Danish apology fails to quell Muslim anger

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 3:14 pm

Danish apology fails to quell Muslim anger

By David Rennie in Brussels

(Filed: 20/02/2006)

Muslim extremists attacked churches at the weekend as the row over the cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed continued to spread despite an apology from the Danish newspaper that first published them.

At least 41 people have now died since the row ignited last month, following the intervention of political and religious leaders in the Arab world. Churches in Nigeria, Libya and Pakistan, as well as the US embassy in Indonesia, were attacked at the weekend and extremists fought running battles with police in the Pakistan capital, Islamabad.

A full-page apology in Arabic by Jyllands-Posten, the Danish paper that first commissioned works such as a caricature of the prophet with a bomb-shaped turban, was published in newspapers in Saudi Arabia.

"Allow me in the name of Jyllands-Posten to apologise for what happened and declare my strong condemnation of any step that attacks specific religions, ethnic groups and peoples.

"I hope that with this I have removed the misunderstanding," wrote Carsten Juste, the editor of Jyllands-Posten.

It was unclear why the apologies, dated Feb 5, appeared now but it is likely that the decision to publish them had to be cleared with Saudi authorities.

The newspaper's admission that "we did not realise at the time how sensitive this issue was for Muslims in Denmark or millions of Muslims around the world" seems unlikely to quell the protests in the immediate future.

The past three days of violence have left at least 27 dead in Libya and Nigeria. At the same time, Pakistani security forces yesterday sealed off Islamabad, and took hundreds of Islamic radicals into custody in three cities to quash planned protests, which were aimed as much at the Pakistani military ruler, Gen Pervez Musharraf, as at Denmark.

Police used tear gas and gunfire in a three-hour running battle with protesters trying to attend the rally in Islamabad, called by a six-party hardline Islamic coalition, Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal, or MMA. In the southern city of Sukkur, police said 400 Muslims burned a church following rumours that a Christian had burned pages from the Koran. In Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, 15,000 MMA supporters marched without serious incident.

In Turkey, tens of thousands of people marched in Istanbul, burning straw effigies of Tony Blair and President George W Bush, as well as the Danish prime minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

In Indonesia, 400 protesters tried to storm the fortified US embassy in Jakarta. They burned American flags and a poster of Mr Bush, and smashed the windows of a guard post.

On Saturday, an Italian government minister, Roberto Calderoli of the hard-Right Northern League, resigned a day after attacks on an Italian mission in Libya claimed 10 lives. The rioting began after Mr Calderoli wore a T-shirt bearing one of the Mohammed cartoons on television.

The 10 Libyans died in clashes with security forces at the Italian Consulate in the coastal city of Benghazi, which also saw attacks on a Roman Catholic church. Libya's interior minister was suspended, amid claims that police used excessive force.

The Italian prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, telephoned the Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi, later telling reporters that he wanted to avoid a "rupture with a nation which, among other things, is useful for supplying energy".

Troops patrolled the Nigerian city of Maiduguri, after at least 16 people died in rioting on Saturday, most of them Christians. Rioters also burned churches, hotels, shops and vehicles, residents said.

Ã‚© Copyright of Telegraph Group Limited 2006

Ruth · Post by **Ruth** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 3:23 pm

The religion of peace:

Muslims fly commercial airliners into buildings in New York City. No Muslim outrage.

Muslim officials block the exit where school girls are trying to escape a

burning building because their faces were exposed. No Muslim outrage.

Muslims gleefuly behead western captives on video in Iraq.

Muslims cut off the heads of three teenaged girls on their way to school

in Indonesia. A Christian school. No Muslim outrage.

Muslims murder teachers trying to teach Muslim children in Iraq. No

Muslim outrage.

Muslims murder over 80 tourists with car bombs outside cafes and hotels in

Egypt. No Muslim outrage.

A Muslim attacks a missionary children's school in India. Kills six. No

Muslim outrage.

Muslims slaughter hundreds of children and teachers in Beslan, Russia.

Muslims shoot children in the back. No Muslim outrage.

Muslims murder more than 50 commuters in attacks on London subways and

buses. Over 700 are injured. No Muslim outrage.

Muslims massacre dozens of innocents at a Passover Seder. No Muslim

outrage.

Muslims murder innocent vacationers in Bali. No Muslim outrage.

Muslim newspapers publish anti-Semitic cartoons. No Muslim outrage

Muslims are involved, on one side or the other, in almost every one of the125+ shooting wars around the world. No Muslim outrage.

Muslims beat the charred bodies of Western civilians with their shoes,

then hang them from a bridge. No Muslim outrage.

Newspapers in Denmark and Norway publish cartoons depicting Mohammed.

