newswire: Norwegian magazine prints Prophet caricatures

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January 13, 2006

Norwegian magazine prints Prophet caricatures

A Norwegian Christian magazine has published a set of controversial caricatures of the prophet Mohammed after months of uproar in the Muslim world over a Danish paper's decision to print the same cartoons. Repeating a move by conservative Danish paper Jyllands-Posten last September, Magazinet published the controversial drawings in the name of "freedom of expression" on Tuesday.

The same caricatures have been blasted by Muslims in Denmark and abroad, since images of the prophet are considered blasphemous under Islam. "Just like Jyllands-Posten, I have become sick of the ongoing hidden erosion of the freedom of expression," Magazinet editor Vebjoern Selbekk wrote.

The murder of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh in 2004 revealed "that we are not facing empty threats. We know that the freedom of expression in our part of the world is being threatened by religion that is not afraid of using violence", he added.

Source: [Aljazeera]

Death threats

The editor said he was not afraid of the prospect of facing the same indignation and even death threats that faced the Danish paper after it published the cartoons.

Meanwhile, Denmark's prime minister on Tuesday accused a group of local Muslims of smearing the country's reputation in the Middle East as they sought support against a newspaper that published caricatures of Islam's Prophet Muhammad.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he was "stunned" that leaders of the Islamic Faith Community had travelled to Egypt, Syria and Lebanon "to stir up attitudes against Denmark and Danes." The group's leader, Ahmed Abu Laban, a cleric, has defended the December trip, saying the Muslim community was feeling marginalised in Denmark in its protests against the paper.

Drawings condemned

Muslim leaders in Denmark and abroad have condemned the drawings, one of which shows Muhammad wearing a turban shaped as a bomb with a burning fuse. Islamic tradition bars any depiction of the prophet, even respectful ones, out of concern that such images could lead to idolatry.

Danish Muslims groups have called on authorities to prosecute Jyllands-Posten, but a regional prosecutor said last week he would not file charges. On Tuesday, the prime minister directed his criticism towards the Muslim group, saying "misinformation" about Denmark had appeared in the Arab media after their tour of the Middle East.

Kasem Ahmad, a spokesman for the Islamic Faith Community, denied the group had spread false information about Denmark. "The Islamic Faith Community has not said anything wrong," he said. "We did nothing wrong by seeking help abroad and making use of our freedom of speech."

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Tracked on Jan 28, 2006 10:07:45 PM

Comments

I am a muslim lady from the United States, and I am just writing to tell the magazine that published those caricatures on our sacred prophet Mohamed PBUH the following words:
If youraim was to change the image of the greatest prophet in the eyes of Muslims, then you succeded, you made him even greater, more sacred and more adored. And something else, if a dog urinates in a great river it does not affect the taste of its water.I only have a question for you: What on earth were you thinking???!!!!!

Posted by: amina | Jan 27, 2006 4:16:16 PM

I am a muslim and honoured to be a muslim. Islam teaches us peace and to love eachother.Islam teaches us how to respect people. We never ever mock and make jokes about any prophet because we believe in all the prophets that God had sent.
I recently saw the caricatures that were published and it made me shed tears. Why would someone do this??

Posted by: Noor | Jan 28, 2006 12:38:54 AM

If the Muslim community in Denmark is feeling marginalized,perhaps they should move back to the various Islamic States from whence they came.Why would they want to live among a bunch of heathen infidels anyway?
Noor,try not to be offended by some stupid cartoon.If Allah is upset about it,let him seek revenge.And please attempt to understand how some Westerners view the "religion of peace." Think 9-11,Madrid,London,Bali,Sudan,etc. And don't say those atrocities were committed by radical Islamic terrorists who do not represent true Islam.On the contrary,they were pious fundamentalists,merely obeying the teachings of the
koran concerning jihad.

Posted by: Dan | Jan 28, 2006 2:25:33 AM

I have few friends from Danmark and sure they are as angry as we are. Sure the caricatures don't change anything, they are just someone stupid idea. He got what he is looking for, popularity, sure he don't deserve it. One more thing, something nonebelievers would never understand, the greatness of God and all prophets. In Denmark, you find a large number of nonebelievers and that what makes it intresting country but please Danes stay away from insulting others putting in mind over 1b muslim.

Posted by: Moh'd Kuwait | Jan 28, 2006 7:50:11 AM

Dan..Thanks for your comment.I truly understand what you are trying to say, I just want to explain something we as muslims are against any killings that have occured in 9/11 etc.. Islam is a religeon of peace it does dont teach us to kill innocent people! All the ones who are talking in the name of Islam and go ahead kill innocent people do not belong in any society and we as muslims do not agree with that.
Some people around the world do not understand what Islam is. I wish someone truly reads about Islam and learn what our religeon teaches us.
Thank you

Posted by: Noor | Jan 28, 2006 11:07:27 AM

Hi all,

When Director Mostapha Al Akkad (God bless his soul) did a movie and called it "Mohammed" the posters got torn and stepped on in london. Which made him change the movie name to "The MESSAGE".

Result: Many people converted to islam and still do.

When Salman Rushdi did his ridiculous book "Satanic Versus" and made fun of the prophet, other prophets, and God himself - he convinced the west that this novel was a result of some deep thinking and therefore was praised by them.

Result: He got banned from the islamic world, and we got blessed by not having him polluting our thoughts..plus made us love islam more.

When Speilberg draws attention to the concentration camps during the Nazi era, people cry.

Result: More hate for the Nazi Era, but no support for the zionists (except from zionists themselves).

When the American Young lady Rachel decided to become an activist to support palestinian cause and got squashed under an American Bulldozer driven by an Israeli man, people cried.

Result: A call for boycott, media hurricane..but then all was quiet.

and finally, when a cartoon caricature on the prophet of God was drawn, muslim officials lose their mind and demand an apology.

Result: While Iraq, Jerusalem, and syria are being raped by western hegemony and Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and rest are few months from bending backwards for israel and usa, muslim officials lose their mind and demand an apology...FOR.... "a caricature"!!!!!

People, stop waisting time and think of what matters. no one can do any harm to the prophets image nor to God and neither to the Qur'an, not even to islam.

Dont let these mediocre events of this little life we live unfocus your reason for existing. Praise God and Thnk him for you are a muslim and Pray God to bless our Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) who is MUCH greater and he himself wouldnt even care if this caricature was drawn in his lifetime.

" There was a time when the Jews would say to him " Al Samu Allaykom" - Poison on you..which sounds like " Al salam Allaykom" - Peace be upon you, and he knew that, but he never replied.

Prophet Mohammed knew whe was there for a greater cause. and God asked us to follow the Prophet's way. So dont let silly matters like this sahke u, make u cry, anger u or even get an emotion or a reaction. Let the infidels be infidels...

For muslims out there: Open your Qur'an and read Surat Alkafiroon. One verse alone will clarify ur mind about this and will be a 100 billion times more profound than what I tried to send to you.

God Bless
MO

Posted by: Mo | Jan 28, 2006 4:39:30 PM

Im christian orthodox, i think even if we do not believe in mohammad or the islam religion we should respect the others feelings and religion, because as we dont like the others to make fun of our religion also we should not make fun of the others religions, it is a very sensitive thing which may cause serious troubles between human beings.
and we should not use the democracy as an execuse to that thing.
the soul of the christianity religion is the love and the respect of others, because Jesus is love and he ordered us to love even the enemies and pray for them too.
I hope that these danish magazines will execuse for muslims and thats it.

Posted by: Rami Mazahreh | Jan 28, 2006 7:35:03 PM

Noor,I hear what you're saying,and I understand that the majority of Muslims today do not agree with killing innocent people.However,the history of Islam is one of violence,conquest and subjugation,from the Arabian peninsula to Iran,India and even parts of Europe,though there were peaceful periods in between.For some reason the peace and co-existence usually didn't last too long,possibly due to the lack of separation of church and state in Islam.
I have read the koran and biography of the prophet,and am wondering if you have read the bible with an open heart.You may have been taught that our scriptures have been changed or erroneously translated,and that Jesus never actually died on the cross,but ask God to show you the truth,ok?
Moh'd,how do you define "non-believer?" I happen to know the greatness of God and the prophets but am a follower of Jesus,not your prophet.Am I therefore a non-believer or just a slightly deluded "person of the Book?"
Mo,very good advice.Let the infidels be infidels,you have your religion,we have ours.Why can't we all just get along for now and let God sort it all out on Judgement Day?

Posted by: Dan | Jan 28, 2006 7:51:22 PM

This is a simple answer of what can we say at least to danish people:
First, I know that we cannot generalise of all danish people... but let me say that your gouvernment dosn’t respect itself...and doesn’t respect the muslim’s pophet: Mohammed , peace be upon him (PBUH)...which is the messenger of ALLAH not just to arabic people but to all this humanity...
It comes as totally strange that the your government, while claiming respect for human rights and freedoms, does permit the publication of such lies and caricatures about Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
The insistence of your government to violate the rights of all Moslems will prompt us to boycott all Danish products in our countries and we will call every Moslem to take similar action
All in all, samihni ya habibi yarassoulaLLAH in konto 9ad 9assarna fi ha99ik

Posted by: Soufiane El Adraoui | Jan 29, 2006 11:47:41 AM

My general reply:
Hey, psst, the article that went with the pictures dealt with a surge of death threaths by muslims against publishers, filmmakers, translators, journalists and so on. In short it dealt with the intimidation of public discourse by radical islamists. The pictures were meant as a "screw you" to that lot, as in "this is what your death threats will get you".

Noor:
All the ones who are talking in the name of Islam and go ahead kill innocent people do not belong in any society and we as muslims do not agree with that.

My response:
Those were the ones the article dealt with, and those were the ones the pictures were intended for.

