NationStates Jolt Archive

http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1219937.ece

Editor apologizes for caricatures

Editor Vebjørn Selbekk of the Christian weekly Magazinet issued Friday a complete apology for his decision to reprint the controversial caricatures of the prophet Mohammed originally run in Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten.

At a joint press conference with the Islamic Council Norway at the Ministry of Labor and Social Inclusion, Selbekk expressed his regrets.

"I personally address the Muslim community to say that I am sorry that your religious feelings are offended by what we did on Jan. 10 when Magazinet published a facsimile of the Danish drawings from Jyllands-Posten. It was never our intention to hurt anyone," Selbekk said.

Selbekk admitted that he had not fully understood how offensive the publication of the caricatures was, and praised Norway's Muslim community for their conduct in response.

"The Muslim community in Norway has tackled this in a dignified and restrained way. You deserve respect and credit for this," Selbekk said, and the editor pointed to the press conference as an example of the strength of Norway's multi-cultural society.

Mohammed Hamdan, leader of the Islamic Council Norway, emphasized that the Koran preached forgiveness.

"Selbekk has children the same age as mine. I want my children and his to grow up together, live together in peace and to be friends," Hamdan said.

Minister of Labor and Social Inclusion Bjarne Håkon Hanssen said that the government had had no active part in the conversations between Selbekk and Hamdan.

"We have a choice in Norway: What will be the consequences of the situation we are in? We can choose to use this situation to create division or we can let this be the basis of a new start and build bridges instead of walls. If Selbekk and Hamdan can build the bridge they have now, we should all be able to do so," Hanssen said.

The editor apologizes for having insulted muslims with the caricatures. The muslim community in Norway officially accept the apology - as well as that the Norwegian government holds no responsibility for the publishings - and hopefully, that's the end of that. If the rest of the world keeps on raging about this, so be it. If we can show the rest of the world that we can settle this matter among ourselves in a decent manner, then that's what matters to me.

Finally some sense.

meh, it's just kowtowing to radical muslims.

Shouldn't bow down to violence.

No it is being a bigger person.

Admitting that they were wrong, which they were, and trying to calm emotions.

being a bigger person by apologizing for freedom of speech? Apologizing for a satirical cartoon?

This "outrage" is ridiculous.

Somehow I doubt taking away the rioter's excuse for violence will really stop them.

:rolleyes:

meh, it's just kowtowing to radical muslims.

Shouldn't bow down to violence.
Agreed. Now, instead of seeing us as insolent heathens, they will begin calling us spineless cowards.

No it is being a bigger person.

Admitting that they were wrong, which they were, and trying to calm emotions.

Question: is it wrong when they do it, but perfectly allright when Muslems do the exact same ?

:rolleyes:

let me guess. you were more "outraged" at this cartoon crap than you were at the nick berg video getting his head cut off....

Question: is it wrong when they do it, but perfectly allright when Muslems do the exact same ?
Nope, but the point is that no one is on the side of angels here. At least one group--not the one who started this whole mess, but someone--is stepping forward and trying to bring it to a close.

Agreed. Now, instead of seeing us as insolent heathens, they will begin calling us spineless cowards.

Hey I am already a Heathen to you people, that name is taken. Your scum to the Muslim people.

Nope, but the point is that no one is on the side of angels here. At least one group--not the one who started this whole mess, but someone--is stepping forward and trying to bring it to a close.

and in doing so, kowtowing to the radicals, making the west look weak in the eyes of said radicals.

Hey I am already a Heathen to you people, that name is taken. Your scum to the Muslim people.
Amazing how creative the world is when it wants to belittle others.

and in doing so, kowtowing to the radicals, making the west look weak in the eyes of said radicals.
Precisely. They hold little respect for us, and they do demand that we respect Islam. There is no mutual respect. We are showing how the West believes that its values of freedom of speech can be eroded.

Question: is it wrong when they do it, but perfectly allright when Muslems do the exact same ?

Of course not. If they did it, I would say the same thing.

let me guess. you were more "outraged" at this cartoon crap than you were at the nick berg video getting his head cut off....

I feel sorry, for Berg's family, so to answer you question no. However, I think the cartoon flap is about the same, because blood is on the hands of these papers.

and in doing so, kowtowing to the radicals, making the west look weak in the eyes of said radicals.

So, you would be happy for war. Finally some one stepped forward to admit they were sorry. Good.

I wanna know if those involved in the rioting were arrested and charged.

Precisely. They hold little respect for us, and they do demand that we respect Islam. There is no mutual respect. We are showing how the West believes that its values of freedom of speech can be eroded.

Free speech of racist bigotry. If that is free speech, I'd join the crowds.

Eroded, jesus chirst. They are asking you to respect their religion, it might be a little to hard for you people to do something like that, but I guess because you respect the other religions of the world, I guess you can try to respect another religion.

let me guess. you were more "outraged" at this cartoon crap than you were at the nick berg video getting his head cut off....