Muslims are outraged.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 3:36 pm

Ruth, are you trying to say that Muslims are biased?

You'd better watch out for the outrage.

Ruth · Post by **Ruth** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 3:41 pm

Not at all, OM! I think we can conclude from the above that they are capable of remarkable feats of emotional discipline.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 3:44 pm

How right you are, Ruth.:rolleyes:

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 6:01 pm

That Amim that lied to stir the trouble up should be the one apologizing. :yh_frustr

G-man · Post by **G-man** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 1:58 am

It didn't take them long to somehow blame the US, certainly... :rolleyes:

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 7:34 am

Scrat wrote: Etc ect...

Yesterday in Gaza 3 Palastinian children died in a missile attack. Seems the Israeli chopper pilots aim was off. No outrage in the west.

The occupation of Iraq has killed at least 40,000 innocent Iraqis. No outrage in the west.

Must I go on?

I think that the Muslims outrage over these pics is misplaced and frankly moronic but then it should not come as a surprise. Along with whatever else is coming.

We kind of bring these things on ourselves.That's crap. Some amim stirred this up with lies. He brought the twelve cartoons, beefed up with some really insulting ones that weren't published, to I forget which country to stir up trouble because the Danish Muslims were pissed enough for him.

I guess if I plant a tree that blocks my neighbor's view, and he reacts by burning down my house, I've brought this on myself. Step back from the edge Scrat, you're getting vertigo.

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 7:41 am

Scrat wrote: Etc ect...

Yesterday in Gaza 3 Palastinian children died in a missile attack. Seems the Israeli chopper pilots aim was off. No outrage in the west.

The occupation of Iraq has killed at least 40,000 innocent Iraqis. No outrage in the west.

Must I go on?

I think that the Muslims outrage over these pics is misplaced and frankly moronic but then it should not come as a surprise. Along with whatever else is coming.

We kind of bring these things on ourselves.
Can you for one second, imagine what the Israeli hating east would do with Israeli civilians if the west let them? Hitler was easy compared to what the arabs have in mind. In my opinion east and west is like water and oil. It doesnt mix. And left long enough there will fire on the water. All it takes is a spark.

LilacDragon · Post by **LilacDragon** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 7:57 am

Well, I don't remember the body count from the World Trade Center Attack on 9/11 but I do remember civilians in Middle Eastern countries partying in the streets because of it!

But then, I guess we brought that on ourselves.

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 8:04 am

Scrat wrote: I'm trying to point out the lack of mutual respect I see in all of this, everything. Not just the cartoons.

It seems to me that both sides are over the edge.

Sorry for having a different opinion. :-3

Whats wrong with a different opinion?

Of course they are ALL over the edge. And considering those cartoons were published in september, why all of the fuss now? They need to quit trying to convert the west to islam. If they want to live in western countries, then they need to accept that westerners do things different. Do you think their countries would be as open to us? I dont think so. Not enough money in the bank of england to even get me to take a vacation there, let alone trying to migrate! I'd have my tongue cut out, beheaded and tossed over the side of a boat inside the first hour!

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 8:04 am

Scrat wrote: I'm trying to point out the lack of mutual respect I see in all of this, everything. Not just the cartoons.

It seems to me that both sides are over the edge.

Sorry for having a different opinion. :-3

It was equating military attacks & acts of war with the cartoon riots that I was objecting to. The outrage was not up to that amim's standard, so he stirred the pot. The reaction had been proportional up to that point.

LilacDragon · Post by **LilacDragon** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 8:14 am

I am all for MUTUAL respect. But it is starting to look to me like, until we hand the Muslim Extremists the key to the world and start doing things their way, they will find a way to stir the pot.

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 8:47 am

which brings us back to square one........the west has done everything it can to accomodate these people. But there is a line. Enough is enough.

Adam Zapple · Post by **Adam Zapple** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 11:26 pm

I'm sorry, exactly what is Denmark apologizing for? I would think it is the criminals who own an apology.

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 1:54 am

posted by scrat

This is about control of resources dearheart, why do you think we are still occupying Iraq? This is about control of the Mid East. Who holds the keys?

It's not working though is it? The days when superpowers could do what they want are just about gone. Politically middle eastern policy is a disaster, economically it's becoming one yet all ytou get is never mind the reasons it all hapopened let's deal with the siuation now. If you can't understand the reasons for a situation how can you begin to deal with the consequences before things get out of hand?

posted by lilac dragon

I am all for MUTUAL respect. But it is starting to look to me like, until we hand the Muslim Extremists the key to the world and start doing things their way, they will find a way to stir the pot.

