Saudi lawyer demands cartoon apology

But the Danish media have no plans to apologise for reprinting the controversial Mohammed cartoons

A letter from a Saudi Arabian lawyer demanding an apology for the reprinting of the Mohammed cartoons has been dismissed by Danish media as an attempt to ‘fan the flames’.

Faisal A.Z. Yamani contacted the Danish newspapers that reprinted Kurt Westergaard’s cartoon depicting the Prophet Mohammed with a bomb in his turban, requesting that a front page apology be printed as well as removing the images from news websites.

The lawyer claimed to have been contacted by ‘several thousand descendants of the Prophet’ all of whom felt insulted and defamed by the reprinting of the cartoons.

The letter requested that the apology be printed in Danish, English, French and Arabic by the end of September, or further legal action would be taken.

But all Danish media have ruled out printing any sort of apology.

Jørn Mikkelsen, editor of Jyllands Posten newspaper, which originally published the cartoons in 2005, said the letter was just the latest in a long line of threats and comments from Islamic countries.

‘Our answer is the same now as before and we have absolutely no reason to apologise. The prophet drawings are covered by Danish law and tradition and represented a journalistic project that started a debate on the freedom of speech,’ said Mikkelsen.

Features editor at Politiken newspaper Anders Jerichow said the lawyer appeared to be trying to stir up tensions.

‘Just let him. The majority of the Muslim world is taking it easy and so can we,’ said Jerichow.

Five Danish daily newspapers and many smaller papers reprinted the cartoons in February 2008 after it emerged that police had foiled a plot on the life of Westergaard.

Comments

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mhusary - Good Luck trying.

|2009-08-31 17:10:02

I don't think this lawyer will ever get any apology or any positive feedback at all.

What happened, happened for reasons that go deeper in its roots than many people think.

safwh - just curious

|2009-08-31 17:40:23

Mhusary

I am keen to know what were those reasons and how deep is their roots. If you can please enlighten me.

npandjmclay - This just proves the point

|2009-08-31 18:33:43

I mean, it proves that any representative of Islamic ideology must ignore the patent truth that Denmark is not subject to muslim ideas or subordinate to sharia law. The more they object, the clearer the picture. They just don't recognise wood as trees.

PC - They should apologize ...

|2009-08-31 18:38:24

... after the other side apologizes for the burned flags, their own cartoons about european politics, all their articles and publications inciting hate for the western world, all their religious fanatism spreading messages of hate agaisnt the western world , and so on and on and on ...

magic1964

|2009-08-31 19:54:48

Why the muslim who declare being extremely insulted, deeply offended or humiliated never leave terrible Denmark or ask asylum to a more friendly country ???????

I have to be ironic no....so easy...

wpmhia

|2009-08-31 19:54:56

Why should one apologize for press freedom? How many people in Saudi Arabia read the Jylland Post? Denmark has nothing to do with the Arab world.

wor - Another view, and approach

|2009-08-31 21:20:35

I couldn't resist adding my two pence worth (assuming my thoughts are worth that much)

I think its unrealistic to expect an appology: There have been so many bad things done my some many countries, and WE all know no-one will concede an appology first.

This reminds me of:
"People who live in glass houses should not throw stones" - I guess this applies to every country ;-)

The best one can do, I think, is to not to get mad, but get smart, and "educate" by pointing out inconsistencies and the fact that certain groups "seem" to be getting more negative press than others, and then ask "WHY"...i.e. expose their tactics in an "open" and critical-minded way.

For instance, you know that if anything derogatory had been said about any other minority group...the you know what would hit the fan...so the newspapers do NOT dare do it.

Ask "WHY?" to get people "thinking for themselves", but don't force your verison of the "truth" down their throats. This way people
will find the "truth" for themselves if they are truly intersted in the truth.

One good thing about Denmark, is that it seems easy to find legal info on www.retsinformation.dk.

I would be interested in which specific sections of Danish law Mr Jørn Mikkelsen refers to.

