Indignation, Apology and 12 Cartoons

Carsten Juste, Editor-in-Chief of the controversial Danish newspaper, Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten, that published the controversial cartoons blaspheming the Prophet Mohammad has published what tantamounts to an apology on February 8, 2006.

The "apology" has brought to fore facts that we never knew before and I personally feel that this should, at least, temper the violence. Unfortunately, there seem to be some quarters who do not like the idea of a final resolution to the "conflict" because after the "apology", more violent demonstrations against the cartoons, the newspaper and Denmark, as a country have erupted.

What else do these quarters want? A full scale conflict between Denmark and its allies and them? Why is there an apparent effort to escalate the situation. I am afraid that what seems to be sporadic demonstrations around the globe is actually a systematic effort from these quarters to heighten our Muslim brothers' anger over the blasphemous cartoons. There is a clear effort to rally Muslims. Despite repeated appeals from moderate Muslims, the flag-burning demonstrations wouldn't stop. Worse, some of these demonstrations have caused lives. Worst, some of these demonstrations are staged after prayers.

I symphatize with Muslim friends and other sensible Muslims -who are in the majority - who called for constructive actions to denounce the blasphemy because they have to endure the negative backlash the few radicals are causing them.

The wrong committed by the Danish paper does not justify another wrong committed by these few. How would they deserve justice if they, themselves, cannot be just? The negative and retaliatory acts do not do them any good.

Anyway, here's Juste's statement:

Offentliggjort 8. februar 2006 12:00

Honourable Fellow Citizens of the Muslim World

Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten is a strong proponent of democracy and freedom of religion. The newspaper respects the right of any human being to practise his or her religion. Serious misunderstandings in respect of some drawings of the Prophet Mohammed have led to much anger and, lately, also boycott of Danish goods in Muslim countries.

Please allow me to correct these misunderstandings.

On 30 September last year, Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten published 12 different cartoonists' idea of what the Prophet Mohammed might have looked like. The initiative was taken as part of an ongoing public debate on freedom of expression, a freedom much cherished in Denmark.

In our opinion, the 12 drawings were sober. They were not intended to be offensive, nor were they at variance with Danish law, but they have indisputably offended many Muslims for which we apologize.

Since then a number of offensive drawings have circulated in The Middle East which have never been published in Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten and which we would never have published, had they been offered to us. We would have refused to publish them on the grounds that they violated our ethical code.

Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten attaches importance to upholding the highest ethical standards based upon the respect of our fundamental values. It is so much more deplorable, therefore, that these drawings were presented as if they had anything to do with Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten.

Maybe because of culturally based misunderstandings, the initiative to publish the 12 drawings has been interpreted as a campaign against Muslims in Denmark and the rest of the world.

I must categorically dismiss such an interpretation. Because of the very fact that we are strong proponents of the freedom of religion and because we respect the right of any human being to practise his or her religion, offending anybody on the grounds of their religious beliefs is unthinkable to us.

That this happened was, consequently, unintentional.

As a result of the debate that has been going on about the drawings, we have met with representatives of Danish Muslims, and these meetings were held in a positive and constructive spirit. We have also sought in other ways to initiate a fruitful dialogue with Danish Muslims.

It is the wish of Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten that various ethnic groups should live in peace and harmony with each other and that the debates and disagreements which will always exist in a dynamic society should do so in an atmosphere of mutual respect.

For that reason, Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten has published many articles describing the positive aspects of integration, for example in a special supplement entitled The Contributors. It portrayed a number of Muslims who have had success in Denmark. The supplement was rewarded by the EU Commission.

Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten takes exception to symbolic acts suited to demonise specific nationalities, religions and ethnic groups.

Sincerely yours

Carsten Juste
Editor-in-Chief