Noor:
I recently saw the caricatures that were published and it made me shed tears. Why would someone do this??

My response:
Because when your civil liberties are being attaced by a bunch of thugs issuing death threaths it can be pretty damn tempting to proove their efforts counterproductive, know what I mean?

Posted by: some norwegian | Jan 29, 2006 2:46:57 PM

what a shame????????????
God destroys our enemies and ruines them
hassbona alah w nim al wakeel
thanks

Posted by: saja | Jan 29, 2006 6:58:58 PM

Well!

Its shame first of all to do any such stupid act!
Whether you like it or not you have to live in peace with all religions!

At the same time I wonder what would be the world’s reaction if something similar was done to any other religion.
It has happened on many occasions which was not taken that seriously

May be this also should be treated the same and carry on with life!

Posted by: Raghu | Jan 30, 2006 1:59:39 AM

I am a Muslim from Egypt who has been truly hurt because of your insult to our Prophet Mohamed, you can never imagine how all of us here in Egypt are disappointed from your situation, We want an apologies from you otherwise Denmark will be on our Black list; the least which we can do is to make sure that no product from Denmark is sold all around Egypt.
If you consider yourselves civilized, then apologies for what your press has done towards our Prophet who is much more precious than our souls.

Posted by: khaled | Jan 30, 2006 3:45:39 AM

Shame on you and shame all of Denmark for not protesting against your deep insult to our precious Prophet Mohamed.
There is a rage of anger all over Egypt because of your un acceptable behaviour.

Posted by: Shereen | Jan 30, 2006 3:53:27 AM

Dear All

People have the freedom to act and think but not to harm Others physical. Mohammed has made so many crimes in the world, though he is dead now. During his establishment of the Ismalimic Religion he was sued by the Mecca people. He took refugee in Medina and from there he gathered some powerful men and nourished them with his philosophy of Jihad(Terrorisim). And then controlled Mecca using power. But Jesus (The great educater of peace) never used power. The Ismalic Relgion has spread to the world through a serious of conquests. Making people to believe by the power of sowrd. And any one who quit the relgion was to be killed. This is clearly stated in the Koran or Haddis. So Dear all what do you think of if some one tells that Mohammed is a terrorist in A Caricature way. Well, I will say he is a blessed Person.

Posted by: Eritrean Christain | Jan 30, 2006 4:43:21 AM

to all muslim brothers and sisters..go ahead for the boycott BUT this is NOT all we have to do..before addressing others we have to realise how much we all participated and are still participating in damaging the picture of islam..not by being extremists as we all know that islam is not what a few people are presenting..we have to start being positive to this world..to represent ourselves as leaders not followers to other nations..we have to work hard to fight poverty, ignorance, suppression, superficialism,..etc that are going among us and to start working as one nation..the true muslim nation that Allah ordered us to be..working as one person leading the world and humanity to prosperity, peace, creativity, well-being, team work, self denial and all our values that had been long forgotten or ignored to consume our time and effort in silly small battles that are leading us nowhere..
PLEASE WAKE UP AND START WORKING HARD..THIS IS WHAT WILL PLEASE ALLAH AND OUR PROPHET

Posted by: ahmad | Jan 30, 2006 4:52:16 AM

ahamad,

that is the best comment I've read so far. Thank you.

Posted by: Stefan | Jan 30, 2006 5:15:37 AM

iam an egyptian christian who wants to sat few things: christianity is a religion of love and faith and respect for other profits. i read the Koran and though i am a very faithfullchristian i did not find that much of a difference between it and the bible actually love, faith, and respect. prophet mohamed sayings and the koran include dozens of messages of respect and appreciation for jesus, mary and christianity so I can nly say i am sorry for what the Dan newspaper did and for all the Muslim community act now act in acivilized way in which the west will understand and respect act in the way that islam as my humble understanding of it requires for you
send petitions to the neswspaper including any historical facts about islam and prophet mohamed that may change their idea, same to danish embassies all over the world
contact human rights organization and send them petitrions about the situation'
if u have money go and su them they deserve it
no faith christian, muslim, hindu should be attcked we are all god's made
bless u all

Posted by: Michelle | Jan 30, 2006 8:55:03 AM

Well, having read all comments so far I still fail to see the deep insults some of you claim. I have seen the caricatures and while partial offensive, they are not really anything to use violence for (as is already happening). This really puts a negative feeling on my view on Islam and its followers.

Expressing your opionion by not buying Danish goods for while is one way to raise your voice but I am not sure you gain much respect doing that (maybe with other muslims). You should have acted civilised (not buying is ok ;-) ) and used the same media to raise your voice. The newspaper JyllandPosten would have printed your side of the story and using such a discussion, everyone would have been wiser.

Also, the muslims that went from Denmark to "inform" about the case used falsified information as the original information wasn't sufficient to make a case out of. Why is it that this mis-information is being believed? If you (muslim) make a choice not to buy Danish goods, make sure you have your information straight and act of your own will and not because of mass-hysteria.

Anyway, I am not a believer in any religion but I will respect any person wanting to believe in any god they want. But if you live in Denmark, expect freedom of speech to offend you (as long as it isn't criminal).

By the way, its nice not to belief in an god/prohpet/whatever... You rarely get offended :-)

Remember: This is my personal view and I hope yours are/will be as well.

Posted by: some Dane | Jan 30, 2006 9:29:13 AM

lahi nazal 3la boukoum ana3la ya wlad lhlalef atfou.

Posted by: amine | Jan 30, 2006 10:39:34 AM

I shit and piss on the Quran, the Bible, Jesus, Mohamamed, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and any/all organized religions that oppose my freedom of speech.

Posted by: CopyKat | Jan 30, 2006 12:32:28 PM

Miss amine not MISS AMINA (I THIMK YOUR COMMENTS ARE GRACIOUS!) or whatever your name is
i think you are disgusting and deserve prison for what you have just said
i understand this is what u belive but it does not mean u hurt other peoples feeling who belive in the religons u "shit and piss on"
u are a horrible person!!!!!

Posted by: george | Jan 30, 2006 4:34:12 PM

peace on you ( salam Alykum )

we are very sorry about what happened, but we muslims respect all relegiones and we never harm any other religones, therefor, all other religiones logically shoud do the same, but from what we can see now days that there is no place for peace of respect and always the stronger over ride the weak with no sympathy. mohamad SAAW is out prophet and we will sacrify our lif for him and for our religion

Thanks

Posted by: AHmed | Jan 30, 2006 4:36:40 PM

IT IS THE MOST STUPID AND POORLY PERSON HOW DO IT THIS... SOON YOU WILL PAYED SO SO SO EXPENSIV MORE THEN YOU THINKS... BOMBARDED YOUR DIRTY CONTRY... IT IS THE PRICE OF YOUR STUPIDITY. TFOUUH ALIKOM YA KANAZIR EL FISK... YA ZIBALA.
HANNABAL...

Posted by: Hannibal | Jan 30, 2006 5:08:53 PM

Well...for all the freedom believers out there ...who said u can do any thing in the the name of freedom...in USA a person is sued for a defamtion of a character ...but I guess prophet mohammmad is an exception in your so called freedom of speech...well I invite u all to palestine to go check the zionist way of freedom to live let alone freedom to talk...

Posted by: sam | Jan 30, 2006 7:26:09 PM

Please, just stop fighting, ok?

Posted by: God | Jan 30, 2006 7:43:10 PM

We Muslims are peaceful and love all religions. We respect freedoms of all kinds and especially freedom of speech. (Ignore the blasphemy laws in all Islamic countries, etc., etc.)

Death to America. Death to Denmark. Death to anybody who disagrees or who does not worship our great god Muhammad. Oops; I meant Prophet.

We want everybody to just be happy and to get along. As long as they pray to Mecca 3 times a day and obey the entire catalog of Islamic regulations, etc., etc. Peace be to Allah. I mean Muhammad.

Repeat after me: Islam is the religion of peace. (or we will slice your throats)

Posted by: Al Akbar | Jan 30, 2006 8:05:32 PM

@Al Akbar: your posting seems quite sarcastic and there is obviously some truth in your words as is apparent from other postings in this thread.

Muslims may respect other relgions yet they do not appear to respect the life of human beings. Why else would they kill of they own family just because of some wierd shame issue. Family killers do exist in Denmark as well, but they are very rare and usually mentally disturbed people. But killing family seems accepted by so many islamics and this is my main concern with islam. If anyone in my family decides go against my familys wish on who to marry/have sex with, that is their choice and theirs alone. The rest of the family can comment on it but mostly we want what is best for the individual. Our own concern is of less value. It seems muslims have it the other way around. The own concern seems to have the highest value and every one else have a lower value. That is very egocentric. And that is root of the communication gap between our cultures; you value belief higher than life, we value life higher than belief.

Posted by: some Dane | Jan 30, 2006 8:46:41 PM

Just a thought. The idea behind not portraying Muhammad (PBUH) in pictures is to prevent him from being worshipped as an idol. Yet many of the posts I have read so far seem to be doing just that. If Muhammad is just a man (albeit the seal of the prophets), then how can it be sacriligious/blasphemous/insulting/degrading to show him being caricaturized as other men are? No one has ever thrown a fit because their king or president was caricaturized, because despite their power, THEY ARE STILL JUST MEN. Were it a caricature of Allah, I could see there being such a strong reaction. But such a fierce reaction to the drawing of Muhammad seems to achieve less, rather than more - it only turns him into a sacred object of worship, one who cannot ever be criticized. Shouldn't such dedication be reserved for God alone?

Posted by: Megabyte100 | Jan 30, 2006 9:05:43 PM

I think one of the biggest problems in the middle east today is the effect oil has had on its population. Much like a individual who inherits a large sum of money, an individual needs to live up to the responsiblity or like so many people, they become corrupt and use money to simple feed their needs...instead of using it to change & improve their lives.

