thing.

I know that was a very long comment, and i hope people read it and try to understand what i mean.

Finally, peace on those who want peace. And may God set peace in the hearts of the lost.

More of this input from Muslims please

I am from Denmark, and agree and understand 100 % what you write. To us Danes, these cartoons meant nothing, actually I was very tired of seing them again and again mentioned in danish newsprograms for 3 months in a row. I did not border to even look at them until now, were it has become part of our history books. The problem is, that Islam has been used so many times as an excuse to make terrorist actions, if real Muslims like you would be more public about this lie, my dream is, that those radicals would be all forgotten. Every sound person want heaven on earth instead of hell. Looking at those drawings now, I can understand that they was offending with that militaristics clue, especially for peaceloving muslims, whome like anybody else, I would love to have as friends around this world. Hopefully this event could open up for a better understanding between our cultures, if we think in the way religion surposed to made us think.

Hi, Comments to TM

Hi, these are comments to "TM".

Some of us, not living under a muslim regime, have experienced that the religious bureaucracy is only a mean to suppress the people. As you indicate, the members of the bureaucracy, may not see this as a problem, but will focus on other things.

I hope you are also offended by "the Bad ones who claims to be muslims and hurt Islam", and spend as much time in moderating them. What about the Iranian president who claims on TV that there are more than one god on earth, implicitly reducing your god to a local one. One may of course wonder what makes a Danish drawing so important.

Do you mean tell that Islam allows anything to be said true or not, even on TV, but almost nothing to be written or drawn? This looks bad for the confidence in a speaking Muslim. You clearly have an educational task to do.

isnt it amazing ?

/rant on

12 stupid cartoons, oh sorry x number of stupid cartoons. just because the original 12 didnt do the trick no reason not to add a few extras specially tailored for the occasition ( bet no muslim was involved in that one ;-) ).

Peaceloving muslims, doing their best to accept and fit in with other nations, whereever they may choose to settle down.
oh no wait, thats not what happens.
first we settle down, then we start demanding, and if our demands arent met, then let the violence begin.

at the beginning of this cartoon scherade, frankly i couldnt care less, the cartoons were stupid, and it should have been handled differently.
but not anymore, so why not write down some things coming from the mind of someone who actually lives in denmark, and, please dont get scared now, I HAVE ACTUALLY SEEN THE ORIGINAL DRAWINGS !!!!!, if anyone would like a copy please post an emailaddress and i will be only to happy to mail them.

we are a small country about 6 million people in total, of those 6 million, immigrants are maybe 5-6 %, and yet those few % constitute more than 75 % of all rape cases in this country.
HOWS THAT FOR RESPECTING OTHERS ????

that being said, im not an idiot, you know one who generalises and wants to punish everyone for something only a select few has done, anyone get the point of that last line ?

peaceloving muslims, oh you mean the ones that attacked and beat up two danish salesmen representing their company ?
the ones marching in the streets armed with ak47's burning pictures and our flag ?

oh small sidenote here by the way, the danish flag is a direct association to christianity ( you know the big cross in the middle of the flag, i figured i'd better explain because muslims seem to be unable to view anything as being beyond black and white ).
so while we may have depicted your prophet you have infact burned our bible.
but thats is of course the muslim way isnt it ? take the insult that was done to you and return it to him a hundred times.

another thing thats has been making me wonder. if a child is allergic to something, everyone exspects the parents to inform the child of the things he/she are not allowed to come into contact with.
that would be the natural thing right ?
yet here in denmark, the fact that each school and kindergarten may now have a greater or smaller number of muslim children, now means that certain ( traditional ) foods, like forms of pate and such, are no longer allowed to be served because they contain pork !!!

so my question is this, how come muslims always expect and demand respect and courtesy from others, yet never seem to be willing to return the favor ?

oh and one last thing, a few months ago we had an extremely unfortunate incident here in denmark, involving muslims, wow imagine that !!
a doorman was attacked at work by a bunch of young men, with knifes and such of course. i mean what peaceloving muslim leaves home without it, just like the boyscouts they are, always be prepared.
this particular doorman however, was ( aside from his knifeproof west of course ) armed with a gun.
so he shoots and kills one of them, which is of course a terrible thing that should never have happened.
but and here comes the truly muslim way of doing things, the dead mans brother and family and cousins and pizzeriaowning friends now all gather up and starts a minor vendetta. the doorman and family fortunately having been moved from their house earlier by the police.
later in this sad story, a leading muslim priest ( yes i said priest ), stands up in the press and announces that in order to avoid more bloodshed the doorman and his family should pay bloodmoney to the deceased mans family !!!
who the hell suggests a thing like that in a modern democratic society ????