I refer you to Straffeloven § 266 b, relating to scornful degradation based on race, skin clour, ethnic origin, faith, or sexual orientation.
(https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=121398)

Do the "Mohammed cartoons" breach Straffeloven § 266 b?

I'm not a lawyer, maybe there is lawyer outhere who could answer with an explanation to the readers of CPHPOST regarding "Straffeloven § 266 b and the Mohammed cartoons".

There, you now have the headline for a very good article. Who is up for writing an informative and critically minded article entitled "Straffeloven § 266 b and the Mohammed cartoons"?

Constantin - .

|2009-08-31 20:46:48

The funniest thing about it were the muslim "threats" about their own form of retribution: cartoons about the Holocaust.

It just goes to show, when you try to censor humor, it gets even funnier.

mhusary - another view and approach.

|2009-08-31 23:25:36

Wor,
I think your thoughts are priceless, as it describe really what is written between the lines in the cartoon crisis.

If only people can think this way, putting away any stereotype ideas or media dictations about Islam and Muslims, they will get a better understanding of why all this is happening around us.

mhusary - to Safwh

|2009-08-31 23:56:59

Dear Safwh,
What I am about to tell you is really deep and requires some analysis later on, unfortunately I can't be very explicit, because such information is not appropriate to be written in public this way. Anyway I will summarise it for you:

Every nation has it is own good and bad qualities, people have differences in the world because usually they are not keen to understand the quality of the people from the other side. Should they try to understand the quality of the other side; they will understand them and know how to deal with them in the best way.
Usually people do badly not with bad intention, but rather due to ignorance or spontaneous hasty actions that they have been seduced to do by others or by events.

Now there is a very devilish and powerful organization in our world that lives on stirring conflicts between nations and countries. Members of this organization penetrated the top important official positions around the world in most of the governments and in most of the international organisations, they have a great passion to control media either by entire ownership or by planting their members in form of writers, journalists, editors..Etc.

This organisation left its fingertips on the causes of almost every war, crises happened across history and the latest one was the financial crises. To this organisation, Islam represents the classical and eternal enemy and they are doing their best to make sure everybody around the world hates Islam and Muslims, unfortunately they succeed for the time being because they know a quality in Muslims and they are taking it to their advantage to show the world that Muslims are bad, this quality is that Muslims are sentimental, nervous and sometimes easy to be stirred. Off course am not talking about all Muslims, but the great mass of Muslims are like this.

They seduce others to do acts that stir Muslim's anger so they show a bad example of Muslims to the entire world.

Anyway this is a very long story cut short and I hope you can solve the puzzle in it

safwh - my further two cents - Dear Mhusary

|2009-09-01 12:48:58

Dear Mhusary

I agree with you on one front. That is there is a lack of awareness of each other among cultures. And, yes, I believe that some of the mistakes are committed because the decisions are made in haste and actions taken without foresight. But, the way some of these cultures behave or act to get their point across (burning cars, embassies and blowing themselves) doesn’t help our cause in any way. And, it further extinguishes the flame of desire of cultures to learn about each other. Tell me, after all what Muslims have made out of themselves and their religion, anybody will be keen to know anything about Islam.

Your details about this organization you mentioned and stuff was an interesting reading. At first, to me, it seems all crap, sort of conspiracy theory which some people come up to give a meaning to their life. But, on second thoughts and a little reflection, I feel that there is some sense in what you say. Now, if you replace the word ‘Organization’ with word ‘fanatic, power hungry, deeply self-interested male radical Muslims’, the whole thing makes fantastic sense to me. To me, the enemies of Muslims are not external, they are rather internal. Muslims themselves are their own worst enemies and are causing themselves and others a lot of damage on their way to ‘paradise’ – physically, as well as mentally, spiritually, etc etc. No doubt, the word ‘Muslim’ has acquired a negative connotation and Muslim/Islam thrashing is at its peak.