Because if you think it's okay to respect that most muslims take offence to their prophet being depicted, you obviously condone terrorism.

Question: is it wrong when they do it, but perfectly allright when Muslems do the exact same ?

Muslims in Norway have on the whole been quite reasonable about the whole affair. Really, the neo-Nazis have been much more incendiary over this issue.

Remember, I'm only talking about the situation inside Norway, here. There has been a lot of idiocy going on outside of Norway, but things taken into consideration, muslims in Norway have acted commendable. A few idiots calling in death threats was pretty much the climax, apart from the guy who got stabbed by neo-nazis.

I feel sorry, for Berg's family, so to answer you question no. However, I think the cartoon flap is about the same, because blood is on the hands of these papers.
that's sad... a innoncent trying to help iraqi infrastructure being killed versus people rioting and getting killed over a cartoon is the same in your eyes?

The blood is not on the "hands of the papers" but the hands of the people who do violence because of the cartoon.

So, you would be happy for war. Finally some one stepped forward to admit they were sorry. Good.
when will the muslims apologize?

and in doing so, kowtowing to the radicals, making the west look weak in the eyes of said radicals.
Is that what you're concerned about? Looking weak? What a pathetic life you must lead, constantly having to pull down your pants to show the world you have pubes.

Free speech of racist bigotry. If that is free speech, I'd join the crowds.

Eroded, jesus chirst. They are asking you to respect their religion, it might be a little to hard for you people to do something like that, but I guess because you respect the other religions of the world, I guess you can try to respect another religion.
Not really. Islam demands respect towards it, whilst at the same time maintaining the belief that all other religions are lesser. The aspect of Dhimmitude encapsulates this.

You should be allowed to say whatever you want, so long as you do not actually incite violence towards a social group. Those cartoons did not incite violence. People often mock Christianity, and some could say they incite violence against Christians. Nevertheless, they are not silenced.

Of course not. If they did it, I would say the same thing.

They have in fact been doing it - and more- for the past few decades.

Now - I agree that the paper should not have published the Danish cartoons in the first place. They are offensive, not that good and weren't part of any serious statement other than "we like to be jerks".
However, most of the people who are protesting this liked the cartoons when they targetted someone else. They laughed about much, much more offensive cartoons, with no intention of ever saying sorry. Others may have not liked them, but they didn't speak up against them either.

The apology now made therefor boils down to: "we are sorry we sunk to your level".

Fredrom of speech.

The right to make caricatyres and jokes about authorities.

The right to feel safe from being shot by our own religious parties and
the abscene of threats of violence.

Appeantly we have no right to safety or right to tolerense
from being threat of war other countries.

It is not a acceptable life to refraim from directing jokes and critic towards
religious organisations.

I cannot accept such a country that encouages this kind of mass protest
as modern and equal.
It goes against democratic values.

Integrity for religion ends outside you own body and your own home.

that's sad... a innoncent trying to help iraqi infrastructure being killed versus people rioting and getting killed over a cartoon is the same in your eyes?

The blood is not on the "hands of the papers" but the hands of the people who do violence because of the cartoon.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Chechen Republic
So, you would be happy for war. Finally some one stepped forward to admit they were sorry. Good.

when will the muslims apologize?

For the outrage against their religion. I hope they don't apologize.

For burning down embassies, I hope they do.

Free speech of racist bigotry. If that is free speech, I'd join the crowds.

Eroded, jesus chirst. They are asking you to respect their religion, it might be a little to hard for you people to do something like that, but I guess because you respect the other religions of the world, I guess you can try to respect another religion.

How ironic that you break the Third Commandment in your plea to respect other religions.

Is that what you're concerned about? Looking weak? What a pathetic life you must lead, constantly having to pull down your pants to show the world you have pubes.
It's about protecting the Western world and its values. If we are not true to our beliefs and principles, then we have little integrity at all.

If we remain silent on everything, we debate nothing, we discuss nothing. We become intellectually braindead. Quelling free speech is idiotic.

Because if you think it's okay to respect that most muslims take offence to their prophet being depicted, you obviously condone terrorism.
it's okay for them to depict images of the holocaust like they said they would do?

man, that was an off the wall analogy you gave.



Muslims in Norway have on the whole been quite reasonable about the whole affair. Really, the neo-Nazis have been much more incendiary over this issue.

Remember, I'm only talking about the situation inside Norway, here. There has been a lot of idiocy going on outside of Norway, but things taken into consideration, muslims in Norway have acted commendable. A few idiots calling in death threats was pretty much the climax, apart from the guy who got stabbed by neo-nazis.
sure they have. but i'm talking about muslims in the ME, not Norway. Most muslims in western countries have protested peacefully.