Look at what has happened in the middle east in the past 60 year. Its has gone from one of the harshest environment and culture to live in, where tribes literally fought for water....now it has some of the highest per capita income in the world. Unfortunately, this wealth wasn't created through production and creativity...this has had subtle effects on its people.

In order to create the wealth of major nations (like is found in a Microsoft, GE or Proctor & Gamble) people need to be educated, they need to focus on customers needs, they need to work together, which has a very postive affect on the individual and society.

To create wealth in the ME, All this is needed is control of the land the oil sits under and paying foreigners to supply the technology and do the the work. There is no need to change ones way of thinking to gather this waelth. This is most evident though the $$$ spent promoting of Wahabi Islam outside of Saudi Arabia over the past 30 years. Inherited money used to promote old ideas which may have work when you were fighting your desert battles, but which are quickly finding their limitations in today's world.

Money hides alot of sins....and allows an unnatural system and ideas to exist longer than they should.

I expect in time much of Islam will mellow its tone and join the rest of the world. (many already have) It is going through the same the pains that christianity went through a few hundred years ago.

I'm not going to ignore that your countries have been taken advantage of over the past hundred years by western countries. However time has passed. Democracy is the obvious global winner....will your cultures be up for joining the rest of the world and coming into the fold. Once you do, it will become much more difficult to attack one another.

I agree with many of the comment on this board...concerning the threats of death. Regardless of what anyone say about Mohammad or Islam...isn't it the ideas and beliefs of Islam that are most important.
These are the things that improve your life.
If someone degrades Mohammad, aren't they simply showing their ignorance and lack of understanding of Islam. And isn't there a silent justice here...when someone is ignorant, they might not even understand the effects it has on their own life.

I doubt they need a bullet in their head to help remind them

One last comment...when I read the Muslim comments from this board...and they refer to non-believers...it reminds me of similar statements I hear from Born Again Christians in our country. Though each group (BAC and Muslims) pray to a different God, I supect their thinking and motivations are much more similar than they care to believe.

Posted by: peter | Jan 31, 2006 1:40:50 AM

In fact what i think is that we muslims all over the world have a same wavelength at which we can think about things or one can say we have a common state of mind which is built through our belief system. We have given such a high stature to the things of belief like God, Prophets, Companions of the prophet etc.. that not even we ourselves cannot criticize them but we cannot tolerate any criticism from others too.

Actually, muslims dont even know about what the freedom of speech means. Nothing should be sacred or exempted from being discussed or displayed.

We Muslims have a closed vision of things and situations. Our belief system has in fact closed our minds by blocking any new ideas and made us stuck in a time frame of the past which was ever there in Arabia fourteen centuries ago. We regard the Arab Bedoions our leaders and taken their ideologies as our life systems.

In this pursuit we have also forgotton our very own cultures and traditions which have been overlapped by those of arabs. Shame on us.

The world is right in its any and every action it takes about us. The person coming from the wrong lane always considers that he is on right way and all others are coming from the wrong direction. This is what we muslims do today.

Blame the world for our wrong deeds and never admit ours

Posted by: Candid | Jan 31, 2006 2:19:03 AM

I am a practicing Moslem, living in the Moslem world. I think we should be more ashamed at our reaction towards the practice of free media. If a cartoonist chooses to make fun of a religious figure, it is their right. We in the Arab world are hypocrites, we are angry the State limits our freedom in the media, yet we expect the world to limit media freedom when it comes to Islam? I've seen a good share of cartoons mocking Christianity and Jews and their prophets. It is just unfortunate that such a cartoon emerges at a time when Islam has a bad reputation.

I found the cartoon personally offensive, nevertheless, I would rather have people freely airing out their opinions, concerns and humour, than the State controlling the media.

Posted by: Looloo | Jan 31, 2006 4:54:12 AM

To Danes,

I’m writing to you in what concerns the prophet Muhammad peace and blessing of Allah be upon him. I really wonder how you can dare to publish such a mean and uncivilised thing on the pages of your shameful newspaper, the pictures which caused you to get a bad reputation in the whole Muslim world. It is a shame for any one to humiliate another person, whoever is he and wherever is he from. So what can be said about humiliating one of the prophets whom the God sent to the humans through history to guide them, to stream them out of the darkness and to make them different from the insane beasts? Why all this hatred and malice, brainless and ignorance… have you ever read about Muhammad? If so, I’m extremely sure that you were given a wrong picture about him and falsified information about his life and his message, or you are deceiving the public opinion in your country by making fun on the seal of the prophets “Muhammad”. But the barking dogs never bite, as the proverb says.
I blame on your ignorance before blaming you on your impudence. Is it a democratic behaviour to insult others? I think that democracy has limits and liberty is restricted by principles. By the way, why don’t you apply the principles of democracy on your selves before preaching the others to do so since it calls for the respect of the others? How can the human rights -that you are claiming- allow you to touch the dignity of the others and debase them? Or it is just a powder in the eyes!!!!
I’m not going to insult you as you did with our prophet, because his teachings don’t permit us to do so. I want you just to know the truth if you don’t know it or to spot this fierce scandalous campaign if you are doing this in purpose to disguise the reality. I want you just to correct your mistake and apology on those shameful caricatures that led you to lose many interests in the world. For example at level of economy, you will cost it expensively since the Muslims all over the world will boycott your products because of those irresponsible attitudes. Some economists estimated that Danes will lose €39 billions in a six months boycotting period. So don’t you put all this into consideration!!!
This is what the stupid can do with himself. This is just the beginning so expect for more.
At the end, I bear witness that there is no God but Allah and Muhammad his messenger.

Posted by: hocine | Jan 31, 2006 5:09:36 AM

Iam as a muslim very sad to hear this abuse to the final prophet Muhammed(peace be upon him).And I ask those people what will be your response if any one abused your religion.But we say we have our own religion and you have your own. We say this massage peacily, BUT, if any one tries to touch our religion, he will see the result, if not by our hands, will be by Allah's punishment.

Posted by: Mahy Mustafa | Jan 31, 2006 5:22:25 AM

I find it hard to understand how people can say that Islam is a religion of peace when the Koran instructs its followers to wage a Jihad against the infidels (i.e everybody else).

From the Koran:

[4.94]...when you go to war in Allah's way... [4.95] ...those who strive hard [Jihad] in Allah's way with their property and their persons are not equal...Allah shall grant to the strivers [i.e., Jihadist] above the holders back a mighty reward.

..make firm those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them.

...slay the idolaters wherever you find them...take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush...

I think it's pretty clear from the above excerpts that it is an outright lie that Islam is a religion of peace. It is intolerant, barbaric and brutal.

Posted by: south african | Jan 31, 2006 5:30:06 AM

assalamo alikoum
j arrive pas a croir tout ce que j ai lu!
c st ce qu ils voulaient...je crois maintenant qu ils sont tres satisfait de leur exploi.
je suis musulmane,je n ai jamais critiquer aucune autre religion.d ailleur on est tous comme ca,ceux qui disent contraire,doivent revoire leurs idés.
le prophete mohammad alaihi ssalam est un messagé de dieu,tout comme jessue et tous les autrs.
on dois pas se faire male,faut pas donner l occasion aux ennemis de la paix de juire par de tel actes.reston amis,et surtout reston homain.

Posted by: fatima ezzohra | Jan 31, 2006 6:12:17 AM

We Muslims don't have to defend Islam or justify why those who are committing acts of terror are not real Muslims. Because simply this is not the case when a Christian or a Jew or whoever believes in a religion commits an act of terror. Dear Westerners, you're acting as if all the crimes in the world have been perpetrated by Muslims forgetting about the world wars, the nuclear bomb that was thrown on innocent people killing millions, the old massacres between Christian sects, and other millions of examples... you name them.

Posted by: Nevin Hammady | Jan 31, 2006 6:41:56 AM

this is terrible. when I saw this I was so confused and sad, too. people do a lot of stupid things. but this is not stupid, this is for death. i haven't words to desribe this, really.

Posted by: Bosnia | Jan 31, 2006 10:41:11 AM

To Nevin Hammady:

Regardless if your consider the people committing acts of terror to be real Muslims are not, they are hijacking your religion. I would think it would be in your best interest to correct this misunderstanding through denoucing the acts and fighting the terrorist yourselves...since they are in your community.

Its unfortunate that we all make generalizations about countries, cultures, people & religions (it is very human), however instead of pointing at the west and highlighting our faults...it might be best for Muslims to simply clean up their own issues or at least assist the west in the process.

Posted by: peter | Jan 31, 2006 11:45:58 AM

Hi Everyone,

Going through all the postings I found some very good explanations and some very "dirty" ones about what Islam really is. Anyways, I do believe in freedom of expression as a Muslim as long as it doesn't hurt any group of people. For what I have been taught through out my childhood from my parents is to respect all the religions because we believe in all the prophets but the last Prophet is Muhammad "Sallallah Alayhi Wasalam". Islam means peace and we really believe in piece. Those people that are threatening other religions and kidnapping them such as in Iraq and killing them are "beasts" they are not part of us. Islam never taught us to slaughter infedels. Those people that did 9/11 are the infedels cause they were manipulated by this man who was somewhere in Afghanistan giving them orders as if he was God. If he had a problem with America because of an internal matter that was happening in Saudia Arabia, He should have stepped up and tryed to solve the problem peacefully as we have learnt from the Prophets teachings. He made the Muslim reputation look like "shit" and excuse my language. Having to be a Muslim and study in the US and at an Aeronautical University makes me go through lots of problems. Just because Im Arab and a Muslim, most of the times here the students dont call me by my name. They will say "hey terrorist" or make sure you learn how to land that plane well and not just fly it straight. I used to care in the beginning but later stopped because I knew that they were ignorant. So to all of you that are out there, Please do not believe that those Terrorists are Muslims even if they say so. Cause the reallity is that they are Not. They are making up there own religion.