They don't have to try very hard, most extremists start out with very little support but gain it as their actions result in an extreme response ansd especially when the only option given is do as they are told.

Look at Palestine, hamas get elected to power, so what happens the palestinians get told to go back and vote in the right people and the Israelis and the west refuse to talk to them.

You may not like terrorists but if they gain political support in their countries you have to talk to them be they Hamas, Nelson Mandela or Sinn Fein. You either talk or keep on warring there is no third option where people turn round and just cave in. By not even acknowledging that maybe the Palestinians have point all that is left is conflict. You can't change the past but surely you can learn from it.

I'd be willing to bet that Syria and Libya are not too happy about fundamentalists getting too firm a grip since it is unlikely they want to be replaced by Mullahs.

These cartoons are being used by fundamentalists to stir things up, personbally I think we should tell all religons to grow up and accept that their beliefs do not deserve special respect, do away with the blasphemy laws, in this day and age the concept is ridiculous anyway.

There are religious fundamentalists on all side that want to stir things up and see this as some foretold event- a clash of civilistions.

International terrorism started in the seventies with the PLO out of desperation because no one took their plight seriously, we've had the Red Brigade, IRA ,ETA, and umpteen others. the present lot got going in the eighties thanks to western help getting the taliban in to power, it's a moot point they would have succeeded without it. Anyone who thinks what is happening today has no connection to the past must be on a different planet.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 6:05 am

So we should just apologize for getting within their blast area? Take a page from the Spanish? Build mosques on every block with a compass on every corner so we'll know which way to face?

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:00 am

Accountable wrote: So we should just apologize for getting within their blast area? Take a page from the Spanish? Build mosques on every block with a compass on every corner so we'll know which way to face?

What point are you trying to make?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3500728.stm

The Spanish government had always maintained it would never consider entering talks with the armed group unless it renounced violence.

The ruling Popular Party campaigned for re-election in part on its tough line against Eta and its defence of Spain's constitution in the face of demands for greater autonomy from the Basque country and Catalonia.

But 11 March bomb attacks in Madrid introduced a new factor in the equation.

The Popular Party initially said the attacks were the work of Eta, although the finger of blame soon moved to point at Islamist groups.

The electorate rejected the government and voted in the opposition Socialist Party, partly because the Popular Party was perceived to have misled them.

Eta made several statements denying involvement in the attacks.

In the wake of the bombings, Eta is now thought to no longer believe that it can achieve its aims by violence.

Or were you refering to the fact the Spanish people got rid of a government that tried to lie to them?

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:18 am

I'm just frustrated. We shouldn't have attacked Iraq in the first place, IMO, but we're there. We've made a commitment and the innocent people of Iraq are depending on us.

I could not care (much) less about how the Danes handle their situation. I think it's weird that people immigrate to a foreign land and then complain that they're being treated as outsiders, especially since their own homeland would likely be the same way if not worse.

Jives · Post by **Jives** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:57 am

Raven wrote: In my opinion east and west is like water and oil. It doesnt mix. And left long enough there will fire on the water. All it takes is a spark.

Nice visual imagry there, Raven!

How hypocritical is it that Muslim newspapers have for years published cartoons depicting Jesus in a negative light, but they get incensed when the tables are turned.

Good for the goose, good for the gander, says I.:rolleyes:

LilacDragon · Post by **LilacDragon** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 12:20 pm

And why is it that the list of things that I can't ship to Iraq is LLLooooooonnnnngggggg, so that what is in the package isn't offensive, and yet the local church here can't put a nativity scene on it's own property at Christmas because it may be offensive? Or what about that whole thing around the holidays when British members where being told that to use Piglet in a fund raising advertisement wasn't allowed because it would offend the local Muslims?

I am NOT frustrated. I AM angry!

Jives · Post by **Jives** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 12:48 pm

Accountable wrote: I'm just frustrated. We shouldn't have attacked Iraq in the first place, IMO, but we're there. We've made a commitment and the innocent people of Iraq are depending on us. .

You, Far, and I have pretty much the same opinion. I completely understood Afghanistan. After all, the Taliban was there and so were Al Qaeda's training grounds and HQ. But Iraq mystified me from the start.

Strangely, Afghanistan seems to be pretty quiet these days, but Iran is still a hotbed.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 1:09 pm

Jives wrote: You, Far, and I have pretty much the same opinion. I completely understood Afghanistan. After all, the Taliban was there and so were Al Qaeda's training grounds and HQ. But Iraq mystified me from the start.

Strangely, Afghanistan seems to be pretty quiet these days, but Iran is still a hotbed.
Yup. One of my earliest posts was about this. It's why I'm so suspicious of the administration (despite my challenging almost anybody accusing the Pres of illegal acts. :p ). It's also why I won't support going into Syria or Iran pre-emptively.

