The Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) has entered Denmark’s election campaign. Yesterday it took issue with an election add from the Danish People’s party that features a 400 years old drawing of the Muslim prophet Mohammed and a text reading ”The right to free speech is a Danish value – censorship isn’t”.
Don’t forget, the OIC was the driving force behind the cartoon riots in the Muslim world back in January and February 2006, and in the UN it has for years been conducting a campaign against enlightenment values such as the right to free speech, including the right to challenge and ridicule religious dogma, and freedom of religion, including the right to say no to religion. In January 2006 the OIC called for sanctions against Denmark.
The OIC denounced the add as islamophobic, and subsequently concluded in a statement by its Jeddah office:
”The Muslim world while taking note of this unprovoked propensity of some Danish circles to demonize Islam, its figures and symbols remains vigilant and watchful to this trend which might, again, lead to increased tension.”
Pia Kjaersgaard, leader of Danish People’s party, repudiates the accusations.
”This is pure nonsense. The add features a 400 years old drawing of Mohammed, and as we knew during the cartoon crisis with the 12 cartoons of Mohammed published by Jyllands-Posten, Mohammed has been portrayed again and again, and this is just another drawing,” she said.
”We want to do as we please in Denmark. We didn’t do it to provoke, but due to the fact that a drawing – a 400 years old drawing of Mohammed – is a symbol of free speech in Denmark because we defended our right to free speech.”
A couple of comments:
1. I don’t think free speech is a Danish value. It’s a universal value embedded in the UN Declaration of Human Rights with its history in Denmark.
2. Islamophobia is an intimidating and intellecually dishonest term because it wants to establish a false parallel to concepts such as racism and anti-semitism. Criticising or ridiculing an idelogy has nothing to do with attacking human beings. I am very critical of Communism, but I am married to to Russian woman who used to be a loyal citizen of the Soviet Union, and my father-in-law is still a believer in Communism, but that doesn’t mean that I dislike him. On the contrary, I love him very much.
As Denis Prager has put it:
”The term is not ”Muslim-phobia” or ”anti-Muslimist”, it is Islam-ophobia – fear of Islam – yet fear of Islam is in no way the same as hatred of all Muslims. One can rightly or wrongly fear Islam, or more usually, aspects of Islam, and have absolutely no bias against all Muslims, let alone be a racist.
The equation of Islamophobia with racism is particularly dishonest. Muslims come in every racial group, and Islam has nothing to do with race (…) If fear of an ideology rendered one racist, all those who fear conservatism or liberalism should be considered racist.”
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5 Comments
1. Zonka:With all due respect, I believe that you’re wrong on two counts…
1. Free speech is a Danish value, even though it is not “invented” in Denmark, or restricted to Denmark, but because it is a value that Danes in general share, and treasure.
2. Free speech is not universal, although it would be wonderful if it was, but there are many places where free speech is outlawed, and others where it it is severely limited or under constant attack.
I know you know this better than most, but just wanted to clarify things.
Oct 30, 2007 - 7:19 am 2. Superman:I believe Zonka is right.
Fleming Rose; most westernes wishes to believe that freedom of speech is a universal right.
The fact however is that only in the west and a few other places is freedom of speech a basic right.
And again; when Danish People Party calls it a danish value, they don’t mean that it is invented in DK, or that it’s something especially dansih - all they are saying is that it is a value that are shared among the danes, and by most taken for granted.
By the way; is there no end to the hypocrasy from OIC - why dont they concentrate on tolerance and freedom of religion in their own countries ?
Oct 30, 2007 - 3:54 pm 3. Gary Ogletree:I think we would be wise to be more specific in our language. Take Islamofacism. It, like Islamophobia, sounds like an insult. Better to name the problem our front: We oppose jihad and sharia. That’s a step toward education about Islam. “I plead guilty to being an Islamophobe because I oppose jihad and sharia. Don’t you?”
Nov 1, 2007 - 7:03 pm 4. LSD:The western view is that this sort of freedom is innately human and that it unfortunately, is not recognized in all places. I think it is worthwhile to make the distinction.
It seems that the OIC feels that this sort of freedom should be quashed, worldwide, when it offends their sensiblities. In truth, their true ambition is to leverage their own voice and the voices of those they can persuade into political power. Were the OIC actually concerned about islamophobia they would do better to refrain from threatening reactions to offense. -That might actually help their stated cause.
Nov 1, 2007 - 8:37 pm 5. Roy Hammond:Lets start off with what Islamic fundamentalists dislike…freedom of expression….freedom of discussion and freedom to choose your form of government. By participating in this fundamental episode…they are inviting trouble amongst themselves. If I were a Dane…I’d really like for them to participate. I’d like to open up a forum twice a week where they can come out of their holes and actually discuss freedoms.
To put them off-balance…I want some strong Danish folks with a sense of humor and as mild-mannered as possible. Sarcasism…in a forum like this…with wit and charm…will disable your opponent. The Islamic crowd will start to grasp that their Mullah chant…doesn’t ring true like he says it does. I want them to feel a slight spark of acceptance…that they aren’t fighting mighty Danish warriors but some intelligent folks with wit.
I’d make sure this is covered live. I’d make sure that a sense of history exist…where Denmark came from and how it survived. Danes don’t cast themselves in a shadow of pity. Danes don’t allow some religious figure in society to cast their vote for them. Danes built Denmark with a vision…lay it out…explain to the Muslim gentlemen (note I didn’t say Islamic women because I doubt if many will be allowed out of the house to attend such a forum).
Bottom line: get them into the election process and watch how they integrate. They will question themselves and their religious cause as each week goes by.
Nov 4, 2007 - 8:00 pm