well, ive come to the end of my rant, and has anyone noticed something about this ?
I WAS UPSET AND I USED MY WORDS !!!
i didnt run to the nearest muslim family and beat them up, i havent burnt anyones flag or bible or property !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

/rant off

wow, it felt good to get that of my chest.

you see, thats the funny thing about cases like this.
theres the media picture and the real life picture.
sometimes when i read the paper, i think muslims are evil, throw them out of the country yada yada and so on.

but thats not how it is, because i know that islam is a great religion, i know that all my muslim friends are amazingly kind and sweet people.
i know how much their religion means to them, how much it takes up in their everyday lives, and frankly i admire them for their devotion to it.
i still shop at my local grocery store, and many other things.
because when it all comes down to it, this thing will blow over.

maybe we should all remember that ...

deep down, we know that the media will twist whatever fact it takes to sell papers or get ratings.
we all know that politicians and various religious leaders are just trying to get their 15 min in the spotlight, it doesnt matter what they speak out for, they will always choose the opposite of their local rivals.

personally, i always go with whatever priest or politician that advocates peace and common sense.

von Schlichtningen, It's

von Schlichtningen,

It's wrong to call PET for "the Danish secret service". PET is the police intelligence agency(we have a military intelligence agency as well).
PET was advising that people do not take part in certain demonstrations, one of them is supposed to happen today, where people are going to torch copies of the Qur'an. I think that may actually be illegal in Denmark...

POLAND supports Denmark with

POLAND supports Denmark with their fight against muslim fanatism.

The arab world has shown that they have no understanding of western democracy. Wanting the goverment to apologise for some neswpaper is a clear sign that they really think that the goverment is responsible for it :)

But guys, it does not work like it in europe, the goverment and the press are independent from each other, and not just formaly, like in your countries, but actually to.

Dont worry Denmark, Europe is with you.

Supporting evil is your way.

Mr wojtek
U know y Adam was thrown out from the heaven,itz only just he break the law,and he thought eating that forbidden fruit is s freedom for him .so same is the case with danish press,what u call freedom is only a way leading you to bondage.U know pH scale in chemistry.if u move to the right of left of ph scale u will burnThe law says to stay at 7 ,that is y u able to drink water otherwise u will die.Being a Mass communication ,i think i know press laws more than you.Press has limitations but in countries like yours press has forgotten itz role to bring the nations closer.The cartoonists are no more than yellow journous.The instead of making this world a peaeful place have triggered anger omong the men.
Rest tell me what u people got by doing so,did u feel relaxed.
About that ben chilka ( the cartoonist who draw mother marys image) we muslims strongly condemn that also .He misght be muslim by name but his deeds were like danish journos.If i see personally the two guys together ( the person who drw image of mother mary and the one who draw the cartoons of Prophet Muhammad(PBHU) ,i will first shoot that ben (Muslim) for drawing the picture of mother mary,coz islm never allows me to draw pictures of holy men.
Further dont think we muslims dontr have anything to say..
If u people feel that Muhammad was a liar,an evil .
I wud like to say u that It was only muhammad who said us that Mother Mary was a virgin,and a pious women so we can doubt our mothers character but not her.( HAS muhammad lied here also) If itz a lie than im sorry to say that you should print poaters for the missing father of Jesus.
Itz hurting me alot to write like this but for people like you itz necessary .
What u caall freedom,,,,is is lawlessness or is it being within the law,,,,
What happened to the teachings of jesus,,,He said u to offer another side of face if one slaps u on one side.....u r now slaping us and are asking for another side,,,if u follow the teachings of jesus ,you will find that those werw the same laws given by muhammad.

It already started

Salamander wrote:

"...Via de Volksdrant, Brussels Journal has brought to us a great idea; join the brave Dutch artists (who have to stay anon so they can keep their windows and heads) and have "Teken-Mohammed-Week" ... "Draw Mohammed Week" to you and me..."

Yes it is a great idea and a good initiative. It is already ongoing and new cartoons are being produced. The Dutch http://www.pim-fortuyn.nl/pfforum/default.asp Pim Fortuyn Forum is posting new cartoons.

Personally I am publishing via my website http://alter-of-democracy.be/ and over anybody who wants a cartoon to be published to have it done under my name if he/she wants to remain anon. Personally I don't care using my name for it as I have managed to become so much hated that nothing makes a difference anymore.

Let's have them learn that putting free people under pressure will backfire.

The original set of cartoons were cute and fit for any children's book by now they are changing in nature and what was innocent is becoming harder by far.

The Islamo-Fascist don't know what they asked for and it is time they learn the lesson.