Is that what you're concerned about? Looking weak? What a pathetic life you must lead, constantly having to pull down your pants to show the world you have pubes.

The concept of "honour" carries far - and I mean *far* more weight in the Arab world than it does here. Keep that in mind.

Is that what you're concerned about? Looking weak? What a pathetic life you must lead, constantly having to pull down your pants to show the world you have pubes.
i've already seen you insert your foot in your mouth, so i don't care if you call me weak or not.

but think of this, if you think my attitude makes my life pathetic, what does that mean to the radical muslims? I am sure they are 100% more concerned w/ weakness than i am.

Thanks and fuck off.

For the outrage against their religion. I hope they don't apologize.

For burning down embassies, I hope they do.


yah, i'm all for being mad and protesting. but do it peacefully damnit. There is no reason to burn down or destroy shit to get your point across.

It's about protecting the Western world and its values. If we are not true to our beliefs and principles, then we have little integrity at all.

If we remain silent on everything, we debate nothing, we discuss nothing. We become intellectually braindead. Quelling free speech is idiotic.
I've never suggested that we should quell debate, or that we should quell free speech, but it's about damn time that people realized that the world is far more than the western part of it, and that your speech can have far reaching consequences. The reaction of the Muslim community in Iran and Syria has been over the top, no doubt, but the original posting of those cartoons--cartoons that had no other purpose than to piss people off, mind you--was also over the top.

And you may want to ask yourself this--if being deliberately offensive to a group's religious beliefs and if refusing to apologize for being a dick is part of the western world's beliefs and principles, then are our beliefs and principles really worth defending?

And you may want to ask yourself this--if being deliberately offensive to a group's religious beliefs and if refusing to apologize for being a dick is part of the western world's beliefs and principles, then are our beliefs and principles really worth defending?
Being deliberately offensive and apologising for the deeds would be the responsibility of the individual who committed the said deeds, not the Western world as a whole. Our duty is to uphold a person's right to express their ideas. By apologising for them, in a way we associate ourselves with them. Individuals could easily publish articles expressing sympathy to the Muslims, and putting down the cartoonists. National governments should stay out of it in any official capacity.

i've already seen you insert your foot in your mouth, so i don't care if you call me weak or not.

but think of this, if you think my attitude makes my life pathetic, what does that mean to the radical muslims? I am sure they are 100% more concerned w/ weakness than i am.

Thanks and fuck off.
Why should you worry what radical muslims think? Do you live in Baghdad? Teheran? Damascus? Or do you live, as most people who frequent this board do, in the US or Europe or Australia? Because if you live in one of those three places, you have way more to fear from street crime or traffic or global warming than you do from radical muslims. it's fear that makes your reaction to this sort of thing pathetic.

Being deliberately offensive and apologising for the deeds would be the responsibility of the individual who committed the said deeds, not the Western world as a whole. Our duty is to uphold a person's right to express their ideas. By apologising for them, in a way we associate ourselves with them. Individuals could easily publish articles expressing sympathy to the Muslims, and putting down the cartoonists. National governments should stay out of it in any official capacity.
From what I read, the person apologizing was one of the people who published the cartoons. He's got a responsibility to apologize, since he was part of the problem. I'm not suggesting anyone else should apologize. They printed the cartoons, they need to carry the weight for that action.

From what I read, the person apologizing was one of the people who published the cartoons. He's got a responsibility to apologize, since he was part of the problem. I'm not suggesting anyone else should apologize. They printed the cartoons, they need to carry the weight for that action.
Indeed. My argument is more directed towards the EU itself, with the new propositions its trying to come up with.

Why should you worry what radical muslims think? Do you live in Baghdad? Teheran? Damascus? Or do you live, as most people who frequent this board do, in the US or Europe or Australia? Because if you live in one of those three places, you have way more to fear from street crime or traffic or global warming than you do from radical muslims. it's fear that makes your reaction to this sort of thing pathetic.
Whether i do or not the reason to worry is terrorism. Do i want to have it happen where i live? no. Do i want it to happen somewhere i don't live? no. Why is worrying about that pathetic?

it's okay for them to depict images of the holocaust like they said they would do?

man, that was an off the wall analogy you gave.

It was no analogy. Though I can see that it went right over your head.

sure they have. but i'm talking about muslims in the ME, not Norway. Most muslims in western countries have protested peacefully.

This thread, in case you didn't read the opening post or the thread title, is about muslims in Norway, and not about muslims in the Middle East. This, I specifically stated in the opening post. I don't really see how you could get that confused.

A Norwegian editor says he's sorry that he offended muslims with the drawings, and the muslim community accept. No talk about limiting freedom of speech. Just that offending people's religion just because you have the right to is not very nice, and would you please not do that, thank you. Case closed. Everyone are once again getting along in the realm of sunshine, and the extremists can crawl back into their holes, because there is not going to be any clash of civilizations in Norway.