Thank you and may peace be upon you.

Posted by: owbe | Jan 31, 2006 12:32:27 PM

Democracy and freedom of speech does not mean despise others religions and make fun of prophets.these caricatures show the stinky minds of these fake editors ,and their great hatered for Islam and Moslems.they are only guided by stereotypes and prejudices towards our culture.The president of the Danish Writers considers the reaction of moslems as a threat to freedom of speech.Can he and these fake editors make fuuny caricatures of the jewish and the pope?surely,they can not.Danish writers and editors can make satires freely and foolish statements about their queen and their beliefs,but they have no right to do so with our prophet.

Posted by: nouredine | Jan 31, 2006 4:05:16 PM

Asa,i just need to say ALLAHO AKBAR and SALLA ALLAHO wa sallam ala ashrafi il khalki wal morsalina. No one can harm God almighty and his beloved prophet peace be upon him. May be with these caricatures now all moslems came to know that westeners are declaring war openly against Islam.
ISLAM is the religion of GOD and it will never be affected by this bunch of stupid ignorants. I bet if they khow anything from Quran or Sunna.
Most importantly for us moslems is to stick together and keep teaching our little children Quran and Hadith from their early age; we will fight this way because that's the right Jihaad in Islam the religion of peace and love

Posted by: om Ibrahim | Jan 31, 2006 5:33:31 PM

Lets not miss the point here among all these degressions.

1. The news paper published what they and I consider to be Freedom of Speech. If muslims are offended, so be it. The world has almost two rules now - one for the muslims and another for the rest of humanity. Its unfair because we have to share the same planet with the muslims and that cannot be done if we are told/demanded/threatened to live by their rules.

2. All muslim nations united in the boycott of Danish products. Tomorrow it will be towards some other non-muslim nation. Live and let Live. You follow your rules and regulations and let us live by ours. Its not unknown to us what you folks write/advertise/demonstrate about us in your countries… but thats your business so we let go. You don’t allow the preaching or establishment of other religions in your country (i am speaking of Saudi in particular). but we let you guys start your mosques in our sacred lands… It would be wise if you understand that everyone has a tolarance limit.

3. Gays .. no gays.. what your book says I don’t care a fidler’s fart .. as long as you stick with it in your nations. When a child does something wrong, you critisize his parents for poor up-bringing. When a student performs bad, you have to partly blame his teacher for not caring enough. So don’t tell me that the book you worship as nothing to do with all these lunatic jihadis running around.

4. Most religions stress that their god is greatest, but also says to respect other believers. But your creed just chooses to call them Khafirs (infidals) and pray death upon them!! OOhh.. islam is a religion of so much peace and love.. true .. the if condition being only if you are a muslim.

So getting back to the core issues. Ban all you want, just don’t dream of poluting the sanctity of another nations freedom. Keep your oppressed/suppressed way of existance to your own nations.. thank you.

I may have come accross to many as being the same as these Jihadis with strong hatred filled firm-polite words…. In this case you are correct… I am what I am now because I had to live in the middle east for 2 years.. and any non-muslim has to experience it himself to understand my disgust.

Posted by: daisy | Jan 31, 2006 11:28:12 PM

There are a few posts here particularly, the first and second one in which the individuals expressed their regret to the publications. I truly sympathize with them but many others like one person above gave some really ridiculous examples as to why more people are converting to islam.

Sure.. islam is the most quickly rising religion, but thats not because of your good teachings, its because you marry many many wives policy......

Sure events like these may be making more die-hard muslims, but your actions are making much more die-harder muslim barriers. United States had its borders open to almost all, but the jihadhi deeds have now alienated muslims here. Now Denmark has joined the league. Soon the world will be truly muslim vs rest of humans.

What was depicted in the paper is a crual reflection of what most of us non-muslims have in our minds but hardly speak out. Its true... very true. no matter how much you say islam is a religion on peace, your actions, words and acts like the boycott of entire Denmark for some newspapers act speak nothing good of your religious book or your Prophet. I keep reading stuff like - let all the infidals (non muslims) be taught a lesson - Allah the great (PBUH), let god take revenge on them - Allah the greatest (PBUH)!! I never read something like May Allah forgive them, or may Allah show them the right way or let their souls rest in peace etc etc..? Everything you muslims say and do is full of hatred for others and to cover it up, you say its a religion of peace and love!!!!

I don't want to drive anyone out of this discussions, I just wanted to let myself out and I am not going to post again... so go ahead and paint your pure picture as much as you want. Karma... you deeds should speak of what you are and not your words.

Posted by: sammy | Jan 31, 2006 11:52:02 PM

I want to take back my previous posting and apologize. I just read a few initial posts and some from other sites and jumbed at writing my own but later read that most of the posts here are different and repeatedly stress that islam has nothing to do with the jihadis. I kind of feel bad for having said all those things. Having let myself out, I now feel really bad, particularly reading many of your posts, but it is very true that my experience in the middle east was very very unpleasant.

Words are like a stone, once it leaves your hands, there is no taking it back. I know that but as I cannot delete it, i just want to express my apologies.

Posted by: daisy | Feb 1, 2006 12:04:43 AM

http://caricature.8m.com

Posted by: Roz | Feb 1, 2006 1:42:46 AM

I severely condemn caricatures about our Dear Prophet Mohammed(peace be upon him)and invite people to join this condemnation.
As a Muslim we love Jesus, Mose and Abraham.So what kind of hate is this?? Denmark made a big mistake. This is not freedom or something else.This is directly an insult.What a pity! Rasmussen is invited to be rational and respective. All God-believers are invited to condemn this disgrace and scandal.
Peace be upon all believers.

Posted by: Abdulkadir Gulsen | Feb 1, 2006 5:27:08 AM

The dummbest religion in the world is the one that makes its followers FRIGHTENED to name its messanger without bumbo jumbo (slalah alaihe va ale va salam...). it is stupid and ignorant, just like most of its followers. Now look at the stupidity of the muslims to get upset about a free man who chooses to draw this dude. None of your business to get upset. go and stay with your backward ideas in your own home. Amin. Long live non religious mind, down with stupid religion. Islam is as dumb as the rest, deal with it...

Posted by: Rashid | Feb 1, 2006 11:48:10 AM

It is always dangerous when a nation gives a pen to people with the mentality of a mad dog. A dark point in the history of the press in Denmark and Norway indeed. Yet neither did it hurt the Prophet of truth nor will it ever make Islam any less great. Still we- Muslims- are people of honor, people who stand by truth and who fear no human being whatever power he/she has. The incident of the caricature on Islam did offend us as much as it offends us to see Jesus and other prophets- peace be upon them- continuously ridiculed by Christians and non-Christians. It is strange such darkness of the intellect, heart and soul comes from Europe.

Posted by: camellia | Feb 1, 2006 12:11:49 PM

It's quiet interesting how these debates are sort of speaking on totally different poles. having personally lived in both the west, and the muslim world, i can tell how they both speak on two different uncommon grounds.

First of all, its amazing how many Danes post view Islam as a religion of violence and intolerance. One spoke of the prophet as a person who came back to Mecca via force to recapture it. I just wonder, where, or how were you educated to think this way. it speaks to me of what kind of media people read in his country.

I would like to clarify, that to us, muslims, Muhammed is not any person, he is our prophet. prophets in islam do not commit sins or faults. Islam shows the greatest respect to Jesus, Moses and many other, that we believe, are prophets too.

One posting from South Africa was showing versus from the qur'an that encourage what he called (Jihad). Jihad, means to fight in the name of god with whatever means you can. But, never a pre-emptive strike. Islam never mentions starting to attack any nations. Jihad is only used to defend our religion and beliefs. These versus from the quran are written to describe part of the history that happened, why muslims fought wars of 3000 vs 30,000 and yet managed to win. It does say that they believed truely in one god, and will find their respective places in heaven. It does not (encourage) fighting in any circumistance. I'm not a very religious preson, but i know one thing, u cannot extract some versus without reading the context they're in. unfortunately ppl misunderstand versus this way, be it westerns (like this south african post) or ourselves (these so called "terorrists").

Not all countries resided to violence against your danish cartoons. My country, Qatar, where people are not all muslims, and yes, we do not harm westerns there, have decided to boycott danish products. Please don't relate islam to violence when not all countries gave death threats to danes. A small minority group decides to send death threates, and then the western media is more than happy to depict it as the "whole country sends death threats and hates westerns".

People, you have chosen to draw free cartoons that truely disrespected a faith. I'm with freedom of speech in any sort, but against offending some people's beliefs with them. Exploiting democracy in this sense is very, stupid if i may say.

People that are religious and were offended couldn't just continue buying Danish products. it was the only way to pressure the newspaper for their acts, so they (or we) chose to boycott their products. it seems that this is the only way danes were getting pressured or hurt in the same way they hurt our beliefs and disrespected them ? and it surprised me that their newspaper apologized following the boycott, it seems too much pressure from danish companies against the newspaper. Again, for people who associate islam to violence, please read carefully, and read about our respect to other nations and beliefs before critisizing ours.

Posted by: Abdulla - Qatar | Feb 1, 2006 12:39:57 PM

First off there's no point of posting anymore arguments of whether Islam is peaceful or not. Those who are Muslim, me being one, we know the truth. For those of you who are all one-sided and listen to what's spoonfed to you from the media can have your own opinion.

The one thing that gets me though is how people are saying we shouldn't be arguing the caricature thing. Now pardon my language a bit, but all of you know if it was Jesus depicted in the caricatures, Christians and those communities who are devout to Jesus would flip a shit. I never saw these drawings but from what I've heard, how would you feel if they drew Jesus with a bomb around his head rather than the crown of thorns? Or a bomb instead of the cross? You would have the SAME reaction.