Learn from BBC

I think that your coverge of the story is not balanced. Just learn from BBC how to cover stories. At least quote the information that are not known by your reporters. In the end I advise you to know more about the Prophe of Islam not just some false flashes "Oh!! I heard that..."

Hide under your bed!

"Dutch cartoonists admit that they do not depict Muhammad out of fear for violent retaliations. “It is a kind of self-censorship,” Stefan Verwey admits. “I have large windows and would rather keep them intact,” says Peter de Wit, while Joep Bertrams concedes. “It causes a lot of problems. Why throw oil on the fire?”

This is all of Europe's future...FEAR. Appeasment and apologies will only gain you more.

Islam is already the EU's

Islam is already the EU's second-most popular religion, and it could one day claim the top spot if the Western European affinity to atheism continues, and Turkey and its 70 million Muslims join the bloc.

But an ever-growing opposition to that move has settled in nearly all Western European countries, including generally pro-European nations such as Germany and the Netherlands.

Danish cartoons of Mohammed

The fact is, throughout the ages Mohammed has been illustrated and depicted in everything from woodcuts to oil paintings without incident (note the enclosed link to zombietime.com which has an illustrated history of depictions of Mohammed). The fact that Denmark's Muslims are complaining and 'acting out' now is purely political and being used around the world by other Muslims, as a pressure tactic on Denmark for it's vote in the upcoming Security Council debate on Iran's nuclear aspirations. It has NOTHING to do with depicting Mohammed. That's just what they say for Western consumption. There are some excellent representations of the prophet at zombietime.com...go to History of Engravings of Mohammed.

Government limiting freedom of Danes

I have just read a surprising article from the Danish newspaper, Ekstrabladet (in Danish: http://ekstrabladet.dk/VisArtikel.iasp?PageID=332924).

It is a thinly guised threat from the internal Danish Secret Service (PET).

People are advised to think twice before participating in demonstrations against Muslims. Otherwise you may be considered part of the extreme right.

PET is afraid of the situation escalating.

So while the Muslims promise death and torture, terrorism and bombs while burning Danish flags and brandishing weapons - peaceloving Danes should abstain from using their right of freedom?!?

Islamic argumentation

“Our Prophet cannot be humiliated. I do not believe a Muslim has ever said anything negative about Christianity or Jesus Christ.”

I love sentences like this, so he thinks (and not only he, as we can see, many of these muslims use absolutely same arguments) that because Muslims respect Jesus and Christianity, we should have respect for Mohamed and Islam, but it is something completely different. Muslims are obliged to respect Jesus, because Mohamed did and because he said that Jesus is his predecessor and because Jesus is respected by Koran! Contrary Christians are not obliged to respect Mohamed. Name of Mohamed is not mentioned in Bible, Mohamed is not part of Christian faith, so this comparison seems to me absolutely silly. I am sure that for many Christians is Mohamed nothing more than false prophet, so why should they have respect for false prophet? Would not be it little bit hypocritical?
And of course, I don´t see any reason, why should have non-muslims generally respect Mohamed, he can be adorated by Muslims, because they have excuse for everything bad what he ever did.....
But adoration of someone by 1,3 billion of people is not reason to respect for rest of human kind....
Mohamed was too controversial person!
(sorry for my English :)

Eating pork every day in Iraq...

I'm proudly serving with the MultiNational forces in Iraq and make every effort I can to eat pork. It satisfies me greatly to take a great big piggie shit on muslim soil.

I don't eat pigs because

I don't eat pigs because they're said to be as intelligent and sociable as dogs. This places them considerably higher on the food chain than muslims in my estimation. So, I'll be proud to buy Danish beer and Danish cheese, but I'll pass on Danish sausage. Come to think of it, instead of eating them maybe you should keep pigs as pets and walk them down the street on leashes. Your new countrymen, who have proven themselves such loyal and good Danes, might decide the climate doesn't agree with them after all!

WWII

Well I don’t know if we beat the NAZI’s in WWII, actually we were rather passive on that front. However we have always taken the moral high ground on a wide array of issues. The basic fact of this conflict is beyond discussion. The government should not impose limits on freedoms of the press whether we like what we hear or not. This was what the ambassadors of the Islamic nations wanted, they wanted our government to take legal actions against a private newspaper who legally didn’t do anything wrong. Sorry but since when did the authoritarian regimes of the Middle East begin to dictate terms of press freedoms? What do Saudi Arabia export besides oil and state sponsored terrorism?

Lars, you are wrong. Your

Lars, you are wrong. Your country (Denmark) wasn't passive during WW2. Your courageous people managed to save most of the Danish Jews from deportation by massive smuggling to Sweden. I see that bravery is chronic in Denmark.
Vladimir
Sofia, Bulgaria