We are sorry

[bom-bim-bom]

http://www.sorrynorwaydenmark.com/

In the middle of all the mayhem surrounding the Danish cartoons controversy, a group of Arab and Muslim youth have set up this website to express their honest opinion, as a small attempt to show the world that the images shown of Arab and Muslim anger around the world are not representative of the opinions of all Arabs. We whole-heartedly apologize to the people of Denmark, Norway and all the European Union over the actions of a few, and we completely condemn all forms of vandalism and incitement to violence that the Arab and Muslim world have witnessed. We hope that this sad episode will not tarnish the great friendship that our peoples have fostered over decades.

The problem with media representation of such issues tends to be that the media only picks up the loudest voices, ignoring the rational ones that do not generate as much noise. Voices that seek tolerance, dialogue and understanding are always drowned out by the more sensationalist loud calls, giving viewers the impression that these views are representative of all the Arab public’s view. This website is a modest attempt at redressing this wrong. We would appreciate it if you could forward the word to as many of your friends as possible.

We will note that we find the cartoons to be incendiary, insulting and very abrasive. We also take issue with the general stance of the Danish Newspaper Jyllands-Posten, which has a reputation for publishing inflammatory material. Yet, it would be wrong to take away their freedom of expression, regardless of how horrid their material is. We affirm our belief in freedom of expression and people’s right to express whatever opinions they hold. However, at the same time there is a need to realize that freedom of expression is a responsibility that should not be used to gratuitously insult people’s beliefs.

When confronted with such a situation, we deplore the use of violence in all its forms, as well as threats of violence and derogatory and racist remarks being thrown in the opposite direction. We condemn the shameful actions carried out by a few Arabs and Muslims around the world that have tarnished our image, and presented us as intolerant and close-minded bigots.

Anyone offended by the content of a publication has a vast choice of democratic and respectful methods of seeking redress. The most obvious are not buying the publication, writing letters to the editor or expressing their opinions in other venues. It is also possible to use one’s free choice in a democracy to conduct a boycott of the publication, and even a boycott of firms dealing with it. Yet an indiscriminate boycott of all the country’s firms is simply uncalled for and counter-productive. We would be allowing the extremists on both sides to prevail, while punishing the government and the whole population for the actions of an unrepresentative irresponsible few.

We apologize whole-heartedly to the people of Norway and Denmark for any offense this sorry episode may have caused, to any European who has been harassed or intimidated, to the staff of the Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Embassies in Syria whose workplace has been destroyed and for any distress this whole affair may have caused to anyone.

There is a strong tradition of friendship and cooperation between the Norwegian and Danish people and Arab people. Of most note is the continued support that these governments give to the Palestinian people in their struggle for freedom and liberation, and the brave stance that these governments have often taken to defend Palestinian rights. We sincerely hope these special bonds will not be broken. We hope that our Scandinavian friends would not be convinced by the actions of a few to believe that this is how Arabs and Muslims feel about them. There are racists, bigots and criminals in all countries, and it is the duty of the respectful and reasonable to reach out to each other.

Let us hope that instead of emboldening the bigots, this sorry affair will bring all open-minded, tolerant and reasonable people from the Arab, Muslim, Norwegian, Danish and European communities together to unite in a continued struggle of reason against prejudice, open-mindedness against bigotry and humanity against racism.

[bom-bim-bom]

http://www.sorrynorwaydenmark.com/ad...book/index.php

Ziad
Location:
Dubai

Although appalled by the drawings, I condemn the actions we have been seeing in recent days as these only reinforce the image that we as Arab Muslims have earned in the eyes of a portian of the western world due to a handful of rotten apples. Any mildly educated Muslim person who has taken the time to read the Quran can see that Islam is about moderation and not violence. Point and case, when The Prophet (PBU) was marching towards mequa with his followers and was being stoned they held ranks and continued to march in peace. If we do not agree with something, we can get our message through like civilised people not like animals, which a few people are making us out to look like. The violent and disgusting events of recent days should have never happened and we as a people should ensure that they stop and never happen again!

jad
Location:
-

i'm glad because people like those who did this website bring us back our pride in being arabs.

Rachid
Location:
Deutschland

Hope we will reach a day where bridges between different cultures are completely set... We won't need to say sorry when this will be accomplished.. I say sorry for what happened in Lebanon but it wasn't only like the danish consulate is the target.. It was a trial to attract the lebanese people to a new civil war.. Some arab states tried to make regional benefits of this whole silly issue..

Zaruc
Location:
Oslo, Norway

I'm a pakistani livig in Norway so it's easy for me to see that it's not Norway or Denmark who does such a disrespectfull thing, but media.

But for them who live in the middle east, it's difficult to see this, because they think that Norway and Denmark allow people to disrespect islam.

And i do agree with this webpage, i'm sorry that european people who got nothing to do with the muhammed-drawings get hurt.

Great webpage, Peace

Fouad
Location:
Dubai

reaction from the muslim World has been completely disproportionate!

etc. etc.

This is a collection of muslim voices from the first 2 pages of the guestbook (sorrynorwaydenmark.com). There are already apprx 2500 messages.

If one gets past the few (still too many) posts full of insane hatred vs muslims is a very pleasant read. It gives back hope.