Everyone has they're freedom of speech and religion. I'm not saying what the guy did was right but he did what he did. But if you're going to do something like that at least follow fact instead of stereotypical ideas.

Posted by: Frazzy | Feb 1, 2006 1:52:39 PM

Give me a break. Jesus has been depicted in the past in some of the most gut wrenching of forms. All across the globe actually. The Catholic church has been defamed as well.
But to call sanctions over cartoons? And call for fatwah against the author and criminal proceedings? How foolish does this make the muslim culture look? Hey the conservative Christian right here in the U.S looks dangerous to me, but it doesn't look like rabid dogs, taking into consideration the reaction from the Muslim world. I mean isn't there enough terrible things going on right now.
And would I be offended if Jesus was on a bomb instead of a cross? No not really. Firstly I can't seem to relate Christians blowing themselves up in the streets, killing and maiming others. This to me looks like a cultural issue. Can you not see the correlation there? That is what the western world sees I am afraid. And although Mohammed would not condone the self destruction of its followers, its followers are doing just that. In his name. So again give me a break. It is all good and well to beleive in your God but to follow with such blinding faith is pure lunacy. Find a real issue and lets get positive.

Posted by: nick | Feb 1, 2006 2:29:52 PM

To Frazzy:

"all of you know if it was Jesus depicted in the caricatures, Christians and those communities who are devout to Jesus would flip a shit"

I agree with your statement. If someone made a caricatures of Jesus molesting an alter boy, the religous right in the US would have a shit.

The difference being...there would not be the death threats that we have seen with the caricatures of Muhammad. And this is a important point.

Maybe someone is the muslim community can explain why what seems like a large and vocal part of your community immediately turns to violence. It is very noticable being non-muslim. Its very similar to people I know who are on the edge(emotionally) when anything wrong is said, they go off like a keg of gun powder.

I'm trying to understand this trend since I think most non-muslims see this the same way.

Posted by: peter | Feb 1, 2006 2:37:21 PM

Peter,I've been pondering the extreme reaction to these cartoons,and may have come up with an explanation.I think it's as much a cultural phenomenon as a religious one,having to do with honor and respect.Middle-Easterners,and especially Arabs value their honor and integrity much more than most Westerners.Therefore,when the prophet is disrespected it is taken rather personally.Someone else commented on the fact that the protests were almost exclusively from Arab countries,not from places like Indonesia and India,even though those areas have more muslims than the ME does.

Posted by: Dan | Feb 1, 2006 3:19:14 PM

Greetings all. Having just started my second semester of an international MBA, and really focusing on international trade now, I have to say I'm fascinated by the Arab/Muslim boycott of an independent company. Of course, there have been lots of boycotts by lots of industries. Some have been justified. Some less so. Think of the world’s divestiture from South African investments in the 80’s. That was a clear catalyst to a peaceful regime change in that country. A country I have had the pleasure to holiday in on several occasions. Many reasonable people would suggest that “boycott” had a net positive affect on the world. Myself included.

Now, transition to 2006. Political cartoons published in a Danish newspaper featuring the Prophet Muhammed in a, shall we say, less than holy light. I have to say, I don’t speak Dutch, nor do I read Arabic. So I only found one to be visually offensive. Of course, I’m only getting half the story. The bomb-on-the-turban was a little over the top. But here’s the distinction. Ink on paper doesn’t cause physical harm. Pyschic harm perhaps. Ruffling of feathers. Definitely. But that’s what free society is about. It’s why my fraternity brothers didn’t behead the clan members when they had their annual march through a small southern city every year. I find their actions repugnant and backwards, but as long as they’re not physically harming or terrorizing anyone, well, they’re entitled to their own, however stupid, opinion.

So they get a free pass here. Just as an Islamic newspaper might here if they were to draw a cartoon of Jesus, or Pat Robertson, or GWB for that matter. Mere ideas are not crimes. Crimes must have an action that demonstrate a clear harm behind them.

Which brings me back to my point. Who’s being harmed by the Arab/Islamic boycott of Danish products? Certainly the Dutch dairy company is being hurt in the short term. (Which, incidentally, had nothing at all to do with the cartoons.) But also, by limiting supply, the price for similar domestic and foreign products will rise. And that causes harm to local economies, shoppers, and the local employees who are in the supply chain of the affected company.

As history has demonstrated time and time again, free markets of commerce and ideas create wealth and provide incentives for people to make a better life for themselves. Closed markets create poverty. One simply has to look at North Korea or Cuba for proof. On the other hand, take a look at South Korea or China and see what an aggressive trade policy and an opening up of ideas (however slow) can do for people. Spread products and ideas come in right through the open door.

So what can the people of the Islamic world do? Understand the west is different. We don’t have the same principles as you. We have a saying here in the U.S. which I will attempt to paraphrase, and that is–“I disagree with everything you said, but I fully support your right to say it.” The Islamic world would be better off to try and see the west through that lens.

Why not focus your boundless energies on improving the lot of your people. Encouraging commerce. Develop brands people want. And find something that you can sell besides oil, because it’s running out. Work towards peaceful, stable democracies. Then, maybe you would attract more foreign investments and tourism. I, for one, would love to holiday in your truly beautiful lands. But I’m quite adverse to exploding on holiday. My 2 cents.

Posted by: Andreas Papodachus | Feb 1, 2006 3:59:07 PM

Question to all muslim brothers: IMAGINE IF THIS ACT WAS DONE DURING LIFETIME OF OUR BELOVED PROPHET, WHAT WOULD HAVE HE ADVISED ALL MUSLIMS TO DO............ I AM SURE WE ARE NOT FOLLOWING HIS GREATNESS AND KINDNESS AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DWELL IN DARKNESS. Lets protest with peace and keep it up.

Posted by: Mazhar | Feb 1, 2006 5:55:24 PM

I am a muslim and i thought it funny
the fuss is about the scratchings of color on a few pieces of paper, i laughed and would think that the prophet would too , i think we need to remember that the GOD is the judge in all things
if god allows even the devil free will ,then why do we fuss about what is said about religon in europe

Posted by: QAS | Feb 1, 2006 6:33:27 PM

Nice Andreas!!!

You have hit the nail on the head.

Posted by: Nick Thomson | Feb 1, 2006 6:37:09 PM

People need to wake up! In the past, Islam really was an extremely violent religion which essentially force converted all of Northern Africa, much of the Byzantine Empire and Southern Spain, you cannot agrue otherwise, so when people say that Islam is a religion of peace, it is a little hard to believe. I have read the Koran and I am shocked at the number of passages about violence, especially toward anyone who is not Muslim.
Also, when you consider beliefs such as Sharia law or the belief in Islam that one is to be killed if they convert away form Islam, it is outrageous to claim that Islam does not have violent roots.
The reaction from the Muslim world is outragoues, Christians would not make violent and murderous threats if Jesus was depicted in some unflattering way, yet the Muslim community is in an uproar over such a little thing.
Lastly, it is important to note than Northern (scandinavian) Europe has a very high population of atheists, so it is not right to assume Christians had anythign to do with this cartoon.

Posted by: peter | Feb 1, 2006 7:16:27 PM

by the way i love andreas comment and i wholeheartedly agree.

Posted by: peter | Feb 1, 2006 7:21:00 PM

Aren't we (the West) a bit hipocritical? We demand that Muslims respect our freedom of press, our values, our way of thinking but aren't we the first to point fingers at what we think are things that aren't right in the Muslim society (no democracy, no rights for women, etc.)?

So we didn't like Iraq because, among many other things, they didn't like democracy. So we went there, fought a war and planted democracy. Makes the boycott of danish products look like child's play.

Posted by: howthewestwaswon | Feb 1, 2006 11:01:20 PM

I am an honored Moslem student of the Philippines, I was born to be a Moslem and I will die still a Moslem.

ASTAG FARULLAH..Denmark

We Moslem, we are not forcing anybody to believed in our God and his prophet, but we just only need your respect. In what Jylland Posten did, only two things entered in my mind;
1. Maybe they are NOT fully educated.
2. Maybe they are grown in a RESPECT LESS place, that’s why they didn’t know how to respect other people.

You know in what you have done, I think they better kill one Islam people than doing that bullshit and bad thing in our prophet coz it hurts a lot for us. If you wish to insult all Islam people in this world, I may say…YES you made it on the spot but...Always put in your empty brain that We Islam will still strongly believed and we still loved our god and his prophet, I know that you are one of the Satan in our way in believing our religion.

If you cant understand what Islam religion is? You better shut up…
I’m wishing all the bad luck in you life and feel the KARMA!!!

Posted by: Basit | Feb 2, 2006 12:37:42 AM

True, there is no need to redicule other people's religion, but I wish the Muslim world would worry more about the reforms they so desparately need rather than get so excited about perceived slights or insults. What matters more today, insults or feeding your poor and changing dictatorial leders?

Posted by: Nabeel | Feb 2, 2006 12:49:25 AM

Peace, Love, and Discipline begins from…
Respect
Teaching and Learning on how to respect people is very important in this world…

Always remember it..

Posted by: Basit | Feb 2, 2006 12:58:08 AM

ITS NOT FARE TO PUBLISH THE CARTOON DEFACING ANY RELIGION WHETHRE THEY ARE MAJORITY OR MINORITY. BEING A MUSLIM I CANNOT DIGEST THIS AS A FREEDOM OF EXPRESION. IF SOMEBODY PREACHING FOR FREEDOM FOR EXPRESSION THEY HAVE TO REPORT ON AMERICAN INVANIOS IN IRAQ FOR NO REASON, KILLING LOT OF PEOPLE,LEAVING IRAQIS HOMELESS AND RUINING THE ANCIENT PROPERTIES ETC ETC. FREEDOM FOR EXPRESSION SHOULD USED FOR THE GOODNEES OF MAN KIND NOT TO FEED RACISM

Posted by: Rasheed Abdul Khader,Deira Orient,Dubai | Feb 2, 2006 2:10:10 AM

QAS,I think your comments were excellent,and it's obvious that you are close to God.Unfortunately,many of your brethren seem to be intent on defending the honor of the prophet at all costs,rather than forgiving and forgetting.

