We have probably all heard of the infamous cartoons supposedly depicting the prophet Muhammad that were published in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten in late 2005.  

This summer, it appears, the youth wing of the highly xenophobic Danish People’s Party felt it needed to contribute caricatures of its own. What exquisite sense of humour and good taste from the flower of Denmark’s youth.  

Actually, I did not either draw or publish any of those cartoons. Neither did a lot of other Danes. But we still have to suffer accusations, threats and outright violence directed at all Danes and the whole nation of Denmark. 

Curiously, it is an experience we share with the vast majority of the world’s Muslims. They are similarly not guilty of the crimes committed by fellow Muslims gone astray. Yet they know what it is like to be branded and suspected through unreasonable generalisations. 

Neither Jyllands-Posten nor Danish People’s Party Youth represent Denmark, the Danish People as a whole, or me. They represent themselves. I fail to see why Danish embassies or flags should be burned because of the actions of one newspaper.  

On the same note, I would never blame all Muslims indiscriminately if, for instance, a crackpot suicide bomber takes the lives of X number of people in the name of Allah, or if he steals a bottle of water from a shop for that matter. It is the principle that counts.  

He – the wrongdoer – has no authority to act on behalf of the one billion plus followers of Islam in the world today, just as Jyllands-Posten has no authority to act on behalf of the Danish people. 

I am not saying that no one in Denmark supports the newspaper and the publication of the cartoons, but there is a multitude of opinions on this matter within the country. 

The issue is a fairly complex one.  

Likewise, there are many opinions and interpretations within the religion of Islam. 

The point is: Blame the wrongdoer, not the ones who happen to live close to him or happen to share his faith.  

Generalizations are artificial creations of our mind at its most simple. 

Apologies and other disagreements 

When the cartoon row was at its peak in early 2006, several voices from within Muslim communities repeatedly asked for an apology from the Danish government. For all its flaws – and there are many - the Danish government had no part in the publication of the cartoons. To ask for an apology in this case is absurd. 

However, to ask it from the newspaper in question would make sense. It carries the responsibility. 

It is vital that we all respect each other and our differences and that we do not allow ourselves to be guided by misconceptions, essentialism and hidden agendas.  

Thus, it is necessary that we open our eyes and minds and put ourselves in other people’s places. 

I am not going to defend the cartoons. I do not personally like them nor the message they convey.  

I do agree with Jyllands-Posten that debate on certain topics regarding Muslims in Denmark is needed. But to start such a debate by spitting people figuratively in their faces is not very fruitful. 

But do I believe the newspaper or the, well, artists should be legally punished? Of course not.  

In February 2006, Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi shut down indefinitely newspaper “The Sarawak Tribune” because it had reprinted the cartoons.  

The Danish government does not have that power.  

In Denmark we have freedom of expression and press freedom. This is Danish law. We must all respect the laws of other countries, whether we like them or not.  

Accordingly, we are all free to express our disapproval, protest, disgust or what have you of the cartoons. A lot of Danes have chosen to do just that. But that does not make it to the headlines. 

Our dark side 

The Danish flag when it is not burning

According to an article published in the Indonesian newspaper “Republika” in early October, the radio station “Radikal” had announced a drawing competition titled “Denmark’s king and pigs.” 

Targeting the entire Danish population for the wrongdoings of the fools from the DPPY this summer, “Radikal” promised 5 million rupiah (US$548) to the one who could make the best cartoon of the Danish king with some pigs. The cartoon would then be sent to Denmark. 

However, the radio station failed to see two things.  

Firstly, Danes are easy-going people. We have a long tradition of satire. We make fun of ourselves all the time. A cartoon of the Danish monarch with some pigs would hardly lift any eyebrows.  

Secondly, we do not have a king.  

On a more serious note, I am the first one to admit that we have problems in Denmark. Not many years ago, we were known as a tolerant, friendly and liberal country. Those days are over. 

Unfortunately, certain forces inside Danish society have reacted to an increasingly globalized world by pandering to the lowest common denominator. Xenophobia and “Islamophobia” are on the rise.  

I am ashamed to say that the DPP got 13.3 per cent of the votes at the parliamentary election in Denmark in 2005. To make matters worse, our present government is more than happy to accommodate DPP’s policies. 

The tone towards non-“Western” foreigners in general and Muslims in particular has become increasingly worse in public debate. The limits for decency and good taste in speaking of other people have gradually been pushed, inch-by-inch.   

Thus, it is no coincidence that the caricatures of Muhammad were published in Denmark. They came out in an environment where the ground was already fertile for such ill-conceived and tasteless cartoons. Fifteen years ago, most Danes would have been appalled by them. 

There are still many of us, though, who do not appreciate the cartoons. We do not want to be associated with them. We understand and regret the impact they have had on Muslims across the world. 

We cannot prevent such cartoons or similar puerilities from surfacing again, but we can and will object, protest and deplore them, and in a peaceful and intelligent manner. 

Violence and vandalism are counterproductive.  

There are many people around with vested interests who will do whatever they can to incite violence and animosity. This goes for narrow-minded, xenophobic politicians who are benefiting from the lowest instincts in their populations.  

This also applies to authoritarian regimes in Islamic nations who are using the anger of the people to their own political benefit.  

This similarly applies to intolerant clerical zealots who, it often turns out, have wholly non-religious reasons of their own to add fuel to the fire.  

During this whole row over the cartoons, these forces have been the only winners. 

And that I am tired of.