Bez · Post by **Bez** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 1:55 pm

Jives wrote:

Strangely, Afghanistan seems to be pretty quiet these days, but Iran is still a hotbed.

Not so sure Jives.... From the BBC News

UK troops setting up Afghan base

Royal Marines are protecting engineers working on the base

The first troops in an enlarged UK deployment to Afghanistan have begun setting up base.

Several hundred Royal Engineers are building the camp in Lashkar Gar, the capital of southern Helmand province, with protection from 150 Royal Marines.

Around 850 troops are due in place this month, preparing for a deployment of more than 5,000 within six months.

They aim to restore peace and tackle the drugs trade in an area of major Taleban activity and opium production.

Colonel Gordon Messenger, in Helmand, said: "Having the number of troops we will have, operating alongside a similar number of Afghan troops, in the area... will no doubt have a disruptive effect on the narcotics industry, and that will inevitably have... positive implications on the traffic back to the UK."

The Royal Engineers in Helmand are from 39 Regiment, while the Royal Marines are from 42 Commando, whose home base is at Bickleigh, in Devon.

The enlarged British deployment is part of an expanded Nato force in Afghanistan.

Defence Secretary John Reid has said the total number of UK troops in the country at any time will not top 5,700.

This includes a main deployment of 3,300, the 850 conducting preparation work, and about 1,000 troops being sent to the Headquarters Group of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.

Mr Reid earlier this week called on the public to be more understanding of the "unprecedented challenges" faced by UK troops in foreign battle zones.

This followed the emergence of a video apparently showing abuse of Iraqi civilians by UK troops two years ago.

Threat

BBC defence correspondent Paul Wood has said the Taleban promised a wave of suicide bombings in Afghanistan.

Senior British commanders say the new troops arriving will probably attract an increase in attacks, at least initially.

Lt Col Ged Salzano, commanding officer of 42 Commando, said: "The company group is robust enough to look after itself and protect the engineers.

"Conditions are expected to be tough but 42 Commando are well prepared for the task." Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) mission currently numbers about 9,200 troops. It is expected to increase the overall number to about 15,000. The UK takes control of Nato forces in Afghanistan in May.

Jives · Post by **Jives** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 1:56 pm

just out of curiousity, Accountable, what would get you to go to war with Iran?

I'd obviously go to war with them if they used a nuclear weapon, but what about lesser things?

If they said they had developed an atomic weapon?

If they invaded Iraq?

What about something less aggressive like shooting down an allied plane?

Just trying to figure out for myself where the line is drawn in the American consciousness

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 2:02 pm

Jives wrote: just out of curiousity, Accountable, what would get you to go to war with Iran?

I'd obviously go to war with them if they used a nuclear weapon, but what about lesser things?

If they said they had developed an atomic weapon?

If they invaded Iraq?

What about something less aggressive like shooting down an allied plane?

Just trying to figure out for myself where the line is drawn in the American consciousness

I guess the weakest reason I would accept would be a direct terrorist attack traceable to Iran, similar to Afghanistan. I doubt they have the spine for a direct conventional or even nuclear attack.

Jives · Post by **Jives** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 3:36 pm

Yeah, I agree. A more likely scenario would involve a team of terrorists based in Iran committing a terrorist act in the U.S. without sanction from the Iranian government.

Then we'd have the usual denial from Tehran, followed by our response in the form of.....????:-2

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 5:22 am

It wasnt Alexander. It was his 4 generals who divided the conquered after his death. They partitioned the spoils into 4 seperated 'empires'. Ptolemy got egypt and the middle east. From whom descended Cleopatra.

If you actually studied the beginning of Islam, and life of their 'prophet', you might understand an inkling of their madness.

The line has been drawn. The west wish to spread their view of democracy. The east wish to convert everyone to islam. And the body count rises in the middle, where they clash. There is no solution for this. It's a blood feud before our memory.

The west does not trust moderate muslims, due to the fact that everyone can read. The koran specifically prohibits cohabitation with infidels. We are familiar with moderates. We call them 'non practising catholics', to coin a phrase. Extreme islamists, are closer to what the koran actually teaches than the others. Muslims know this. And they will eventually win. After all, the 'christian' west is taught to turn the other cheek and to love your enemy. Muslims know this too.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 6:42 am

The newspaper guy that advertised for and published those cartoons was a knucklehead. It angered many, but had all but blown over until that amim (I can't find his name) lied to foreign Muslim leaders.

That amim is to blame. he is responsible for the deaths of the rioters, not the law enforcement people.