Posted by: Dan | Feb 2, 2006 3:22:15 AM

http://caricature.8m.com
http://caricature.8m.com
http://caricature.8m.com
http://caricature.8m.com
http://caricature.8m.com
http://caricature.8m.com

Posted by: Roz | Feb 2, 2006 4:05:43 AM

well done and congratulations Vebjoern Selbekk.

you and your paper are heros of free speech. thank you so much for making a stand. it's a sad thing that muslims will now boycott danish products. i suppose it means they will eat less bacon.

peter

Posted by: peter jones | Feb 2, 2006 5:08:43 AM

Why do muslims impose on others how they should be thinking? The media is free to express whatever opinion. Caricatures will not make mohammed less of a prophet, it's his teachings that will and are doing the damage. Muslims...look deeply into the quran and islamic teachings, critisize them before critisizing a newspaper for how it perceived mohammed.

Posted by: Farid | Feb 2, 2006 5:46:55 AM

Thanks for the caricatures Roz, first time to see them...they're nice :)

Posted by: Farid | Feb 2, 2006 5:52:39 AM

Based on comments saying that the media is free and that freedom of speech should be granted, well i don't think if you refer to the media ethics and responsibilities you'll find freedom of producing any kind of work that is considered libelous.

According to a comment said by peter, Islam spread throughout northern africa through means of violence and that is an argument based on no evidence, if you read the Arabian accounts even written by westerners you'll find out that Islam never forced anyone to beleive in it. People always had the freedom of choice, if you want to convert to Islam or not that's your choice and that's your life, nothing was ever by force.

Third of all which is my main argument here, you cannot disrespect religion just because you want to feel free to say what you wanna say. You cannot disrespect the figure (Prophet Mohamed PBUH) who lead millions and millions of people to the write direction. You probably heard my words a thousand time but certain actions breeds hatred. Why would you still not beleive that Islam is not Violence when you get thousands of people saying that it isn't violence. Last but not least "Islam" comes from the word "Salam"

May Peace be Upon you All

Posted by: Muslim | Feb 2, 2006 6:37:02 AM

wanna know my personal opinion ? both the danes and the muslims are stupid. Danes are dumb to show something they have absolutely no personal gain from, knowing very well that it will upset hundreads of millions of people from accross the globe. and the muslims are stupid to issue bomb threats and die crying and boycotting when its all about sketches in an unknown danish newspaper. both of you ignorant sides, get a life and lets get going. !!!

Posted by: Muslim2 | Feb 2, 2006 8:21:59 AM

Hmmmmmm.....what a show for a few drawings,think what has few drawings make happen.Well sometimes shit happens ;)

Posted by: someone from finland | Feb 2, 2006 8:24:16 AM

I as a muslim and have wrote comments here before. I just wanna ask one question. How can people be so cheap to write comments using the 'F' word ???

Its probably because they werent brought up well or probably they are not even educated! I sympathy each one of you who swears and uses bad language.Honestly i think you need treatment!!

Posted by: Noor | Feb 2, 2006 11:02:14 AM

I am from India and i believe that Islam is the biggest fraud played on people for the last 1400 years. Personally,they have their right to follow their cult in peace since people in the cult can come into it and are condemned to be killed if they want to change their faith as happens in islam. The problem arises if they disrespect my faith by terming it evil.I want to state that muslims do not have a monopoly on god. The self grandeur of being god's ONLY TRUE followers is insulting to people of other faith upfront. If God did not wanted diversity and multiple faith, he would have made a world of his choice and not like this. A tsunami in multireligious country like India is termed "WRATH OF TRUE ALLAH" but a similair catastrophe albietly "earthquake" in Muslim Pakistan is a sign that people of Pakistan has to follow Islam more religiously and fervountly plucking the western pollution from the mind of the people of Allah. WHAT A DOUBLE STANDARD !!! We can say My god brought the earthquake to kill the muslims but is that the solution, i think it is not. THE DAY MUSLIMS ACCEPT THAT OTHER RELIGIONS FOLLOW THE PATH TO GOD BUT FROM DIFFERENT PATHS, IT WILL BE END OF ISLAM VERSUS THE REST. I cannot follow my religion in a tolerant manner in the middle east, is that a message of peace and tolerance from koran. Please give me slavery. Thank you. SAT SRI AKAL

Posted by: Prabhjyot Singh Madan | Feb 2, 2006 11:05:12 AM

By the way I would like to add one more thing.I am a Kuwaitie female..Proud to be a Kuwaitie and a muslim too. I have never ever disrespected any religeon what so ever.
How could people think that woman dont have any rights in the Islam world?? Did any one of you read about womans rights. Or is it just because she cant date or have sex before her marriage.
A woman is very respected in our community.She is only touched by her husband.She is not trash to be used by anyone!!!!!!
I am married and have a loving husband and children.Here in my country we have freedom.I feel sorry for anyone who has doubts about that!

Posted by: Noor | Feb 2, 2006 11:09:27 AM

I am A Muslim man In Somalia I Want To Tell The Magazine Who Published Those Caricatures On Our Prophet Mohamed PBUH The Following Words:
Our Prophet Mohammed Wos A Peace Man And Teached Us Every thing That Is Good For The World.
No One Can Teach What He Reached Us From Our God.
all Muslims Are angry What You Published and we Know What You Want to Do,all Muslims Are In One Hand.
Don't Try Again To do some Thing Like What You Published.
muslims Will Won On the Cristians and Their Allience.
If We Are Muslims We will MAke A jihad For all cristians and Their allience.
All Of You(cristians and their allience) we Told You More Times Jihad B/w You And Us (muslims).
Muslims Are in one Hand.
Prophet Mohammed Is the Last massenger.

Posted by: mohamad gaani | Feb 2, 2006 11:25:47 AM

howthewestwaswon: You are obvious very liberal in your views. The current debate is a long time coming and is a standard battle of ideas. The major difference being western -vs- muslim values, which is highlighted by our differences in freedom of expression.

I recommned reading the book "Virus of the Minds" and you'll see how past human conflicts are always based on differences in cultural values and the desire for each one to win.

The issues concerning the cartoons (in the whole scheme)are very minor in my mind, but I'm not muslim. If a muslim newspaper posted a similar caricature of Jesus, I'd brush it off as a bunch of idiots. But as Dan has mentioned, the muslim community(especially the ME & N Africa) place a high value on public respect. That is their mind virus which they teach one another and is part of their societal fabric. The west places much less importance on this.

The cartoons highlight a much larger issue. Freedom of thought, speech & action. These freedoms have profound effects on the overall development societies & countries. If you take a moment to compare our two societies (west -vs- muslim) and compare each of their contributions to the world in the past 200 years, there is no comparison. Freedom of speech, thought and action....though sometime distasteful, leads to creativity, new ideas, progress and a higher quality of living. If you visit any muslim country, you'll see they gladly take advantage in these improvements.

Interesting question is: Could muslim societies, as they currently function (limited freedom of expression), create the same improvements?

Muslim communities appear to love us while they also hate us. I predict this debate will continue until the muslim communities mellow their tone and garner more freedoms. Democracies in their countries would go a long way to helping this process.

Posted by: peter | Feb 2, 2006 11:35:41 AM

Peter, is it you who keeps posting these stupid posts again and again ?
quote -
"If you take a moment to compare our two societies (west -vs- muslim) and compare each of their contributions to the world in the past 200 years, there is no comparison. Freedom of speech, thought and action....though sometime distasteful, leads to creativity, new ideas, progress and a higher quality of living. If you visit any muslim country, you'll see they gladly take advantage in these improvements."
this surely shows how educated you are about history, and the arab and muslim world. dude, open your books, look at the many contributions that the muslim world provided in the fields of science, math, astronomy, and yes, even women rights.. 800 years ago you and your fellow europeans were living in mud in the dark ages. it is the arabs that brought knowledge, science and lightened you with it. all of your math knowledge starting algebra started in the middle east baby.
i don't say the west did not contribute to the world, but i won't say they contributed in the last 2000 years. oh no pal

Get educated, stop posting if you don't know what's your history built on. what you see in the islamic world has only occured in the past 300 years or so, all of that terorrism BS we read today started only in the last 10 years or so.

Posted by: muslim2 | Feb 2, 2006 12:47:14 PM

hey i'm riham from egypt and i'm so proud that i'm moslem and i thank god everyday 'cos i'm muslim i feel so astonished when i heard about this newspaper caricatures but i had a question in my head what shall they do if we did the exact same thing on buddah 4 example 'cos we cant do that to any prophet 'cos islam teaches us to respect all prophets i wish i could have an answer for this but i had a message and it's from me a muslem egyptian girl to all the people around the world who 's trying to himulate us: we dont hate anyone and we r nt violent 'cos we believe in god ,u have to respect our religion and our prophet 'cos if u dont , that means that u r trying to mentally invade us and u may think that this will make muslims go apart or be weakened but no we r growing stronger each day and each minute of hatered u gave us , one last thing we had other unviolent and very respected ways to fight back and protect our religions and no god but god and muhammed is the messenger of god (la ellah ela allah mohammad rassoul allah)

Posted by: riham abd el razek | Feb 2, 2006 1:57:30 PM

They feel offended yet in the middle east they're coutless anti-setic,anti-werstern cartoons in thier newspaper. Hypocrites

Posted by: nobody | Feb 2, 2006 2:21:46 PM

remember what the talaban did to those beatiful statues of buddah. pff

Posted by: siddharta | Feb 2, 2006 2:42:28 PM

So whats wrong with that? Mohamaed if he ever existed as some belivers think, did present him selves in the shape of human any way.Telling the truth or what you belive as the truth is not only a manifesto for freedom of speach but a duty in front of humanity for every single human beeng.
The belivers of good don not want to be "ofended" and in terms of human freedom do want to be respected on what they belive and how they express their belives but when it comes in terms of aplying the same standart for the rest of humanity they prohibit as- we do not have the right to expsres what we think!!!!!!!!I congratulate the jurnalist for their inisiative.thnx

Posted by: mehmetaj | Feb 2, 2006 2:44:04 PM

muslim2: I never said that the muslim countries didn't contribute to society in the past. I'm particular impressed by your contribution to mathematic and the sciences.