To some extent, I do see injustices being done to Muslims in some parts of the world (as it is carried by Muslims in other parts of the world – remember Darfur), but to base and centralize their whole ideology on Revenge, and Satanization and Devilisation of large part of the world and their systems (whole West, US, India, Israel etc etc) will ultimately lead Muslims into a dark abyss from where there is no return. Think about it, by proclaiming almost all scientific and philosophical education as creation of Devil has resulted in producing a generation of ignorant, worldly unaware and intellectually challenged Muslim youth. No surprise, they don’t find their feet in the modern world and live only by past glory.

I believe it is time that Muslims go through deep reflection and self-introspection, focus more on progressive thoughts rather than on revenge (An eye for an eye will make the whole world go blind – A popular saying by an Infidel) – if the Muslims ever want to redeem themselves. When the Christianity went through Dark Ages, it was the Golden Age of Islam, which, to some extent, played a catalyst to bring Europe out of Dark Age; it is time that Muslims look up to the rest of the civilized world and rescue themselves from their own Dark Age.

wilmot brown

|2009-09-01 11:45:58

2 sets all
4 games to 3
M Husary to serve
new balls please

mhusary - Safwh - lets be open and put all cards on the tabl

|2009-09-01 14:55:37

Thanks for your honest opinion, but allow me please to explain something for you, (burning cars, embassies and blowing themselves) all this is not a quality of Muslims, furthermore these same acts are done around the world by all walks of people, why are we focusing and blaming Islam for it. What about similar incidents that happens during economical forums or globalization forums or environmental forums. Do you hear any Arabic or Islamic newspaper saying, look at the Christianity bad acts or do these papers drive the incidents in a religious mockery or insulting way. No.
It is this fact that frustrate Muslims around the world (The double standard policy) and feeling monitored and focused on by microscopes while leaving others to corrupt in earth the way they like unaccountable.

Although I agree with you that bad Muslims are Islam’s worst enemy, but I think you replaced the word “organization” with the wrong word.

I disagree with you on one idea; Muslims don’t think the way you said about the west, science or philosophical education. Maybe the very few of them does, but generally Islam is all about science and knowledge, in fact the first verse of the holy Quran came down to prophet Muhammad was an order to read, learn and reflect in the cosmos.

However I think your last statement is absolutely right “it is time that Muslims look up to the rest of the civilized world and rescues themselves from their own Dark Age”, but what about the west letting them alone and getting off their back so they can have a break. I am sure with G.W.Bush trying to force democracy into their Iraqi’s throats by tanks and F16 airplanes and with NATO planes bombing houses and schools in Afghanistan and with Israeli Army chopping off Children limbs; It is difficult to achieve this don’t you agree ?

safwh - Mhusary - I am not into cards!

|2009-09-01 16:00:11

Yes, I know what you mean. Yes, ‘others’ also do it – all the violent things. But, what sets Muslims apart is that Muslims are following the same cult of violence for multitude of reasons everywhere. From East to West, from North to South. No other religion has internalized violence in their societies as Muslims have – towards others as well as towards themselves.

On Muslim education, it has been proven by statistics where they stand. So, ‘very few’ is actually a ‘large number’. Quran says one thing, but Muslims do what pleases them.

On the co-operation of West, I believe that the burden of initiative now clearly lies on Muslims. With the image they carry, it is them who have to prove worthy of co-operation and trust.

On Bush and the war - That’s where your and other’s Muslims’ thinking gets stuck. If you always see war/fighting around yourself, then it is always seeking revenge and bloodbath on your mind. The destruction of others takes precedence over the construction of your own society. Having said that, not all the West supports Bush or the war. People don’t see what lies beyond religious fervors for the reasons of these wars (and some would like to keep it that way for their own sake), instead most of us see these wars as ‘Clash of Civilizations’ which hides the true purposes (self-interest, power, politics, economy, capture of resources etc etc.) of these wars and clouds most peoples’ judgment (especially Muslims, who have been totally fooled into ‘Clash of Civilizations’ – by others and by themselves).

wor - Burden of initiative?

|2009-09-01 17:20:49

By placing the burden of initiative solely on the muslims "we" actually show our own lack of initiative, and is actually quite an arrogant stand point.

