Muslims appogises to Norway and Denmark.

[Gullvann]

In the middle of all the mayhem surrounding the Danish cartoons controversy, a group of Arab and Muslim youth have set up this website to express their honest opinion, as a small attempt to show the world that the images shown of Arab and Muslim anger around the world are not representative of the opinions of all Arabs. We whole-heartedly apologize to the people of Denmark, Norway and all the European Union over the actions of a few, and we completely condemn all forms of vandalism and incitement to violence that the Arab and Muslim world have witnessed. We hope that this sad episode will not tarnish the great friendship that our peoples have fostered over decades.



The problem with media representation of such issues tends to be that the media only picks up the loudest voices, ignoring the rational ones that do not generate as much noise. Voices that seek tolerance, dialogue and understanding are always drowned out by the more sensationalist loud calls, giving viewers the impression that these views are representative of all the Arab public’s view. This website is a modest attempt at redressing this wrong. We would appreciate it if you could forward the word to as many of your friends as possible.



We will note that we find the cartoons to be incendiary, insulting and very abrasive. We also take issue with the general stance of the Danish Newspaper Jyllands-Posten, which has a reputation for publishing inflammatory material. Yet, it would be wrong to take away their freedom of expression, regardless of how horrid their material is. We affirm our belief in freedom of expression and people’s right to express whatever opinions they hold. However, at the same time there is a need to realize that freedom of expression is a responsibility that should not be used to gratuitously insult people’s beliefs.



When confronted with such a situation, we deplore the use of violence in all its forms, as well as threats of violence and derogatory and racist remarks being thrown in the opposite direction. We condemn the shameful actions carried out by a few Arabs and Muslims around the world that have tarnished our image, and presented us as intolerant and close-minded bigots.



Anyone offended by the content of a publication has a vast choice of democratic and respectful methods of seeking redress. The most obvious are not buying the publication, writing letters to the editor or expressing their opinions in other venues. It is also possible to use one’s free choice in a democracy to conduct a boycott of the publication, and even a boycott of firms dealing with it. Yet an indiscriminate boycott of all the country’s firms is simply uncalled for and counter-productive. We would be allowing the extremists on both sides to prevail, while punishing the government and the whole population for the actions of an unrepresentative irresponsible few.



We apologize whole-heartedly to the people of Norway and Denmark for any offense this sorry episode may have caused, to any European who has been harassed or intimidated, to the staff of the Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Embassies in Syria whose workplace has been destroyed and for any distress this whole affair may have caused to anyone.



There is a strong tradition of friendship and cooperation between the Norwegian and Danish people and Arab people. Of most note is the continued support that these governments give to the Palestinian people in their struggle for freedom and liberation, and the brave stance that these governments have often taken to defend Palestinian rights. We sincerely hope these special bonds will not be broken. We hope that our Scandinavian friends would not be convinced by the actions of a few to believe that this is how Arabs and Muslims feel about them. There are racists, bigots and criminals in all countries, and it is the duty of the respectful and reasonable to reach out to each other.



Let us hope that instead of emboldening the bigots, this sorry affair will bring all open-minded, tolerant and reasonable people from the Arab, Muslim, Norwegian, Danish and European communities together to unite in a continued struggle of reason against prejudice, open-mindedness against bigotry and humanity against racism.



Vi Beklager Undskyld

We Are Sorry

http://www.sorrynorwaydenmark.com/

-----------------------------------------------------------

Let us not loose sight of the fact that there are reasonable people who are opposed to the extremist violence.

In Denmark a group called "Moderate Muslims" was just founded that wants to fight for free speech.

In Norway yesterday, muslims protested in front of the Norwegian embassy in support of free speech and against the violence happening in the middle east.

Hadet.

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. I imagine those youth will earn their own death warrant.

How wonderful of them to do this; how sad that they will now need to worry about suffering retaliation from the extremist fucks, especially since probably 90% or more of worldwide muslims feel the same way these kids do.

[Gullvann]

2. What many doesn't realise is that the extremist fundies

are probably even a more threat to people like this.

A Danish imam who accepted the appology from the Danish newspaper promply received plenty of death threats and his kid was beaten up.

The founder of Moderate Muslims have been living under police protection for the last 3 years.

BTW: Reuters is reporting that 4 are dead in cartoon protests in Afghanistan. :-(

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. That cartoon was the straw that broke the camel's back.

There's a whole lot more pent-up rage than could be explained away because of one offensive cartoon.

[Gullvann]

5. I agree. The grand mufti of Jersulalem has said as much,

and that it was easier to take it out on a small nation like Denmark, than the US for instance.

That said, in my mind it does not excuse the sacking of embassies and violent reactions.

The crazy thing is that I think something like 10 muslims have now been killed due to the protests.

hmm.

[Karenina]

6. Bingo.

[malaise]

10. Too many people seem to miss that

essential truth - part of this is pent-up rage at the slaughter of innocents.

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. They deserve our respect.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

7. Moderate Muslims are, I believe, in the majority around the world

But the MSM only listens to the extremists. Perhaps it is as my brothers describe; they only listen to the loudest voices. Myself, I sometimes wonder if the US press, at least, isn't taking orders from Bushco to do things to help their agenda along. Demonizing Islam would fall right into their plans; the US public must have a bogeyman to fear and hate to distract them while the neocons pillage our nation and destroy the Constitution. I think the European papers have a different agenda, one which speaks to the unease of many of having so many Muslim immigrants in their midst.

[Gullvann]

8. You are probably right. But, also this thread.

It doesn't seem to be very intersting to people...

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

9. Moderation just isn't popular any more

It seems that all people want to talk about or hear about are extremists. This is indeed sad.