But that is the problem, you folks continue to want to live it past....in your glory years...instead of joining to modern world.

I think we can agree the last 100-200 out of the past 4000 years have had the greatest amount of change and improvement in human life. Look at all the free nations that have developed, advancements in food production, transportation, medicine, communications, philosophy and science. All are outcome of a free systems that allow differing ideas without the threat of violence or death.

As I mentioned, free systems can sometimes contain bad or distasteful ideas but they work....better than any other. You should really follow the example SE Asian ( look at what they have acheived in the past 30 - 50 years) and acknowledge their focus on education along with having freer and more open societies benefits everyone.

From my perspective, muslim countries haven't learned this yet.

Posted by: peter | Feb 2, 2006 2:47:32 PM

Why this uproar on some innocent drwaings?
Many muslims write that they respect other religions and that islam is a peaceful religion.Really? Why then is it so much violence in these countries? Where is the respect for other religions? Why did they bast away the 3000 pyear old mountaincarvings of Budda in Afghanistan? Why can't you bring a Bible with you to any of these countries? Have you ever seen all the dirty cartoons muslims makes of the jewish God? If you say Jesus is a greater profet than Muhammed they are ready to kill you. At the same instace they say Jesus is a prophet. Why do muslims kill their own children if the marry a nonmulsim? Or even worse, why do father, mothers and brithers kill their own family for converting to tor instance Christianity? An why do they kill each other for not being part of the same religios group? Like Sunnis and Shiits? It's all a matter of INTOLERANCE!

Posted by: Sonson | Feb 2, 2006 2:57:23 PM

Sonson- were on earth did u get all this information?????

Why do muslims kill their own children if the marry a nonmulsim? Or even worse, why do father, mothers and brithers kill their own family for converting to tor instance Christianity? An why do they kill each other for not being part of the same religios group? Like Sunnis and Shiits? It's all a matter of INTOLERANCE!

This is what I mean by UNEDUCATED!!!!

Posted by: noor | Feb 2, 2006 3:51:27 PM

Where did I get this information?
First of all, I have had it happened to friends, and they bragged about it openly.
You may have followed the case from Sweden about the young girl wanting to marry a swedish boy. Her father killed her. Same thing in Pakistan. A young girl married the wrong gay (also pakistani) her father had a famliy member her killed (still pending Pakistani courts)...and it goes on.
It's ok for a male muslim to marry a "infidel" girl, but not for a muslim girl to marry an "infidel" man is not possible.
My nextdoor pakisatni friend, had no problem defending these practisis. And when I lived in the near east, and for that matter far east, this was discussed openly, without any hesitation.
The US is doing a bad mistake invading Iraq, but what's going on simultaniously there, is a war between Sunnis and Shiits.
All i can tell you, I have lived for a long time, and have had a lot of relations with muslims.
I wish i was ignorant, but unfortuneatly I don't think so..

Posted by: sonon | Feb 2, 2006 4:35:09 PM

Peep this,

Ideology is an accumulation of solutions or suggestions based on experiences, for an ideology to be accurate and righteous it must be based on inherit experiences of the beheld. Therefore, the only ideology that is correct is the one of the beholder, which by definition will not suit anyone else to its fullest.

If we as people an understand this and respect this we will understand each other and replace conflict with tolerance.

In my experience of many cases, religion can be a power struggle, for land, control and ideas.

I believe that GOD is not about power, land or control but about love and finding the beauty in life.

Posted by: universal soldier | Feb 2, 2006 4:43:31 PM

Religious turmoil over a small drawing, or was it more?

Why is it that people get so worked up for a small thing like this? When you think about it: The Jews invented Jhave, the Christinas and Moslems copied it, and then they fought about it for hundred of years, who has the "right God"?
All of them say their God is a tolerant God. They talk highly of love.But all of them, at least Christians and Moslems has lots of blood on hand when it comes to tolerance.
If they are so tolerant, why not respect each and everyone who find their way to God?
After all, if God is just a human invention, what good does all the killings in "his name" do?
When can extremist religious people ever learn? Do we need more religious wars? When some of the immams in europe went to he moslem countries they brought with them, not only the drawings from the danish newspapers, but worse drawings to upset the Muslim leaders. Why?
Let each live with his God as he find fit.If anyone wants religios laws, like sharia laws, let them have it, but only for those who believe in that law (or any other religious law). Don't impose it on everybody, and don't impose "your God" on everybody.(wether it's Christian, Mulsim or others). Let each find their own God,if they want, and respect that. Then you will receive respect.

Posted by: sonson | Feb 2, 2006 5:30:30 PM

some innocent drawingsssssssssssssssss? what will be ur reaction if those carecatures was on jesus or whoever ur prophet is ? peter just be fair and respect our prophet 'cos he respected the non muslims and told us to respect them in return ,so dont make the sitiuation worse than this

Posted by: riham abd el razek | Feb 2, 2006 5:42:07 PM

if u r liberal people who believe in freedom u wont ever interfere in our believes and our religion with ur arogant and ironic stupid meanless comments.

Posted by: riham abd el razek | Feb 2, 2006 5:52:27 PM

I am a proud Muslim and flabbergasted that the Western mind is not impressed when I quote mind-control catchphrases to prove how pious I am and how correct my one-true religion is. And why would you not believe me when I claim the peacefulness of my one-true religion, just because nearly every armed conflict in the world today has Islam as its root? Maybe if I infer that you will be requited with violence and terrorist attacks, perhaps then you will believe we are truly peaceful. Maybe a few more kidnappings and beheadings of defenseless civillians will convince you all, or maybe it will take some more random suicide bombings to do the trick...

Posted by: al akbar | Feb 2, 2006 6:00:53 PM

a message to mouslims and christians and all religions....
before i talk ..peace be upon uu ..if allah will ..
o pon himlive with him ....if some one have some misunderstanding about some topic ..he must read about not .not to make jugement on it..and be radical person just insist on his mind..and block his ears..from hearing any other openions........
the fist is for CHRISTIANS...
if u want to read quraan ..read it in arabic...and u must know the rule and grammer well to have good information ...and ask alot.....no doubt that the quraan is allah's talking .......theres noo falt ...noo one can bring like it.....
but the bible.....for ur knowlege...i dont say it to call u to emperassed islam ...cos my relegion is soo holly the people come to it not islam come to them ...
sooo liste to this plzz.......

in magazine''''awake..'''in 8 of ceptember ..1957..theres a title...sayed..'''50,000errors in bible....and i will say one little text of it..''''recently. a younge man purchased a king james version bible thinking it was without error. one day when he glancing through a bck issue of ''look'' magazine he came across an article entitled '' the truth about bible'' which said that .'' as carly as i720,an english authority estimated that there were at least 20,000 errors in the two editions of the new testament commonly read by prtestants and catholics. modern students say there are probably 50,000 errors ''' the young man was shocked.his faith in the bible's authenticiry was shaken.''how can the bible be realiable when it contains thousends of serious discrepancies in inaccuracies?'' he asks...''''
and now....if u want to know the reality...read it..read quraan or bible...
the jesus is the GOD..or ot...
in bible jesus come from dawood ibn ibraheem....and the vergin mariem was a pregnant in him ....ooh the vergin was pregnant in the GOD..? ..and she born him ...and he take the milk from her....and he have acountry in beyt lahem in palestine....during the peiod or herodus..the king......and u say that he is the son of jousef...and he can sit on the donkey ..or its female.and he drink win..and eat ..and he have shoese.....and shirt ..and he worshipping..'''''and he have brothers and cousins..
..oooooooohh all these thing is afeature of the GOD.. soo what the different between the god and human ...
u have astrange imagination about the GOD...
and there one christian he is verry rlegiouse..he said that the jesus..allah bless him is the GOD cos he share the god'd nature..ans he have nature like the god...but how....?,,if i ask any cristian now ..how allah is 3 as u say ...no one can reply me convey me..i want be persuated..
in quraan we believe that allah is one.no god but allah .....
if theres anmother god.soo whome i will worship ..if theres more than one god.soo the world wil be damage...each of them will do what he want ..and whome i can worship...

theres another thing specially for the white men ....the human brain or mind can never avoide that the son of niger must be niger .and also chinese or indian ..soo thats mean the SON OF GOD must be like him ...milliars of beatifull copying of jesus given to the people and the jesus..seems to be like the european ..blond hair and blue eyes and beatiful features..do u remember ..''' jefery henter.'' he iis the servaivour...and he seems to be german with his long nose.....
well..if jesus..allah bless him i mean if the son was whit man then afcourse the father(god) must be whit man from that ...ofr these christian people who have dark skin they have afeeling of they r less than the white people..and that feeling without any intention in their deep inside..and any quantity of makeup or any operation never sweep that feeling...
but allah the god .is not white or dar he is beyond the human thoughts and mind...if u break the restructure of the white man who feel verry pride..as agod...then u break the feeling of less than others....but the restructure on mind is hardly broken ..the slave him self fight and struggle to make it still..

in bible ...they speak about the prohpet of the last dayes....they say that he is jesus....but let we see...
open the bible on ''safer tathneya..18:18 aspeech about the condition of the last prophet ....the god make that prophet among their brothers like u ..'' mousas..'' and i make my talking in his mouth he talk with themby all what i recommend ..and the human who dont lieten to my talking who he talk by my name ..i will ask that human ..''' .soo thats mean the last prophet must me like mousas..and the chrisian say he is jesus...but how...
well mousas is jew and jesus also ..the two r prophets.....but they say that jesus is a god..but mousas r not and jesus died sacrificing for human fault...in the world..but mousas didnt do that ..
the jesus will go to the hell 3 times to rescue the prophets .'''the bible og newkedimouse.'' but mousas didnt do it soo jesus not like mousas...
mousas have parents father and mother.....mouhamed have parents also ..but jesus have one mother ant not muman father as they say
mousas was born naturaly but jesus born in miracles.....mousas and mouhamed get married ..but jesus still without wife..soo how jesus be like mousas as they think the bible told them ............alot of thing..i have alot about bible........

plzzz christians ...think again .....alot.....