Who is it that decides when enough initiative or whatever has been shown, and on what basis?

Im sure Mandela had enough peaceful inititiative but they still stuck him in the dog house for 25 years.

To change a club, one usually has to join it and then change it from the inside. Otherwise the best one can do is offer constructive advice, wait, and sort out ones own mess while waiting for others to sort out theirs.

Great nations are built and destroyed from the inside. Think about that one. This is why one is either their own greatest ally or greatest enemy. This also applies to ALL religions, I believe.

Regarding "Islams image", I offer the following words:

Your character is what you are, and your reputation (image) is what others think you are.
Look after your character

"which hides the true purposes (self-interest, power, politics, economy, capture of resources etc etc.)"....There it is in the open for all to see and a very good point "safwh"

...by the way, I'm on "my own side" :-)

safwh - burden of initiative - heavier on one side

|2009-09-01 17:39:25

Wor

I agree. Muslims cannot carry solely the burden of initiative in redeeming themselves. But, the point stands, that Muslims have to do most of this job.

Regarding image or character - I believe that image (as you define) is or over time will become a refelection of character (as you define). Image, therefore, becomes a good gauge of one's character. So, if the image is tarnished, then what does it say about the character. I don't mind which word you use, some of us have to do a lot of homework to catch up with others.

wor - Nice reply safwh

|2009-09-01 17:43:47

I like replies that make me think deeper :-)

If image shows ones character (eventually or always), then the only way to see that character is to make sure that one is looking VERY CLEARLY.

SInce people often "follow" and do not "think" for themselves, we often end up seeing in other people what others have "told us to see".

I remember a friend of mine telling me that a friend of his says that they did not like ******* people. Then my friend told me, that this person had never met any ******* people.

(PS: The ******* are arbitary)

Thanks for the input...still on my own side :-)

safwh - thanks Wor!

|2009-09-01 18:22:59

I am with you on that one. If people start believing blindly and blaming others without verifying, investigating or exploring themselves what they listen to, then it is not difficult to see whose fault it is.

You have every right to be on your side. Having more than one side, doesn't mean that only one of them can be right.

w.ramahi - The right to feel ironic and mixed

|2009-09-02 11:48:59

Dears,

im a muslim, i have no wonder about youre questions and feeling ironic regarding what is happening and whos to blaim

i cant blaim you either for what ever you say, but there is a wisdom says "not all of youre fingers are alike", i cant guarentee that all muslims are real muslims, who behave in the way that our prophet told us to do, or even acting like him

can any guarentee to me that in christians or others?

in other hand, im not giving any execuse to any one to do bad things to others

my openion is that if we look at the bigger picture or bigger circle, you will find its political issues, the 11-sep, isreal & palestine, the bombs, lebenon problems, etc...

its long story, but what i want to say that US goverment which to use the arab world resources at its maximum (specially the Oil)

how can that be done, unless you make the arab world sink in problems between each other and US propose the helping hand for them by moving there troops there, and also by the sinking the arab world with the problem of isreal and make them wants to show US that they are not week people

its like using of anger, at the end, im not giving execuses at all to violence, but im describing what is happining in general through the past 20 years ago

wilmot brown

|2009-09-07 14:49:03

Tense game continues...
2 sets all
10 games to 9
Safwh to serve
New balls again please

but wait, is that the Spanish Inquisition? We weren't expecting him...

...ah ha, but NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition...!

...unless they still live in his era.

safwh - argh!

|2009-09-07 18:34:49

Wilmot Brown, c'mon give me a break. Thanks. Hey, maybe, somebody else wants to take a shot, someone else feeling lucky today. And, why not you, instead? Are you not tired of setting up the tables only?

But, what is this about Spainish Inquisition?

wilmot brown

|2009-09-07 21:05:25

Break point Safwh!
...
The spanish inquisition requires you read up on both history lessons and on contemporary comedy!
..
Advantage WB!

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Saudi lawyer demands cartoon apology

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