Posted by: reda samy saad | Feb 2, 2006 6:03:42 PM

Somebody have a link to the cartoons. I can wait to see them. Muslims still leave in the medieval time . I hope my idol Ali G make a move about Mohamed

Posted by: cristian ristos | Feb 2, 2006 6:20:10 PM

Somebody have a link to the cartoons. I can wait to see them. Muslims still leave in the medieval time . I hope my idol Ali G makes a movie about Mohamed

Posted by: cristian ristos | Feb 2, 2006 6:23:26 PM

The cartoons were just that cartoons. Get over it! If they offend you, don't look at them or discuss them. If you think they are funny then enjoy them, but don't assume all members of the muslim faith appreciate them. That is their right.
All of the worlds religions are different, because we as human beings have all experienced different paths. We speak different languages, have vaired histories. No one religion is the "correct" religion. Believing in an ultimate being or God is not the only way to live. All of us have the right to worship, or not worship, in whatever manner or way we want as long as it does not harm anyone else.
If you disagree with the messages of the cartoon, so be it. But some of the cartoons are very well drawn, at least appreciate the talent of the artist.
Bottom line - get over them.

Posted by: Caitlin | Feb 2, 2006 6:25:23 PM

Here is the link to the cartoons .Enjoy
http://www.di2.nu/files/Muhammed_Cartoons_Jyllands_Posten.html

Posted by: ivan | Feb 2, 2006 6:33:47 PM

We were all shocked when hearing about drawing the most noble and dearest man of God our prophet MOHAMED;the man who refuses everything just for fulfulling his mission which is eguality and freedom for all human being .MOHAMED call for
tolerance of religions and betwenn people and peace nondiscrimination between black and white;between muslim and christian;between rich and poor .Because all these people are ceature of God and are equals. God create many religions and send many prophets to save his creatures from obscurity and misdeeds.One of theses prophets is Moses the prophets of jewish with his miracles ,and Christ for the christians and MOHAMED ;the ULTIMATE prophet is sent to muslims and rest of humanity to clarify the right path of life.Our religion ,Islam, teaches us how to respect others religions and prophets and put them in a saint place and cosider them the saveres of humanity.You Western people you behave with a sense of ignorance and lack of wide spreading knowledge of other's religion and culture because of your poisonous devoloppement that make you ristricted behaving like machines because you have nothing in your mind but just telling things about prophets and saint people and you call it LIBERTY OF EXPRESSION!!!!!! .What about the Iranian president Ahmed Najad who talks of jewish holocuste in Germany evrey body responds IS THIS NOT A LIBERTY OF EXPRESSION?????????.

Thank you

Posted by: Mohamed Damiri | Feb 2, 2006 6:46:20 PM

All what I can say is that I am so sorry for the late reaction of the world before Islam. Muslim world are dictators and they want the whole world to be like them. They all hate United States and the western world but give them an America or western Passport and see if they reject it!!!!

Posted by: Mohassin | Feb 2, 2006 6:55:57 PM

Intresting...Muslims wouldn't think twice about expressing their thought about jews any time they wish, with their anti-semitic remarks, and saying the jewish state should be wiped off the face of the earth. Talk about double standards.
you dont see the jews going crazy shooting in the air, threatning and vandalizing. Does the koran teach basic civilization?
It is true that when one hears the name mohamed terror happens to be the first thing he recalls, not because of his knoledge about the prophet, just because of this common muslim name wich happens to be metioned while reporting terrorist activities. I think those people should denounce the name 'mohamed' simply cause they are staining this holy man with their barbaric acts.
im shure the Koran preaches peace, but i dont think the muslims understand the language of the koran just because they dont seem to show its true colours to the world.
I find it sad and mostly iresponsible that muslim hide behind their faith to aprove such behaviour, such distruction, and mainly such complete and total ignorance.
and a few more words to the muslims around the world. represent the koran with dignity and it shall be respected. represent yourself and choose representatives knowing they will honour the muslim religeon and bring pride to its people.
I can't help but to believe muslims like their position in the world, feeling pride when people fear them and feeling empowered with it.
I think that there is more to islam than covering woman from head to tow, bringing 11 children to the world and then taking pride in them exploding themselves so they can get to heaven and enjoy 72 virgins,but i have yet to see the rest , the true esense of islam. I hope that day will arive soon.

Posted by: Diana | Feb 2, 2006 6:57:36 PM

Hey Mohamed Damiri, when I watch TV see armed men willing to kill any civilian just because a diferent expresions culture (calicatures). Do you really think that your man was "the most noble and dearest man of God;the man who refuses everything just for fulfulling his mission which is eguality and freedom for all human being .MOHAMED call for
tolerance of religions and betwenn people and peace nondiscrimination between black and white;between muslim and christian;between rich and poor, bla, bla, bla????" Sorry, muslim acts speack to loud for me to see what you are tryng to share and convence.

Posted by: Mohassin | Feb 2, 2006 7:09:13 PM

Caitlin:
I think you are correct in what you say. I hear everyone....christians, jew & muslims saying they have the one true religion...I just wonder how many religions did these people learn before choosing theirs final one. Probably none.

It gets so ridiculous that I even know christian who fight among themselves saying theirs is the one true interpretation of the bible while the other christian are wrong. For christ sake, they are reading the same bible and they can't agree. How do you expect muslim, christians and jew to resolve their difference.

Interesting thing about religion, people try to institutionalize doctrine....but the final interpretation if left to the individual. And depending on their state of mind, they will use it for good or bad. We can find thousands of examples of this throughout the ages in every religion.

It comes down to the individual...and the culture that they are raised in. If they are violent, bitter and agressive, they will use religion for this means.

So I truly believe the muslims on this board who say Islam is a religion of peace....and for them it is. However, from a western perspective, there appears to be a disproportionate number of followers, who through their need for respect or their strange interpretation of the Koran, want to dismember people in order to feel right.

These people need to be kept in check...and I think it would behoove peaceful muslim to forcefully oppose the radical elements in your religion, so you down get lumped in with.

If there were no muslim acting as a "poor man's cruise missle" and blowing themselve us, the cartoons you so vehemently oppose would never been created in the first place.

Posted by: peter | Feb 2, 2006 7:13:43 PM

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13509-2021464,00.html

What an education they receive in those Saudi-financed madrassas. I think they learn the Koran. Um, then there's, maybe a Jihad class before lunch. Then Koran. Then get preached to by a radical imam about how the West is responsible for all of their problems. Then a field trip: today, it's cute little parade, topped off by burning the prime minister of Denmark in effigy. What fun it must be to be a kid in Pakistan!

Oooh, and then some resourceful young lads in Nablus today kidnapped a German citizen whilst he was dining with a couple of Palestinian friends in his hotel coffee shop.

"Earlier, al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an armed faction in President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah movement, threatened in a news conference to kidnap citizens of France, Denmark and Norway if they did not leave Nablus within 72 hours."

Listen up, you Islamic fascists... We are not your dhimmis (subjects). Will will not submit to your sharia (Islamic law). Your days are numbered. But not because the West will come at you with bombs and guns, but because truth and liberty will not cower to your threats. The truth that your false prophet was a violent, power-mad rapist can not remain hidden behind your veils of false innocence and contrived victimhood. We have been taught to judge a teacher by his fruits.

And, by the way, the word "Islam" does not mean "peace;" it means "submission." Duh...look it up.

Posted by: al | Feb 2, 2006 8:01:59 PM

To the poster "Muslim" you should know that Islam actually means "submission", which is apparent by the way that Muslims seem to never question or critize their own faith at all. There is absolutley no gain or new understanding of God in the Muslim world becasue you do not have enough faith to grow from your own mistakes.

To "Muslim2", It is a mistake to say that "Islamic culture" was a center of learning, creativity, and intellectualism, it was the "arab" culture which were the champions of such ideas and who strove for greatness. Not long after Islam sprung up in the region, any semblance of knowlegde, education, math or science disappeared as Islam controlled basically every fascet of Arab life, allowing no time for the pursuit of indivial achievements. The arab culture could be one of the most amazing and intelletual cultures in the world if it was not for Islam.

Posted by: kor | Feb 2, 2006 8:48:23 PM

GOOD LORD, to Mohamed Dimiri, who said
"What about the Iranian president Ahmed Najad who talks of jewish holocuste in Germany evrey body responds IS THIS NOT A LIBERTY OF EXPRESSION?????????."

Do you even realize what you are saying. This man is denying a fact that happened to the knowledge of any person who has even heard of the Holocaust. He is denying that millions upon millions of poeple were killed just for his own politic